Can the Oklahoma City Thunder truly challenge for a championship?

Basketball Society ^ | January 14, 2019 | Ryan Calpin

[GuavaCheesePuff]

The Thunder currently sit at 26-16 and third in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Some people are saying Paul George is having an MVP caliber season and is a legit candidate to win the award.

But can we consider the Thunder to be a legitimate threat to win the NBA championship?

Let’s take a closer look.

Only eight of the 26 wins are against teams over the .500 mark.

They are 8-7 against current playoff teams.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Paul George is playing great basketball. He may not be Kevin Durant, but OKC is incredibly fortunate to have replaced Durant with George. The problem is that Russell Westbrook isn't having a great season.

And quite honestly, no matter how good any team in the West (or the NBA, for that matter) is, I can't see any team other than the Warriors celebrating an NBA Finals win this season. DeMarcus Cousins playing at 70% teamed up with Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green means everyone else is playing for consolation prizes and trying to trade for Anthony Davis.

[Trumpet 1]

When completely healthy, Golden State is the best in the West. OKC is just another very strong team in the West.

[dfwgator]

I just wish Billy Donovan would come back to UF.

[Enterprise]

I won’t make a prediction about a challenge, so who knows? But to win the championship is highly unlikely. It is once again going to be an uphill battle for any team to beat the Warriors as long as their starting five remain healthy.

[thefactor]

No. Next question.

[dainbramaged]

The former Seattle Supersonics whom I used to care about, back in the 70’s.

[GuavaCheesePuff]

Donovan should go to another team, the OKC won’t win a title.

[drellberg]

In short order, the Chicago Bulls’ young roster will come together. Their gutsy, come-from-behind rise to the playoffs and thereafter the 2019 championship will stun the world. ;)

I do like R Westbrook and P George. I’d be thrilled if they make a go of it.

[NohSpinZone]

There might be a shot if they manage to hang onto the third place standing at the end of the regular season. That would take them out of the GSW bracket in the playoffs with the conference championships being when they would meet. In a seven-game series, anything thing can happen, I suppose. The Warriors look even more formidable now though with Cousins starting to round into form.

[SeekAndFind]

OKC has the following going for it:

1) A Great forward: Paul George who is playing as well as he ever has.

2) One of the greatest point guards ever — always a triple double threat, Russel Westbrook.

3) A tough center in Steve Adams, One of the best defensive centers in the NBA due to his height. A premiere rim protector who can both steal and block.

4) A fantastic sixth man, Dennis Schroder, who is a more then adequate sub for a weary Russel Westbrook.

5) Jerami Grant is a very athletic forward with very inconsistent shooting.

So, their main advantage is this -— A frontcourt of Grant, Steven Adams, and Paul George stifles opposing teams, regardless of who the point guard is. Adams is an elite interior defender, while George and Grant can switch every screen and cover for him on the back side when he extends out on the perimeter. Opponents will have a hard time penetrating their defense.

The problem as always is this -— This team still tends to become a one man show when Russel Westbrook is on court. I do notice that he’s trying to rein himself back a little bit more this season. The other advantage is this -— they might not need Westbrook as often on the court as they did because of the presence of Schroder, who can carry his load.

But, but but.... Great ball movement is not something that comes to mind when talking about Thunder basketball … Depth is improved, yet nothing to call home about … They play in a brutal conference where excellent teams like the Warriors exist.

They may go deep into the playoffs, but alas, not enough to go to the finals !!

[Enterprise]

Of historical interest.

Howard Schultz ‘Sold Out’ Seattle

[EQAndyBuzz]

Who?

[SmokingJoe]

Well OKC should have been the best. They had Durant, Westbrook and James Harden. Then they went and traded Harden away. Harden is currently having the best offensive campaign since Wilt Chamberlain in 1961 to 63. Last season MVP and a lock to repeat this season MVP Harden’s last three seasons(including the current one) have been out of this world. I'd back an OKC with Harden, Durant and Westbrook against a Golden State with Curry, Thompson and Cousins and Green any day.

[Osage Orange]

You live in OK!?

[Kazan]

The Thunder has no chance of beating Golden State this year.

[Glad2bnuts]

Give me four steps and a three point line, and we can call the NBA the greatest basketball league EVER.... sarcasm off .....

It is unwatchable as a sport. Nice performance art though.

[GuavaCheesePuff]

No. I live in NJ.

[bobby.223]

Bob Blackburn: “The inbounds goes to DJ, hard up the right side, into Sikma at the top of the key, well defended by Unseld, back out to Brown on the left side, fakes right, goes up, a shot from 35 feet....GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! Freddy from wayyyyy downtown again and the Sonics again lead the Bullets by 22 points”!!! (It seems like it all happened only yesterday....)

[dainbramaged]

That was sweet - Blackburn was a great announcer, wasn't he? I was downtown one time renewing my CCW and came upon Slick Watts standing by his Cadillac which was out of gas - we helped him out and he comped us some good seats.
Imagine if Fred Brown played when the three point shot was in effect - and a good seat at the Coliseum went for $7 IIRC.