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This Thunder team is historically great. After tonight's beatdown of the Pacers, they have tied the 2017 Warriors for the second most double-digit wins in a season. They also have a 13.2+ net rating on the season, trailing only the 96 Bulls. Unless they get hit with the injury bug, I don't see anyone in the league beating them this year.

The doubt for them reminds me of the people who doubted the 2015 Warriors and, to a lesser extent, the 2023 Nuggets. All the doubters will look foolish they not only win the championship, but dominate every team in the process. Only a healthy Celtics team with Porzingis can stop this monstrous Thunder team. But the odds of Porzingis being healthy are incredibly unlikely. This Thunder team may not lose more than 3 games all postseason long.

This is the next dynasty the league has been waiting for. They are going to win 3 of the next 5 titles.

Ok

Let's see how they fare against Boston in the Finals.

They are really a complete team on both ends. Their defense has been consistent and obviously they have the star power. They'd be the favorites in every series in the playoffs so it's all about them playing through that pressure of being the favored team. It's smart money to just bet on them to win it all.

They certainly could win it all, but we also saw a 73 win Warriors team, 67 win Spurs team, 60 win Bucks team, and 52-20 Jazz team lose to teams with worse records in the playoffs.

Nobody really doubts them. They’re clear favorites to win it all and a true powerhouse, not a regular season paper tiger like the Cavs.

Well i would be surprised if they didnt come out of the west at least. They could run the west for the next few years.

They really have no excuse not to come out of the west.

This is still the youngest team in the league so hopefully they can handle the pressure... Insane that OKC is at the point where its finals or bust with an average age of 25~

Ideally have to win one of these next two seasons before all of these extensions get handed out

The Celtics are the team to beat until they get beaten, imo. The big advantage they have is a wealth of playoff experience - a title run, a Finals run in 2022, a myriad of ECF finals runs going back to 2017 for Brown and 2018 for Tatum. On top of that Jrue has a title run with the Bucks under his belt and Horford has a ton of experience with the Hawks under his belt including an ECF run in 2015. In comparison, I think Caruso is the only player on the Thunder who's been past the second round.

Obviously the Thunder are on the short list of teams that can win it all this year - like, they're really freaking good - but I wouldn't take Boston lightly.

I expect them to come out of the West, but wouldn't be surprise if one of Wolves or Nuggets upset them. The upcoming b2b against the Lakers would be interesting, while I think the Lakers no longer have the key piece in AD to slow down SGA, they still have LeBron and now Luka to punish their smaller players

Sure, this has all the benchmarks of a historic team. Said at the beginning of the year they had one of the best defenses I have ever seen college or pro. They've slipped a bit lately defensively, but I expect them to be back on form for the playoffs. Honestly, they should be heavy favorites. Dort should win DPOY. They have the league's best defender and the league's best scorer. They are deep and have difference makers on both ends inside and out. They have great role players. They are physical and can scrap or beat you with finesse. This team doesn't make the finals it would be a big disappointment.

guynumber45 wrote:The doubt for them reminds me of the people who doubted the 2015 Warriors and, to a lesser extent, the 2023 Nuggets. All the doubters will look foolish when they walk through the West mostly unscathed. Only a healthy Celtics team with Porzingis can stop this monstrous Thunder team. But the odds of Porzingis being healthy are incredibly unlikely.

Way to come out and take a stand, with eight games left in the season, and OKC with a 14 game lead!

Gutsy call, backing the favorite! I can understand why you waited before giving us your risky hot take.

Vegas: Thunder are the favorites to win the championship

"Okay doubters"

I have doubts

Thunder Lakers Celtics


One of these teams. Who knows.

They’re the favourites to win the title?

They’re one of the most complete teams I’ve ever seen. Which is wild because I’m told they only have one good player.

Healthy scepticism given they are youngish and unproven in the playoffs.

People forget it's a litte different when a team has weeks of planning versus a day or so.

They are playing fantastic and should be a close favourite for the West but its hard to lock them in without that experience.

Just hope their kryptonite doesn't make it out of the play in to the 8 seed. OKC is 0-3 in games PJ Washington has played against them this season and that's not counting what he did to them last playoffs, 62-9 in games without PJ Washington on the other end is certainly impressive but they still need to avoid PJ Washington

Will they hit a series or key game where the refs with more physical play a given, disallow SGA from piling up the so-called “unethical points?” That could be key.