Due to how successful the Thunder have been this season in all facets of their game, experts are starting to realize that OKC could account for many of the NBA’s awards.
In various tweets published by popular sports personality Skip Bayless, he provided his opinions as to who he felt will win the Most Valuable Player as well as the NBA Finals:
SGA MVP.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 15, 2024
I’d like OKC’s chances better vs Giannis if Chet were healthy and blocking shots and making 3s. But he will be back and THE THUNDER WILL WIN THE WEST.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 15, 2024
And Skip is making a serious case. For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he is averaging 30.3 points (fourth in NBA, first among guards), 6.3 assists (career high), 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals (tied for fourth in NBA) per game. As the leader of the Thunder, SGA is the main reason why OKC has the best record out West and the third best record in the league.
As for the team as a whole, the Thunder are doing things not seen since the all-time great franchises. As of right now, the Thunder have the second best net-rating in NBA history, only behind the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Moreover, this Thunder team is leading the league in steals, deflections and overall defensive rating.
MORE: Thunder building the best defense NBA has seen since Bill Russell’s Celtics
With such tremendous talent at all positions to go along with the ability to score from anywhere and stop anybody, it is no wonder why people like Skip Bayless have so much faith in OKC and their chances at securing the NBA’s top awards.