The 2023-24 Oklahoma City Thunder were a top-3 team in the Western Conference throughout the course of the entire season.
They have a legitimate MVP candidate and one of the best two-way players in the game in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chet Holmgren just had the biggest impact in NBA history for a rookie in terms of points added and saved.
They also finished the season with the second-best net rating at +7.4.
Even so, and despite the fact that they beat the reigning NBA champions for the No. 1 seed in the West, Shannon Sharpe still isn’t impressed by them.
Talking on “First Take,” the Pro Football Hall of Famer argued that this was one of the worst No. 1 seeds we’ve seen in a very long time, adding that no one is actually afraid of them.
The legendary tight end doubled down on his take by stating that the Thunder aren’t good enough to beat the Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, or other teams.
Granted, the Thunder are quite young and inexperienced, and that could always take a toll on them in the playoffs.
Nonetheless, so were the 2012 Thunder that made it all the way to the NBA Finals.
Mark Daigneault’s team has plenty of talent.
They might lack size and experience, but they’re well-coached, fight hard, and have proven that they can beat contending teams night in and night out.
Even if they don’t get far in the playoffs, this team is going to be a problem for years to come, and we should give credit where it’s due.
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