The competition in the NBA’s Western Conference has been fierce and merciless this year with a handful of talented teams that could realistically go all the way to the conference finals. While the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were predicted to set the pace, there have been a few unexpected contenders that are leading the way.
In a recent exclusive interview with Overtime Heroics’ Senior Editor Reggie Roberts, former NBA player Walt “The Wizard” Williams was asked which NBA has surprised him the most this year.
“I would have to say the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have had a fantastic season. They are a young team, but they play very well together and they are a solid defensive team, as well,” Williams.
Chet Holmgren is the first rookie in NBA history to total 150+ BLK and 100+ 3PM in a season. pic.twitter.com/b14JVx0cT7
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 26, 2024
Williams has been around the game long enough to recognize when he sees something special. The sharp shooter set the standard at the University of Maryland where he still holds the record for most points in the season (776) and most points averaged per game (26.8). He had a successful 11-year career in the NBA where he went on to play in over 700 games for the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
Williams went on to highlight Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the key player in the lineup. The 25-year-old Canadian guard is currently averaging 30.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists and leads the NBA with 2.1 steals per game.
“They are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an obvious MVP candidate who dropped 40 on the Kings the other night,” added Williams. “OKC is going to be a dangerous team in the playoffs. They are a very good team that’s well coached.”
Shai MVP case:
— 30/6/6/2
— First in 30-point games
— Most 30-point games since 2019 Harden
— Leading NBA in steals
— Top 3 in iso and transition points
— Best player on top 3 seedJoins Steph and MJ as the only guards to average 30/5/5/2 on 50+ FG% in a season. pic.twitter.com/1AiGjNj7eM
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 10, 2024
Gilgeous-Alexander has not been the only bright spot in a roster that is littered with talented young stars. Forward Jalen Williams, 22, is averaging 19.4 points and chipping in with an additional 4.6 assists per game. The no.2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Chet Holmgren, 21, is thriving in Oklahoma. He is averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 79 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder started the season with the second youngest team in the league behind only the San Antonio Spurs. Despite an average age of just 24.12 years, Mark Daigneault’s side has exceeded all expectations and currently sit third in the Western Conference with a 54-25 record. They are currently just one game behind the first-place Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. The Thunder are on a two-game win streak and with three homes games to finish out the season, it is very possible that they could end the season with the best record in the West.
