There is no denying that the young Oklahoma City Thunder overcame plenty of doubts on their way to lifting the 2025 NBA championship. Naturally, their triumph has placed them among the frontrunners to chase the title even next season, especially since the franchise has managed to retain its entire core and supporting cast.
However, analyst Rachel Nichols has an issue with how conveniently the media and fans have bestowed upon the current Thunder team the dominant respect that was once given to the prime Golden State Warriors, who appeared in five straight NBA Finals over the past decade.
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Nichols claims the Thunder are not at the same level as the prime Warriors
OKC’s championship campaign was built on a balanced foundation, as evidenced by them finishing as the best defensive and third-best offensive team in the 2024-25 season. However, their road to the Larry O’Brien trophy was not without adversity. The Thunder were forced into two Game 7s, where, due to the opponent being far from 100 percent healthy, Shai Gilgeois Alexander & Co. emerged victorious through razor-thin margins.
By contrast, during their prime stretch of 2014-15 through 2018-19, the Warriors were a model of sheer dominance. They boasted a top-three offensive rating in each of those five years, and in their three championship-winning seasons, they were pushed to a seven-game series merely once. That level of superiority, Nichols argued, was what made the Dubs stand apart in the Western Conference.
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Adding to that perspective is the fact that the Western Conference picture looks more competitive than ever, heading into the next season. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers have significantly boosted their rosters in depth and talent. Thus, Nichols believes it is only premature to suggest that the young Thunder team will undoubtedly rise as the No. 1 team in the conference in such a cut-throat environment.
“They think that the Thunder are so high, on the highest pedestal, that it doesn’t matter what the rest of the West does, it doesn’t matter who the best player is, that they are still going to win,” Nichols said. “I’m not sure that the Thunder should get that level of designation. They’ve earned the right to be the favorite this year, but I don’t know if they are ‘Golden State Warriors in their prime’ level of a team.”
The Thunder needs to show their consistency
With the perimeter defense of Alex Caruso and Luguentz Dort, the versatility of Jalen Williams, the interior presence of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein and the steady leadership of SGA, Oklahoma City boasts both balance and star power.
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Furthermore, their depth allows them to adapt to different styles of play, while their youth gives them the boldness to rise up in clutch scenarios one way or another. However, as Nichols emphasized, potential and depth must translate into consistent results if the Thunder wants to carve out a dynasty-like reputation.
Thus, while OKC is indeed a highly competitive team, they must realize that one successful championship triumph does not guarantee their supremacy in the West, especially with how stacked that side of the NBA looks. The Thunder are being hunted by plenty, but they are the defending champions for a reason.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.