The OKC Thunder has been seen as the top team this season. As the defending champions with almost the same core as last year, the Thunder is expected to be the team to beat in this year’s playoffs.
However, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal believes the San Antonio Spurs, the West’s No. 2 seed just behind the Thunder, could legitimately topple OKC in the playoffs. During Inside the NBA before Game 1 of the Thunder’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal expressed concern for OKC if they face the Spurs in the playoffs.
“There is only 1 team that scares me for them, that would be the Spurs,” Shaq said. “I think they can win the championship if they don’t meet the Spurs.”
“Their culture is San Antonio like… There is only 1 team that scares me for them, that would be the Spurs…. I think they can win the championship if they don’t meet the Spurs”
Shaq has a point. The Spurs have been dominant against the Thunder this season, winning four of their five meeting, which include key wins on Christmas Day and in the NBA Cup.
The Thunder only won two more games than the Spurs in the regular season.
The Spurs have looked invincible against the Thunder mainly because of Victor Wembanyama, who has been a matchup nightmare for the team throughout the season.
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game this season. The Thunder had been equipped with incredible perimeter defense, such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and even Chet Holmgren, but none have contained Wembanyama so far this season.
On the other hand, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been carrying the Thunder this season with averages of 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.
For now, the two squads must zero in on their first round matchups. For the Thunder, they must halt the Phoenix Suns, whose squad survived the play-in tournament to secure the No. 8 seed. Meanwhile, the Spurs will deal with the No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers, who defeated the Suns in the first play-in game.
OKC Thunder Has Ruthless Mindset in NBA Title Defense
GettyOKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reveals team mindset for the NBA playoffs.
The Thunder wants to remain as ruthless as ever for their title defense. By doing so, the Thunder is focusing on itself, rather than on everybody else.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault revealed this to reporters days before the playoffs, where their journey back to the promised land will start.
“We’re more focused on our own strengths than we are on the opponents’ strengths or weaknesses,” he said. “You’ve got to kind of win the battle with yourself first. Then, an opponent shows up in front of you, and you, obviously, have to plan to attack that challenge.”
“We’re not really preoccupied with what our opponents are doing, how they’re going to play, what they’re good at, what they’re not good at; we’re trying to get our house in order first.”
The Thunder has a chance to be the first team in eight years to repeat as champions after winning the title last year against the Indiana Pacers in seven games.
Thunder Remains Healthy Entering the Playoffs
GettyOKC Thunder will enter the playoffs healthy.
The Thunder will have their rotation set heading into this year’s NBA playoffs. That included secondary star Jalen Williams and bench pieces Ajayi Mitchell and Alex Caruso, all of whom struggled with injuries this season.
Injuries have hampered the Thunder this season, with most of their games played without at least one of their big three: Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren.
WIth a full lineup, expect the Thunder’s depth to be in full display against the Suns in Round 1 and in the succeeding rounds, if they get the job done in their first series.
OKC Thunder Gets Stern Warning from Shaq About This Western Conference Contender