Is the OKC Thunder a Western-Conference Contender?
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the rise, but while it's waited plenty to enter Western Conference contention, it might be closer than it thinks.
Accruing a league-leading amount of draft capital was step one in that plan. Developing it has been the second part, and safe to say, the team is well on its way to doing so effectively.
In fact, according to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, Oklahoma City has already reached a point of contention.
“They’re not just a building team," Vecenie said of the Thunder on his "Game Theory podcast. "They are competitive now. They are competing for Western Conference Finals berths as soon as this year."
Vecenie can say what he wants, but how feasible is a take like that?
As of today, it's not too far fetched. Oklahoma City has won seven of its last eight contests — and five straight — in complete dominant fashion. It took down a streaking Cleveland team, for the second time it should be mentioned, on top of the Golden State Warriors twice, the Phoenix Suns and even the No. 1 overall pick in Victor Wembanyama.
The only game Oklahoma City didn't come away with was a road trip to Sacramento, where a seven-point deficit was its killer — but had it not been for that bump in the road, the Thunder would be riding the hottest streak in the NBA.
But that one loss didn't hurt too much.
Currently, coach Mark Daigneault's squad sits at No. 2 in the West, but pending the result of Minnesota's next game, it could be tied for first. The Thunder has only lost four times this season, though it now prepares for a four-game stretch against the East seed-equivalent 76ers, Timberwolves, red-hot Lakers and Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks. All games against tough teams, but all winnable at the same time.
If Oklahoma City wants to come out with more victories to extend its winning ways, it'll have to continue to gel on both ends of the court, as well as execute both at home and on the road. Early in the season is the time to earn wins, especially while every team goes up and down in the rankings, and so far, Oklahoma City has taken full advantage.
The next step is for it to continue to do so.
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