The Oklahoma City Thunder came to the Western Conference Playoffs as the No.1 seed. Recently, ESPN named their biggest strength. With the NBA Playoffs well underway, the Oklahoma City Thunder look like their time is now.
In the first round, they were able to handle the New Orleans Pelicans rather easily sweeping them in four games. In the Western Conference semifinals, they are off to a 1-0 start in their series with the Dallas Mavericks.
As the No.1 seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder might be underrated, as many want to see them prove themselves in the playoffs. Considering the Thunder were a great team in the regular season, it should come as no surprise that they are capable of beating you in multiple ways.
Recently, ESPN spoke about the biggest strength of Oklahoma City. Here’s what they had to say.
Strength: Elite balance
OKC ranks among the league’s top five on offense and defense — something only 64-win Boston can claim. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is far from the only scoring threat in this club’s five-out offense. Jalen Williams, statistically the league’s best shooter in the clutch, is developing into one of the NBA’s best iso players. Big man Chet Holmgren presents a Catch-22 for defenders with his ability to pressure the rim and fire away from 3.
Being in the top-5 of both offense and defense is certainly unique in the league, and is certainly a big part of why the team was so successful this season. On the offensive side of the ball, the Thunder have multiple players who can score 20 points on a given night, led by their young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and future All-Stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
As their series with the Mavericks progresses, it will be interesting to see if they can continue to prove themselves on this level. Since the Thunder are such a young team, they are going to be in uncharted waters moving forward in the playoffs.
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