(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
After sweeping the eighth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans in the first round, and predictably so, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company headed into the second round against a much tougher opponent in the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Although the Thunder were still thought to have a great chance to advance to the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks were expected to pose a tougher threat, but in Game 1, that didn’t appear to be the case.
Oklahoma City crushed Dallas in Game 1 and turned many heads in the process, as the first-round dominance against the Pelicans might’ve been a sign of what to expect from this team moving forward, regardless of the opponent.
With the Thunder putting on a show against Doncic’s squad in Game 1, Kendrick Perkins of ESPN seems convinced that Oklahoma City is for real and will be a championship team within the next three years, via NBA on ESPN.
“In the next three years, I guarantee you [the Thunder are] going to hang a banner and win a championship,” Perkins said.
“In the next three years, I guarantee you [the Thunder are] going to hang a banner and win a championship.” @KendrickPerkins compares this year’s Thunder to the 2012 Thunder with KD, Westbrook, and Harden pic.twitter.com/uF5yQnqrZ7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 8, 2024
Although the Thunder have been very impressive in the NBA playoffs thus far, saying this team will be lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy within the next three years might be a bit too bold.
There’s no doubt that this Thunder squad is capable of being a championship team, but they have yet to be tested in these playoffs by a formidable opponent, and until that happens, Oklahoma City still has a lot to prove in terms of being a legitimate title contender.
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