If OKC doesn’t make the finals, do you think they will get a pass from the media/fans?

[darryl]

There are several threads asking for proof of blackness

Did you share a picture in any of them. Because I did

Stfu. You already gearing up for that early round loss for the nuggets LMAO. Talking about ain't no pressure on this cac who y'all dikkride and say should be the MVP LMAO

 

[In The Zone '98]

Stfu. You already gearing up for that early round loss for the nuggets LMAO. Talking about ain't no pressure on this cac who y'all dikkride and say should be the MVP LMAO

You in your feelings.

I was too. But then he chip'd. So you gotta move on

 

[Jazzy B.]

Why would there be pressure on someone who already got a ring and 3 MVPs

Lol

This is the type of BS I’m talking about when it comes to Jokic

Jokic is a 3x mvp and has a starting 5 y’all were literally calling the best starting 5 in the WEST a year ago but now he shouldn’t be expected to win again?


Meanwhile the likes of KD, Bron and Kawhi who like Jokic have already won are still expected to keep winning and face pressure. Is Jokic a generational superstar or is he a fake ass 3x mvp?

 

[Jazzy B.]

Giannis was literally the mvp of the League in 2019 on the one seed in the east breh

They were, but after they lost to Toronto the reaction was more of a “Everyone underestimated how good Toronto and Kawhi were”

If OKC lose to the Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers or The Warriors we’re gonna hear similar but after SGA wins the MVP this wont be allowed to be used anymore.

 

[qashif]

OKC is only a young team. They've got time on their side and assets to flip if/when they need to.

Their #2 and #3 options are only 22 and 23, respectively, so if they don't make a deep playoff run this season it's not the end of the world. You can't fault them wanting to rely on the group that got them this far.

Youth is not an excuse

 

[Rekkapryde]

Last year they got a pass already

No Chet and youngest team.

Should make Finals, but it has to be conference finals minimum and that won't be enough for some. A competitive Western Finals if they lose won't get too much smoke depending on who they lose to. The only team they might get some leeway losing to is the Nuggets. They are better than the other West Teams.

 

[Don Homer]

They have through next season with this current group. Chet and JDub will get max extensions in the summer of 2026, whether from OKC or someone else.

If Dub makes an All-NBA team this year, he'll be eligible for 5/$296 million; Chet's starting point is gonna be 5/$246 million. SGA's due a new max in 2027. Is OKC's cheap ass owner gonna pay all these guys or go into the tax to keep a contender around them? He didn't do that with KD, Russ and Harden.

lowkey ridiculous

i wish they'd change it so that only 1st team All-NBA guys get max contracts. Right now, J-Dub is 3rd team at best, and 3rd Team shouldnt get you that payday.

 

[SadimirPutin]

OKC is only a young team. They've got time on their side and assets to flip if/when they need to.

Their #2 and #3 options are only 22 and 23, respectively, so if they don't make a deep playoff run this season it's not the end of the world. You can't fault them wanting to rely on the group that got them this far.

Young team....yes

But championship windows are shorter than we think.Injury, teams catch up, nba is a trade zoo

And guys will have to start getting paid soon....Shai is getting the full supermax.....Imo they need to get to the finals or close the deal this season or next

 

[Street Knowledge]

Like let’s say they lose to Denver

 

[pete clemenza]

They will not get a pass from me whatsoever! Clipps been ridiculed over "the trade" for the past five years. And rightfully so imo. Really they should make the Finals and win the whole thing, but I'm giving them a pass and saying just make the WCF. This season and playoff run is "The Trade's" put up or stfu moment, period! We bringing the cannons out on them if they loose to Denver.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Like let’s say they lose to Denver

Let's see them lose first.

I do think Presti would get a little heat and pressure to turn his treasure trove of picks and young talent into a true difference maker to get over the hump(read: Giannis)

 

[SadimirPutin]

At some point you have to shed your young baby title and become playoff men.....which means you gotta go through a couple wars

They have the 1 seed and a top 2 MVP candidate/favorite

Had the best defense this season and have home court advantage

They definitely getting the chopper if they dont make the finals

 

[murksiderock]

If they lose in the semifinals as a #1 seed, it'll be the second consecutive year doing so. And the Thunder would have to take ample criticism for it, from the top down...

I agree there'd be pressure to turn these picks into some real players, because if they lose it'll in part be because their other guys aren't good enough...

Shai played well in the loss last year. And he'll probably play well enough in a loss this year. But I don't think he can get outplayed by Jokic, which is what happened the other day. Shai gonna get the MVP, it's not gonna rest well with people if his 68-win team with a historic regular season defense loses. He can't go out and lose two years in a row getting outplayed by the guy on the other side...

 

[SadimirPutin]

If they lose in the semifinals as a #1 seed, it'll be the second consecutive year doing so. And the Thunder would have to take ample criticism for it, from the top down...

I agree there'd be pressure to turn these picks into some real players, because if they lose it'll in part be because their other guys aren't good enough...

Shai played well in the loss last year. And he'll probably play well enough in a loss this year. But I don't think he can get outplayed by Jokic, which is what happened the other day. Shai gonna get the MVP, it's not gonna rest well with people if his 68-win team with a historic regular season defense loses. He can't go out and lose two years in a row getting outplayed by the guy on the other side...

Yup

Aint no way folks gonna overlook them departing in the semis twice

 

[Jplaya2023]

A one seed isn’t “clicking”?

Didnt these nikkas just set the record for largest margin of victory in the 1st round? Or was that Cleveland? Nkw their not "clicking". The coli is shameless