Oklahoma City’s surprising success has been talked about again and again this season.
And it’s easy to understand why. The Thunder are one of the feel-good stories in the league.
In their first year without Russell Westbrook, who essentially made the franchise over the last decade, Oklahoma City has exceeded all expectations. They have essentially guaranteed themselves a spot in the postseason after they were written off ahead of training camp, and their playing like the Thunder team that fans and opposing teams have been accustomed to seeing.
Throw in the combination of rejuvenated veteran Chris Paul, a rising star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the narrative of a team full of scrappy players who are sacrificing for the greater good … Hollywood doesn’t’ have many better storylines.
But is this season an unlikely one-off or are the Thunder actually better than they were a year ago with both Westbrook and Paul George on the roster?
ESPN’s The Jump debated the issue.
Royce Young, who covers the Thunder for ESPN, tweeted out ahead of OKC’s matchup against the Bucks that Milwaukee and Oklahoma City had the two best records in the league since Thanksgiving.
Records since Thanksgiving:
1. Bucks 35-5
2. Thunder 31-11
3. Lakers 29-10
4. Raptors 29-12
5. Celtics 28-13— Royce Young (@royceyoung) February 28, 2020
The Jump broke it down even further, noting that “even if you break it out by winning percentage, still only the Bucks and Lakers have been better than the Thunder”.
Rachel Nichols posed the question to Amin Elhassan and Scottie Pippen.
Elhassan pointed out that at this point in the season last year, Oklahoma City had a record of 38-23. Currently, the Thunder are 37-23 (adding a game to the loss column due to the historically lopsided loss to the Bucks on Friday night). Elhassan said that while Oklahoma City isn’t better on paper, the offense is better than it was last year.
“You look at the offense, it’s way better than it was last year. Last year’s offense was 16th in the league, this year’s offense is 10th. When you look at the way that they use everyone on the roster, that it’s not very star-centric, when you look at the development of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the year that Chris Paul has had, I’m willing to say that if last year’s Thunder played this year’s Thunder, this year’s Thunder would win in a seven-game series”.
Scottie Pippen agreed and added that he believes that this year’s OKC team is better both on paper and on the court.
“They have players that are playing their role, and I think they’ve got better leadership. Chris Paul gets his guys to play the way he wants them to play. And they follow the way that he plays. And that’s why they’re being successful on the basketball court.”
Elhassan also noted that Paul’s influence was visible in the way Oklahoma City executes, especially during close games, something that shouldn’t be surprising to Thunder fans considering Paul has been the most clutch player in the league this season.
The conversation about the Thunder starts at the 2:37 mark.