Why OKC’s 12-1 start is the best NBA analyst has ever seen

In the middle of Oklahoma City The Thunder’s best start to a regular season in franchise historyone NBA analyst calls it the best he’s ever seen. After the Thunder’s impressive back-to-back wins against the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix is ​​still in awe.

The Thunder are off to a 12-1 start the best he had ever seenas Manick broke down what separates Oklahoma City from the rest, according to Open Floor: SI’s NBA Show.

“They are 12-1 this year to start. They have the best defense in the NBA by a country mile. They are six points better than the Denver Nuggets, who are ranked second in defensive rating. They also have a top 5 offensive rating. And they are doing all this without an All-Star All-NBA team that was outstanding in the Jalen All-NBA game last year, Williams Third” Mannix said.

“They’re doing most of it without one of the best defensive backs in the league, in Lou Dort, who’s been out seven to eight games with an injury. They’re the best defense in the world without the NBA’s most physical defensive wings, one of its best, and a guy who was second-team All-Defensive last year in Jalen Williams.”

Through the obstacles, the Thunder remain dominant with the best record in the NBA, as noted by Chris Mannick.

“It’s the most impressive start to the season I’ve ever seen given the circumstances,” Mannix added. “I was wondering if this team was going to be able to match up. I knew they were going to get better organically, but they matched up at every level. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks a little bit better. Chet Holmgren looks a little bit better. Ajay Mitchell, we talked about him a little bit, it seems like there’s no best player.”

Can the Thunder break the Warriors record of 73 wins?

Defense champion Thunder has 73+ wins this season, which would break the Warriors’ 2015-16 record for most wins in a regular season. With All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again playing at a high level amid huge wins, leading to a league-leading +15.5 points differential, the Thunder are well positioned to win 70+ games.

Four more wins to set a new NBA record is still too early to tell. However, the wins were nice for Gilgeous-Alexander, who kept his energy on the bench throughout the fourth quarter. However, he still scored 30+ points in 11 of 13 games.