Defending NBA champion Oklahoma
City Thunder are off to a scorching 15-1 start, marking the
second-best opening by a reigning champion.
The 2016 Golden State Warriors
began 16-0 and went on to finish the season with a 73-9 record,
which is still the best in NBA history.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,
who dropped 33 points in their most recent win over the Kings, OKC
has looked dominant on both ends of the floor. Their early season
run has drawn strong comparisons to historically great teams –
including the Warriors, 1996 Bulls and 2000 Lakers – thanks to
their combination of defense, pace, and youth.
The Thunder’s net rating through
these games is surpassing even their own title-run levels,
signaling that their back-to-back championship expectations is very
much in play.
If OKC sustains this form,
they’re not just defending champions – they’re positioning
themselves to set a new standard for repeat contenders in the
modern NBA – the first in eight years.