The Golden State Warriors` 2015-16 season serves as a reminder in the NBA. Despite achieving a record-breaking 73 wins, they are often mocked for failing to win the championship that year. It raises the question of what truly defines success in a season.
While a championship is traditionally seen as the ultimate goal and historical validation for an NBA season, the rarity of a 73-win season, achieved only once, surpasses the commonality of championships awarded every year. The Warriors` accomplishment was statistically much rarer, yet it`s often overshadowed by their lack of a title.
This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are not on pace for 73 wins, but they have an opportunity for something almost as unique. Currently at 64-12, they are just six wins away from becoming only the third team in NBA history to reach 70 wins. Their upcoming schedule includes games against the Houston Rockets and two against the Los Angeles Lakers.
While these games present a challenge, the Thunder are expected to be favored in each, assuming their key players are available. They hold a winning record against both the Lakers and Rockets this season. If they navigate these games successfully, the path to 70 wins becomes clearer with their final games against the Phoenix Suns (potentially without Kevin Durant), the Utah Jazz, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Thunder`s current position provides mathematical incentive to keep winning. They lead the Cleveland Cavaliers by three games for the best overall NBA record, which is crucial for home-court advantage in the NBA Finals. With Cleveland`s favorable upcoming schedule, Oklahoma City still needs to secure a few more wins to solidify their top seed.
This situation is remarkably unique – rarely does a team approach April with a realistic chance at 70 wins. Typically, teams in such a position prioritize rest for the playoffs. However, the circumstances are aligning for the Thunder. Winning their next three challenging games, followed by three more winnable games, would put them at 70 wins. The question then becomes: do the Thunder actually want to pursue this historic win total?
The answer is complex. If the Cavaliers were closer in the standings, the push for 70 wins might be more critical. However, with a comfortable lead, the Thunder might prioritize rest and playoff preparation. The Warriors` 2016 experience showed the potential pitfalls of chasing records without securing the championship.
However, the Thunder`s situation differs from the 2016 Warriors. Oklahoma City has managed player minutes effectively, with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranking high in minutes played. Their depth and dominant wins have allowed them to manage player workload, reducing the risk of fatigue in the playoffs. The Thunder are not likely to underperform in the playoffs due to exhaustion from chasing regular season wins.
The Thunder`s organizational philosophy also suggests they may not prioritize 70 wins. Their past decisions, such as trading star players during rebuild, indicate a focus on long-term goals over short-term accolades. Their approach is process-oriented, prioritizing sustainable team development over chasing regular season records. Coach Mark Daigneault`s past comments emphasize that while achievements are welcome, they shouldn`t distract from the team`s core process and long-term ambitions.
While the Thunder are unlikely to intentionally lose games to avoid 70 wins, their history suggests they won`t aggressively pursue it either. Their primary goal is winning championships. Chasing 70 wins might compromise rest and increase injury risk, potentially hindering their championship aspirations. The schedule includes back-to-back games against the Lakers and Suns, presenting an opportunity to rest key players.
The Thunder are capable of winning against any team, even with their bench players, highlighting their depth. Regardless of who plays, the outcome of their remaining games is uncertain. It`s plausible that they will rest key players, and the pursuit of 70 wins will fall by the wayside.
While missing out on 70 wins might be a slight disappointment for fans, championships remain the ultimate prize. Achieving 70 wins would be a historically significant feat, joining a very exclusive group. It deserves recognition, regardless of playoff success. From a fan`s perspective, witnessing the Thunder aim for 70 wins would be exciting, as history can be made in more ways than just winning a championship.
Jasper Hawthorne