It’s kind of hard to remember right now, but the Thunder started the season with four straight losses. Since then, they’re 15-3 with 10 double-digit wins and a plus-11.4 point differential, by far the biggest in the league over that stretch. At some point, the residuals from that rough two-week start to the year will fade and we’ll have to acknowledge that Oklahoma City may be as legit a contender as any other non-Warriors team in the West.
A lot of factors are driving the surging Thunder, but the re-emergence of Nerlens Noel has been among the most fun. Over the past three games, Noel is averaging 25.6, 13.8 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 4.0 blocks per 36 minutes, shooting 77.8 percent from the field. The team’s defense has been incredible when he’s on the court and he gives their bench a frontcourt depth they haven’t had in a long time.