Ahead of Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, LeBron James opened up on what makes the reigning Western Conference champs such a challenge to defeat. In a segment on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast, James gave a detailed scouting report of OKC, detailing their key strengths as a unit.
“They have the ability to play two bigs, two mobile bigs,” said James. “Then they have the ability to go small and play smaller with a lineup that’s just super fast, super agitating, super quick. Rudy Gobert, as big as he is, Nikola Jokic, as big as he is, they [the Thunder] get offensive rebounds and it’s like a swarm. You see guys jumping on their backs, guys coming up from underneath and stripping the ball. Once they get a strip and they’re off to the races, that’s their game. You turn the ball over versus OKC and it’s going to be a layup or a dunk. They don’t fear size. They have them dogs, they have them athletic guys, and then they have the intelligence.”
LeBron saw the Thunder up close during three regular-season matchups this season. OKC won two of the three, including a 16-point win at home on April 8. Against the Thunder, James averaged 19.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, a clear indication that their defense had him figured out.
Despite their youth and inexperience, the Thunder secured the top seed in the West with the league’s best record (68-14), and now they are on track to win their first NBA championship in franchise history. With series wins over the Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Timberwolves, the Thunder have one last obstacle to endure before they achieve ultimate success.
While the Pacers will no doubt provide a major challenge, the Thunder are well-equipped to handle the pressure, and LeBron James himself has been impressed with their growth. On the court, the Thunder have developed their chemistry to work seamlessly together, and every player gives their maximum effort on both ends of the floor.
Between the length and skill of Chet Holmgren, the leadership of Shai, and the depth provided by Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and others, the Thunder are easily the deepest team in the league, and they play with an air of confidence that demands they be taken seriously.
The versatility of their roster allows the Thunder to adapt to any situation and tweak their rotation for every matchup. In the playoffs this year, we’ve seen their versatility in full display with dominance in just about every category on the court.
For the Thunder, it’s all led up to this moment: a chance to win the NBA Finals and bring home a championship. With history at stake, these next few games will be crucial for the Thunder and may determine their course of action in the coming offseason.
With talks about a potential trade for Kevin Durant, things are bound to get interesting in Oklahoma City this summer, but they don’t need any major moves to continue their current trajectory. With their core still young and yet to hit their prime, the Thunder dynasty is only just beginning, and LeBron James knows what they’ve built is special.
