The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have checked off one other main milestone of their title protection, formally locking up the No. one seed within the Western Convention, and home-court benefit all through the postseason.
It marks the third straight yr the Thunder have claimed the West’s high spot, inserting them amongst a number of the most elite groups in NBA historical past.
That consistency isn’t misplaced on reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who made it clear that whereas the achievement issues, it’s solely a part of the larger image.
“It’s spectacular,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “Clearly, none of it means something in the event you don’t win in the long run, and you already know that. However groups that win in the long run have a number of the identical traits and traits and test off the identical packing containers.
“So checking off these packing containers is form of identical to figuring out we’re headed in the best route. Clearly, we’re removed from the end line of the place we need to go, however like I mentioned, it lets us know we’re heading proper there.”
Head coach Mark Daigneault pointed to the group’s mindset because the driving drive behind their sustained success.
“It’s an incredible accomplishment,” Daigneault mentioned. “No two seasons are the identical, and this season was numerous completely different experiences. We clearly began actually sizzling after which handled numerous missed video games, particularly in the course of the season. We felt like two months we have been enduring that. And this staff, while you win the championship, that form of hangs over you as a staff the following yr. Which means everyone, together with ourselves, you decide your self in opposition to that.
“It’s extremely exhausting to be current within the subsequent common season. I realized a lot from this staff due to their skill to come back in every single day and simply embrace the day and the problem that we had that day and never look backwards, not look forwards and simply assault each problem along with a degree of zest and pleasure is de facto spectacular. And it’s why I feel we had the season we did.”
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