The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder should still be one of many NBA’s most dominant groups, however their highway again to the Finals could possibly be far tougher than anticipated.
Even when Oklahoma Metropolis secures the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention, the playoff bracket might line up in a brutal manner. As an alternative of a straightforward path, the Thunder could must undergo two harmful contenders simply to achieve the convention finals.
For a defending champion constructed round Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, that risk dramatically raises the stakes.
The Denver Nuggets stay a harmful playoff opponent
The Denver Nuggets stay one of many greatest threats within the Western Convention. They may have overwhelmed them final 12 months and in addition not too long ago in the course of the common season, however by no means underestimate the Joker, who performs at MVP stage as soon as once more.
Even when Denver enters the playoffs as a decrease seed, few groups would really feel comfy dealing with them in a second-round matchup. The Nuggets have playoff expertise, elite half-court execution, and probably the most troublesome offensive programs to cease in a seven-game collection.
Groups led by championship-caliber superstars are inclined to develop into much more harmful within the postseason.
For Oklahoma Metropolis, meaning the second spherical might already really feel like a convention finals matchup, however that is solely half of the story.
The San Antonio Spurs are rising as a nightmare matchup
If the Thunder survive that collection, issues may not get simpler. The Spurs are at the moment slashing the league, particularly with Victor Wembanyama
They’re rapidly turning into probably the most intriguing playoff threats within the West. With elite younger expertise and quickly bettering depth, San Antonio is starting to appear to be a legit contender.
Their size, defensive versatility, and talent to run the ground might create critical issues for Oklahoma Metropolis. Younger groups usually take a leap within the postseason as soon as they achieve confidence, and the Spurs seem like trending in that course.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces a a lot more durable repeat problem
For Gilgeous-Alexander, repeating as champion was by no means going to be simple. A minimum of within the East Tyrese Haliburton is injured, that man was killing the final postseason.
Nonetheless, the Finals may not current the largest antagonist anymore. The Western Convention has develop into one of many deepest and best environments in basketball. Even prime seeds hardly ever get pleasure from clean playoff runs anymore.
As an alternative, contenders should navigate a number of elite Finals worthy opponents earlier than reaching the Finals. Mainly the spots 3 to 7 are having the identical standing. Even after the Spurs and Nuggets, the competitors is extraordinarily fierce.
That actuality might place an infinite burden on Gilgeous-Alexander to persistently carry out at an MVP stage all through the playoffs.
