Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 big goals for 2018-19 NBA season

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(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Finish in the top three in the Western Conference

The Thunder were able to finish fourth in the Western Conference standings despite all the ups and downs.

This year, the 3-seed (or higher) should be the goal. The Western Conference is tight and filled with superstars. Last season it came down to the final game to decide playoff positioning and the race to the playoffs was a tough one. A long stretch of losing could have done any team in.

If the Thunder can win the games that they have in hand this season, it will go a long way in helping their seeding.

LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers certainly doesn’t ease the pressure in the crowded West. It will be tough to get wins in such a loaded conference, but OKC has the talent defensively to keep up with teams and they will have to play to that strength again in 2018-19.

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