Jalen Williams is having the best season of his NBA career. He's taken big strides. But here's why the next steps forward must be in the NBA Playoffs.

Oklahoma City has become a Western power behind the third-year forward, who has used the words of his critics to propel him to All-Star status.

Williams explained the differences between last year's squad and this year's. The 24-year-old earned his first career All-Star bid this season. If the Thunder make a deep playoff run, he must play a big role as OKC's second-best scorer.