Oklahoma City Thunder Quietly Back as One of NBA's Elite

Oklahoma City Thunder Quietly Back as One of NBA’s Elite

Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) speaks to head coach Billy Donovan during a break in action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Matching the Warriors Step for Step

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the season in concerning fashion. A 97-95 loss to the Miami Heat on December 3 pushed the Thunder’s record to 11-8, which thus created understandable doubts about whether or not they could compete with the red-hot San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors.

Since December 3, Oklahoma City is 21-4.

For perspective, the Warriors are 19-4 since December 3. In other words, the Thunder have been keeping the pace—and then some—with the best team in the NBA since they began to realize how to play as a unit.

Only the Spurs have been better at 21-2 since December 3, which is close enough to OKC’s record to maintain optimism.

OKC is currently on a six-game winning streak, including a 25-point blowout of the Heat—a redemption win, if you will. Kevin Durant is returning to scoring champion form, Russell Westbrook is embracing his role as a facilitator, Serge Ibaka is anchoring the defense, and the supporting cast is finding its niche.

You can credit Billy Donovan’s emphasis on ball movement for the Thunder’s evolution.

Next: Long-Awaited Development

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