The Thunder have only 16 games left in the season to prepare for what they hope is a long playoff run. They have achieved many different feats this year. OKC had their best start in franchise history at 7-0, a seven-game winning streak two other times this season, and most consecutive wins in a row at 15. The Thunder have been impressive all year, and they are on the verge of breaking another record; however, this time, it is an NBA record.
The Thunder have a record of 54-12 and have dominated all year. However, there is one conference which the Thunder have a crazy record against. That conference is the East, who they boast a staggering 22-1 record against. Their only loss came against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The NBA record for wins against another conference is 27-3. The Thunder still have to play the Pistons twice, the Bucks, the 76ers, the Hornets, the Pacers, and the Bulls. If the Thunder go 6-1 against those teams, they will have the NBA record and have another achievement on this impressive season.
The Thunder Are On The Verge Of Breaking This NBA Record
Why This Record is Important
There have been three teams that have a 27-3 NBA record against another conference. Those teams are the 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers, the 2006-2007 Dallas Mavericks, and the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors. Two of these teams ended up making it to the Finals: the Lakers and the Warriors. However, only the Lakers won the championship after the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 Finals. Ultimately, if the Thunder can achieve the same record or break it, history tells us they have a good chance of making it to the NBA Finals. Additionally, the two franchise records they beat were from the Thunder teams that made it to the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
Not the Only NBA Record They Can Break
This wouldn’t be the only NBA record the Thunder could break this season. The other record is having the best point differential in a season. The Thunder have a 12.48-point differential, which is currently the best in the league, and all they would have to do is hold onto that for the rest of the season. The six teams that were below them all went to the Finals and won. These are now two records the Thunder are closing on, with history telling us that there is a high chance for them to make it to the NBA Finals and win it. However, people look to their youth and inexperience as to why they won’t win a championship, even though what they have done this year tells a different story.
The Thunder Check All Boxes For a Championship Team
There are a lot of benchmarks a team must have to be considered a championship contender. They must have a top 10 guy in the league. The team has to be at the top of the league in both offensive and defensive ratings. In addition, they must have different ways of being able to win, and then there is the 40 wins before 20 losses rule. These are just some of the benchmarks a team must have to be deemed a title contender.
If you look at the Thunder, they check every single box to compete for a championship. They have a top-five player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder have great depth; they can shoot the three-ball, and they have size with Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. They have a good coach, Mark Daigneault, and a number two option in Jalen Williams. They check all the boxes a team must have, plus they are closing in on two NBA records that tell us they are Finals bound. However, there are still people out there who want to doubt this team because of their age and inexperience.
The Last Word on The Thunder Potentially Breaking This NBA Record
The Thunder are having one of the best seasons in NBA history. Everything they are doing this year and have accomplished already points to them being in the Finals with a good chance to win it. However, with their age and inexperience, some people are hesitant to pick them to win it all. This is very understandable as if they were to win it, they would be one of if not the youngest teams ever to win the championship.
However, if you throw the age out the window, they check every box for a championship team, and history would show that this team should make it to the Finals. Finally, all the Thunder have to do is go out there and prove it, and time will tell if they are still too young or if history repeats itself.
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