Everyone who continues to doubt the Thunder will look foolish when they raise the trophy in June

[DudetheObscure]

Thunder Lakers Celtics


One of these teams. Who knows.

More like "one of these teams is not like the others".

[Ballings7]

I think they're a special, talented team.

But I don't buy them to win the title yet due to their lack of overall size on the wing, and then Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren being unproven as #2 guys in the playoffs. This post season may answer that positively for them, but we'll have to see - they're capable.

If I had to say where OKC end up, its probably not in the Finals, and not winning the title. WCF or less.

[druggas]

Ever hear of, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched?"

[shi-woo]

People have been saying this team was the favorite since the tip off of game 1, and have been the favorites to come out West, even with Chet getting hobbled, and no one is arguing that since the Luka trade took out their greatest threat out West...

It's always come down to if they can beat a healthy Boston team, which is a fair argument since Boston is the current Champs, and can match up well against them. They have more experience, and move Top end talent as well no matter how good you think SGA is compared to Tatum, the next 4 guys, for OKC just like with DAL last year, all are a notch behind their counterparts.

It is a very evenly matched series if it happens, and I think most people who have watched the NBA for a while know that experience and top end talent matter, and that edge goes to the Celtics.

As a Celtic fan though, I do get nervous about a few things. Similar to DAL last year, I'm terrified of SGA getting that favorable whistle and spamming the FT line. Luka is hated and got the Harden treatment instead of the Wade/LeBron treatment, but it remains to be seen how they treat MVP SGA. Hartenstein is a big body that crashes the glass on both ends, while not being their main rim protector, and Celtics have gotten smoked by those types of players since 2008, going on 2 decades now. KP will have Chet on him on the perimeter, or will have to essentially shoot over Dort and JWill, something i'm not excited about.

If OKC doesn't get those two things then I'm not sure they can beat the Celtics, but again, it all comes down to if Chet and KP are there at the end.

OKC will sleepwalk to the finals, the West has been an embarrassment this year with every team except the Lakers/Warriors taking a clear step back. Denver lost even more depth, Minn traded Towns for Randle, DAL gave up on Luka, and PG went to the 76ers. We don't know what challenges OKC will face, whereas we know Boston is going to have a hard matchup against the Knicks and their elite starting 5, and a toss up series against a team with just as much talent and contenuity in the Cavs. That's been more interesting to follow this year than the dumpster fire that is the West.

I'm very curious if Kawhii is healthy how that series would go against OKC though...

[MrPainfulTruth]

The OKC depend on officiating more than any other team since Harden's prime in Houston and Embiids years of prime flopping. They can win it all if the league wants them to, and continues to allow double standards between what they are allowed vs. their opponent. If the league reverts to more balanced, and more physical defense for the post season, we have yet to see how they manage to score. I dont see them beat Boston and even in the west there are teams that are 2-2 with them.

[falcolombardi]

It actually seems weird they've trailed for over 11 minutes per game.

Some games (both losses or eventual wins) they got down early and trailed most of the game

The first boston game and the loss against cleveland for example

[falcolombardi]

The OKC depend on officiating more than any other team since Harden's prime in Houston and Embiids years of prime flopping. They can win it all if the league wants them to, and continues to allow double standards between what they are allowed vs. their opponent. If the league reverts to more balanced, and more physical defense for the post season, we have yet to see how they manage to score. I dont see them beat Boston and even in the west there are teams that are 2-2 with them.

Imagine if our bottom 5 free throw rate and top 5 fta attempts by rivals changed as refs swallow their whistle

Whetever will we do without our negative 4-5 free throws disadvantage!

[MavsDirk41]

I guess it’ll depend on if they’re allowed to foul on every defensive possession in the playoffs like they are in the regular season. If they can keep mugging guys they’ll win the title. If they get fouls called against them like the other 29 teams they’ll be in Cancun by May.

[Godymas]

OKC vs. Boston finals, and I think OKC will do it. Boston will lose, Boston needs a slight shake-up

[Special_Puppy]

The OKC depend on officiating more than any other team since Harden's prime in Houston and Embiids years of prime flopping. They can win it all if the league wants them to, and continues to allow double standards between what they are allowed vs. their opponent. If the league reverts to more balanced, and more physical defense for the post season, we have yet to see how they manage to score. I dont see them beat Boston and even in the west there are teams that are 2-2 with them.

Imagine if our bottom 5 free throw rate and top 5 fta attempts by rivals changed as refs swallow their whistle

Whetever will we do without our negative 4-5 free throws disadvantage!

Where does the idea that OKC has a huge FT advantage come from? Is it literally just Shai?

[MavsDirk41]

OKC vs. Boston finals, and I think OKC will do it. Boston will lose, Boston needs a slight shake-up

I agree with this. I think OKC’s youth will wear Boston out. I really think OKC could make the finals the next few years.

[MrPainfulTruth]

The OKC depend on officiating more than any other team since Harden's prime in Houston and Embiids years of prime flopping. They can win it all if the league wants them to, and continues to allow double standards between what they are allowed vs. their opponent. If the league reverts to more balanced, and more physical defense for the post season, we have yet to see how they manage to score. I dont see them beat Boston and even in the west there are teams that are 2-2 with them.

Imagine if our bottom 5 free throw rate and top 5 fta attempts by rivals changed as refs swallow their whistle

Whetever will we do without our negative 4-5 free throws disadvantage!

Where does the idea that OKC has a huge FT advantage come from? Is it literally just Shai?

I never said that. Its the usual defense of OKC fans. The advantage they have is the double standard officiating. Remember when that coach had an open out burst about it? But probably all ignorant haters.

[bisme37]

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

They are still a very young team but they're mature.

People often assume a person's age = their maturity level. I think we all know that isn't true across the board.

I'm sure in all our personal lives we've ran across a 20 year old who presents and carries themselves as if they were in their mid-30s or someone who is in their 30s who still has a childish, immature mindset.

I think most people point to the Thunder's antics during postgame interviews and assume the team is still too immature. But I'll counter by pointing out that when it comes to the actual "on the clock stuff", e.g., their work habits; preparedness for their opponents; steady/no panic mentality when they fall behind by double digits; etc., this team is as mature as they come.

I look at the interview stuff as a group of friends goofing off after work. Nothing more than simple home/office code switching that most of us do.

It's not about maturity to me as much as experience and learning from said experience. My thoughts on this have been informed by the Celtics journey over the Jays era, so maybe it's unfair (or just wrong) to assume every young team will have the same journey, but I watched the C's have the best record in the league and look amazing in the RS and then still find out they're not quite ready to win it all. ECFs several times and a Finals loss before the guys learned what it took and added to the games individually and as a team. The basketball part is one thing but then there is the extremely grueling physical and mental part to it.

This Thunder group feels destined to win a title or two but they haven't been past the 2nd round yet. So if I'm wrong I will find out soon enough haha, but I think they are still a year or two away. You don't develop a championship mindset until you get there and understand what that entails.

[Special_Puppy]

Imagine if our bottom 5 free throw rate and top 5 fta attempts by rivals changed as refs swallow their whistle

Whetever will we do without our negative 4-5 free throws disadvantage!

Where does the idea that OKC has a huge FT advantage come from? Is it literally just Shai?

I never said that. Its the usual defense of OKC fans. The advantage they have is the double standard officiating. Remember when that coach had an open out burst about it? But probably all ignorant haters.

What double officiating standard?

[RoyceDa59]

The difference is they don’t have any championship DNA on their team yet.

I do think they’ll win ring(s) but if they fell short this year after a deep run where they overcame some big challenges, I’d still see it as a success.

They should still be the favorites in the West.

[cgf]

Thunder Lakers Celtics


One of these teams. Who knows.

Agreed. Definitely either the Celtics, Cavs, Thunder, or Knicks.

[Dadouv47]

Imagine if our bottom 5 free throw rate and top 5 fta attempts by rivals changed as refs swallow their whistle

Whetever will we do without our negative 4-5 free throws disadvantage!

Where does the idea that OKC has a huge FT advantage come from? Is it literally just Shai?

I never said that. Its the usual defense of OKC fans. The advantage they have is the double standard officiating. Remember when that coach had an open out burst about it? But probably all ignorant haters.

People acting like the Thunder is the Lakers and the NBA wants to win. Wait the postseason to see how they are going to call everything on Luka and not on Shai.

we play a very physical defense so we get away with some calls but the "double standard" stuff is weird.

[Blame Rasho]

Ever hear of, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched?"

Pretty much.

A 7 game series is completely different than regular season. You can get some players who just go on a “ I am a bad mofo” and elevate teams above “better teams” for 7 games. There are such players like LeBron, Luka, Joker, Curry, and Butler to face.

I am excited to see how the playoffs will come out. There is a legit chance that there can be 8 different teams that win a championship in 8 years.

[Capn'O]

They also have the highest SRS of all time. They're really well constructed and adding iHart and Caruso to last years squad without losing anyone they _needed_ was a coup. This is a really good team.

Boston's team is also excellent - kinda playing possum until late season/the playoffs - and if Cleveland or another team takes them down then they're a force to reckon with as well. No guarantees but I'd have the Thunder as a clear favorite.

[Capn'O]

This Thunder group feels destined to win a title or two but they haven't been past the 2nd round yet. So if I'm wrong I will find out soon enough haha, but I think they are still a year or two away. You don't develop a championship mindset until you get there and understand what that entails.

SGA played like a champ last year. Any other analysis is like saying Joker didn't have champ DNA when he was dominating the playoffs between 2020-22 but had no help. It's more a question of whether the other guys can step up. Also, they were able to fill the very clear holes from last year's team. Healthy, this is a juggernaut.