‘Last year is over’: Oklahoma City launch title defense as NBA’s parity era faces test
Summary
The Oklahoma City Thunder are aiming to win back-to-back NBA championships, a feat not achieved since 2019. They have been the top seed in the Western Conference for three years in a row and are led by star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is a favorite to win the MVP award again.Key Facts
- No NBA team has defended its title successfully since the Golden State Warriors in 2019.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the third consecutive year.
- Historically, only a few teams have held the top seed in their conference for three straight years and then won the championship.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is considered a leading candidate for the league MVP for the second year in a row.
- Gilgeous-Alexander’s playing efficiency has drawn praise from NBA star LeBron James.
- There have been seven different NBA champions in the past seven years, highlighting league parity.
- Veteran player Alex Caruso advises younger teammates to stay focused and present during their title defense.
- The Thunder’s head coach Mark Daigneault notes the team's maturity and focus during the long season.
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