In recent NBA news, few stories have swept through the basketball landscape like the unbelievable 12-0 start by the Oklahoma City Thunder. This incredible accomplishment now places them alongside other iconic franchises such as the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics. Every one of these teams has done so as defending champions. The Thunder’s impressive run follows their previous NBA Finals victory against the Seattle SuperSonics, solidifying their status as one of the league’s elite teams.
As the season has gone on, the Thunder’s perfect start has captured attention for far more than just their record. What the team’s point differential per game doesn’t show is just how good they were on offense and defense, too. It looks like they’re poised to make some serious waves in the league this season.
Historical Context of Team Success
The 12-0 run by the Thunder extends a long history of brilliance when it comes to defending champions starting the season. Some of the most famous, highly regarded teams in NBA history—most prominently the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls—have raised the bar. The Warriors, who had the most wins in a season ever with a 73-9 record and maybe the most dominant team ever, had a plus-10.8 point differential. Their dominance was on full display all year, an ever-impressive postseason run by them only capping off that season.
With Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls were the first team under player control to lead the league in scoring. He notably won the scoring title with 29.6 points per game that season, the highest average in the league that year, earning him second place in MVP voting. The Bulls came out of the gates firing, winning their first eight games and quickly proving that they were going to be a serious threat this season.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have etched their name in history, winning 15 of their first 16 games during a past season. These numbers only further demonstrate the cutthroat competition within the NBA. They illustrate just how important a strong start to the season is to a team’s success as a whole.
Notable Performances and Records
While the Thunder’s record is fantastic, other teams have proven what breeds success (and failure) at this point in the season. The Milwaukee Bucks’ otherworldly 30-4 beginning en route to a definitive 1971-72 title. This remarkable record was a display of their ability to obliterate their competition. Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers have demonstrated resilience and talent over the years, often competing at high levels in both regular and postseason play.
The other team to look out for this season might be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s nearest competition, the Western Conference-leading Memphis Grizzlies with their recent 11-1 record. This team faced a disappointing defeat in the Western Conference finals against the Lakers but had a strong start with eight consecutive wins. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the league that season, leading the team with an astounding 31.7 points per game. Due largely to his excellence, their point differential was an incredible plus-14.4.
The introduce accomplishments of these teams are as measurement marks for success in the league. They show that no-frills consistency with a focus on performance brings teams championship dreams.
Looking Ahead
As the season rolls on, all eyes will be on the Oklahoma City Thunder. As they try to remain undefeated this season! The pressure of being a defending champion can weigh heavily on a team. Strong performances and team dynamics can propel them forward.
Given their remarkable win-loss record and even more stunning point differential, they have positioned themselves well to make a deep playoff run should they advance. The next few games will be really important. From there, they’ll see whether the crew can keep its early returns going and merit a spot beside the legendary squads forever known for their heated openers.
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