The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder received their first ever title in 2024-25. However there are already query marks over whether or not they can repeat.
No NBA staff has managed to win back-to-back titles because the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder would be the subsequent staff to attempt, and so they actually have the roster expertise to have the ability to accomplish that. This was a staff that received 68 common season video games final yr.
There shall be a renewed problem from their rivals within the West, with the Denver Nuggets strengthening, the Houston Rockets including Kevin Durant, whereas the LA Lakers have Luka Doncic in the very best form of his profession.
The LA Lakers won’t be the favorites to win the title however they’re actually within the combine, with gamers as proficient as Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Talking to Sports activities Illustrated, Rachel Nichols says she believes Luka Doncic has all the time had an edge towards the Thunder, and argues that this could possibly be decisive if the 2 groups meet within the NBA Playoffs.
She stated: “Oklahoma Metropolis has by no means been capable of resolve the Luka Doncic drawback. They simply haven’t.
“He has ripped by means of that staff, and he has a lot confidence towards them, and so they appear to have a confidence hole when he walks on the ground.
“And I simply suppose, in case you have the flexibility, as a participant and a staff to take out one of many, presumably the highest contender, no matter what would possibly occur towards the Nuggets, that’s an enormous that’s an enormous factor. That’s monumental.”
Luka Doncic has a 9-7 win-loss report towards OKC Thunder throughout his profession with the Mavericks and the Lakers.
He performed them twice final season with the Lakers, going 1-1. Within the second recreation, he was on track for one more win, earlier than he was ejected after a referee dispute and OKC went on to win.
Throughout his video games towards OKC, Doncic has averaged 27.1 factors per recreation.
They didn’t get the prospect to fulfill on this yr’s playoffs, with the Lakers eradicated within the first spherical by the Timberwolves, who had been crushed by OKC within the Western Convention Finals.
