The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets appear to be knocking on the doorways of the Western Convention, however ought to Oklahoma Metropolis lightning be a priority?
For almost all of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder is the most effective group within the Western Convention and a runaway favourite to play the finals.
This season, the Thunder boasts the best defensive and internet score, with the fifth highest offensive score. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is his first MVP award-winning entrance runner, and Vibrant Future, outfitted with OKC’s draft decide, suggests he’ll turn into a key participant for the following few seasons.
However each the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets are using Sizzling Streak to maneuver up the rankings. On prime of that, the Golden State Warriors are among the playoff groups after including Jimmy Butler.
Just like the Boston Celtics, the Thunder has a transparent first choice, and there are many high-level position gamers round him.
Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Hartenstein can all arise on this event, but when the SGA double-teamed or injured within the playoffs, Thunder could not be capable of compete.
“Does anybody belief that when you take the ball out of Shy Zilgas Alexander’s hand, whatever the huge quantity of expertise on that group, who can step up when counting to ship objects?” requested Stephen A. Smith on ESPN.
“Is it doable that you just’re asking about OKC now that you recognize Luka, LeBron, Jokic, and so forth.? Is it doable that OKC has decreased your stage of confidence in them?”
Smith’s argument is technically sound, however flawed for 2 major causes.
The baseline for Smith’s argument is that the ball must be within the arms of the SGA for lightning to succeed. To begin with, Williams is away from his first profession All-Star nod and might arise on the alternative if mandatory.
Secondly, if Smith changed Gilgauss Alexander with one other star, he might make the identical case.
If the Timberwolves win a poor recreation from Anthony Edwards, Jokic’s Nuggets, James’ Lakers, or Stephen Curry’s Warriors, and naturally the group will wrestle. All playoff groups want the most effective gamers to play on the highest stage to be able to rush the Gauntlet, the NBA postseason.
The Lakers and Warriors, and to a point, the Nuggets are new youngsters this month, however the sustained domination of lightning has not disappeared simply because they misplaced the Timberwolves’ recreation. Within the 7-Recreation Sequence, OKC stays essentially the most harmful group.
