Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic start ignites comparisons to legendary Warriors
The Oklahoma City Thunder have burst onto the NBA scene this season, achieving a remarkable 20-1 record by Sunday. This impressive feat places them among an elite group, as they become just the fourth team in league history to begin a season so dominantly. The only team to surpass this start is the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who achieved a perfect 21-0 before extending their streak to a record 24 wins, ultimately finishing the season with an astounding 73 victories. While the Thunder’s current pace suggests they could exceed that mark, history indicates that the rigors of a long season will likely lead to more than ten losses—a trend consistent for all but two teams in NBA history.
As the Thunder’s exceptional performance captivates fans, discussions abound regarding how they would fare against the 2016-17 Warriors in a playoff series. Additionally, questions linger about whether Oklahoma City can reach 74 wins this season. However, I aim to delve deeper into a compelling question: which team’s start was truly more impressive—the 20-1 Thunder or the 24-0 Warriors?
Point Differential
Evaluating point differential provides an early glimpse into each team’s dominance. The Warriors boasted an impressive average point differential of +14.2 per game during their first 24 contests. Meanwhile, the Thunder have outshined them with a +15.5 differential. This suggests that Oklahoma City has been marginally more dominant, although both teams benefited from resting their starters during entire fourth quarters, complicating the comparison.
When analyzing the net rating, which accounts for garbage time, the Thunder’s rating stands at +17.0 compared to the Warriors’ +16.1. This statistic indicates that despite suffering a loss, the Thunder have exhibited superior overall performance.
Strength of Victory
As of Tuesday, the Thunder have impressively secured victories in all six contests against teams with winning records. Conversely, the Warriors entered their 25th game with an undefeated 11-0 record against above-.500 opponents. With three of their next four games against struggling teams, the Thunder may not quickly close the gap in this area. Thus, the early advantage slightly tilts toward the Warriors. However, one could argue that the landscape of the modern NBA—with its increased three-point shooting—creates a higher potential for unexpected outcomes, which complicates this analysis.
During the Warriors’ 24-0 start, they faced opponents who averaged over ten three-pointers in only three games, with the Pacers hitting a high of 14. In contrast, the Thunder’s sole defeat came against the Trail Blazers, who drained 19 threes. This inconsistency in opponent performance highlights the unpredictable nature of the current game.
Schedule Toughness
In terms of scheduling, the Thunder have encountered three back-to-back sets, with only one being a challenging double-road-game sequence, which they lost. The Warriors, on the other hand, faced their seventh back-to-back in their first 25 games, with four of those being double-road back-to-backs. The compressed schedule for the Warriors can be attributed to the delayed start of the 2015-16 season, which saw their first game on October 27, while the Thunder kicked off their campaign earlier on October 21. Thus, it is evident that the Warriors faced a more demanding early-season schedule.
Impact of Jalen Williams’ Injury
Despite the absence of Jalen Williams for the Thunder—who signed a lucrative five-year, $240 million contract this offseason—Oklahoma City has thrived. Williams had the team’s lowest net-rating swing last season, indicating that while he is a talented player, the depth of the Thunder’s roster has allowed them to persevere without him. If the Thunder were to continue their winning ways without key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Chet Holmgren, this circumstance would weigh more heavily in their favor in any comparison.
Final Thoughts
The debate surrounding the Thunder’s exceptional start versus the historical performance of the 2015-16 Warriors is complex and multifaceted. While the Thunder’s early season has been nothing short of spectacular, the Warriors set a benchmark that looms large in NBA history. As the season unfolds, both teams’ legacies will continue to be scrutinized, fueling discussions among fans and analysts alike.
