The Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as the NBA’s most unexpected team during the regular season in 2023–2024. Even the most optimistic predictions could not have predicted this, despite the fact that many people anticipated that they would begin to show advances following their breakdown and reconstruction.
The Thunder not only got better, but they also became one of the NBA’s top teams. They finished the regular season in the top three spots in the Western Conference and earned the first seed in the postseason on the last day of play.
For weeks, Oklahoma City and the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves were engaged in a fierce match. They ultimately prevailed over their Northwest Division rivals to claim the top seed, defeating Denver in a tiebreaker.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a strong candidate for MVP, is in charge of this powerful Thunder team. Their Big 3 to build around are Jalen Williams, an All-Star player, and Chet Holmgren, a promising two-way starter.
Still, not everyone is prepared or convinced to classify the Thunder as one of the NBA’s best teams. One individual exhibiting hesitation is Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL player who is now a commentator.
In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, Sharpe downplayed the Thunder’s accomplishments in the 2023–24 campaign. They rank among the weakest No. 1 seeds he has seen in a very long time.
Even though the average NBA fan may not be familiar with the Thunder, they have earned their spot in the rankings. They constantly played well and had the second-best plus/minus ratio in the league.
But when Sharpe asserts that nobody is afraid of the Thunder, he might have a point. They are novices in NBA postseason basketball and are the youngest No. 1 seed in the Western Conference’s history.
A squad with a lot of veterans and a physical brand of basketball could provide some problems for the Thunder. They are among the NBA’s lowest rebounders, a reflection of their troubles this season.
It can cause some problems in the postseason. However, one should not take the Thunder lightly. Teams should respect them even if they shouldn’t be afraid of them. In the upcoming weeks, Oklahoma City might easily defeat its rivals if they don’t.