Fansided

5 reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder can win the NBA Championship

By Micah Wimmer

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 5, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Thunder defeated the Nets 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 5, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Thunder defeated the Nets 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 2: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 2, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 2: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 2, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Defense

While they have regressed on this side of the ball a bit since the All-Star Break, the Thunder still possess the league’s fourth-best defense, helping to make up for their below average offensive rating. They are led on this end by Paul George, who has recaptured the defensive form he showcased on the Pacers five years ago and is a definite contender for Defensive Player of the Year, taking on the opposition’s best wing player night after night while leading the league in steals.

Helping him out is the interior duo of Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel who have made scoring near the basket and finding second chance opportunities difficult for opponents all season long. There is also the athletic, lanky, and versatile Jerami Grant who has proven night after night that he is fully deserving of the starting 4 spot. Oklahoma City can disrupt opponents in a number of ways though one can only wonder how much more capable they would be on this end if Andre Roberson had been able to come back from injury this season.

Home/NBA Playoffs