The 2024-25 NBA season is still in its infancy, as teams are still trying to build their chemistry and continuity with one another. The 2024-25 NBA season is still in its infancy, as teams are still trying to develop their chemistry and continuity with one another.
Coming into the season, many had teams such as the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks (yikes), Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets among the title favorites. However, one team has proven itself as a prominent force out west and looks to be the favorite out of the Western Conference: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have gotten off to a hot start to the season with an 8-2 record. They started off winning seven consecutive games with an average margin of 19.14 points per BVM Sports, displaying their dominance over their opponents on both sides of the ball. Despite being the youngest team in the NBA, with the average age being 24.1, they display a unique maturity that is rare to see in young teams with so much talent.
Let's delve into why they should be the title favorites.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a quiet, savvy leader.
Finishing second in the MVP voting last season, Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always seems to make it easy when he's on the court. His slippery unorthodox style of play keeps the defense on its heels always pondering what his next move will be. He's not the loud, outspoken leader you see most stars are such as Draymond Green, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and so forth.
Alexander has a calm demeanor about him and leads by example, averaging 26.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists per game on 50% from the field . His scoring has taken a dip (30.1-26.3), but his efficiency has still been off the charts, currently shooting over 50% of the field for the third consecutive season. Alexander's willingness to sacrifice his stats for the betterment of team win is sheer unselfishness from your franchise superstar.
Letting the other stars such as Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren who make up the "Big 3" of this team continue to flourish and elevate their games. Alexander not only is an offensive maestro but also is a good on-ball defender and keen sneaking into passing lanes, being amongst the league leaders in steals by averaging over 1.5 per game for three straight seasons (including this one).
With Alexander's poise and composure in high pressure situations, the Thunder should feel really confident in their chances to come out of the Western Conference and claim their first title as a franchise since moving to Oklahoma.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have stepped up.
No matter how good your primary superstar is, no one can do it by themselves. Whether it's Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and so forth, all franchise cornerstones need key No.2 and No.3 options to keep the defense honest and alleviate pressure off the main target. The same applies for the Thunder with their top guy being Alexander, but he has some reliable two-way All-Star caliber players in forward Jalen Williams and big man Chet Holmgren who make his life much easier.
First, let's get into Williams. Williams continues to display pinpoint consistency after two great seasons in the NBA, finishing second in Rookie of the Year in 2023 behind Paolo Banchero and a spectacular sophomore season.
Through the first nine games this season, he's averaging 19.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 48% shooting from the field and a remarkable 40% from beyond the arc while attempting five threes per game. However, offensively is not the only side where he's valuable.
Williams is also a good on-ball defender, which makes him and Alexander a devastating backcourt for opposing offenses. They average two steals per game. The Thunder's "Big 3" all rank among the top three in defensive win shares in the early part of the season, according to Basketball Reference. He can guard the opposition's best perimeter player and be the top-scoring option when Alexander needs a breather.
Now to Holmgren. After finishing second in Rookie of the Year last season to his rival Victor Wembanyama, Holmgren has elevated his game to another level this season with increased muscle to his frame and more assertive offensively.
Holmgren's usage rate is up from 21.9% last season to 24.9 this season and is making a real case for Defensive Player of the Year averaging a shade under 3.0 blocks per game with 2.9. He'll have competition with Wembanyama for that award as the Spurs' young star is averaging 4.0 per contest,but Holmgren's team is among the best in the league and he has the best defensive rating (92.7), and win shares (0.9) that'll be in his favor. As great as Alexander is, the Thunder are not the juggernaut they are without Williams and Holmgren.
As great as Alexander is, the Thunder are not the juggernaut they are without Williams and Holmgren, who will now be out for 8-10 weeks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's bench has improved.
Lastly, the bench. Every title contender needs to have a reliable eight to nine man rotation, especially come playoff time when every posession is more valuable and the atmosphere intensifies. You need your role players to step up and be great in their role.
That's what the Thunder have, depth that goes 11 men deep from Lu Dort who's a stellar 3-and-D weapon to Cason Wallace who's a terror on the perimeter, can run the offense, and knock down perimeter shots. You also have All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso who brings championship pedigree and experience as a veteran voice in the locker room along with Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams who also help contribute off the bench.
With a composed franchise leader, stellar co-stars, and a reliable bench, the Thunder should be the favorite to take the title come June 2025. They haven't even added an essential offseason addition in Isaiah Hartenstein, who's recovering from a non-displaced fracture in his left hand.
Look out!