Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t losing sleep over what other NBA players think of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Asked about recent commentary that teams around the league “don’t fear” the Thunder heading into the playoffs, Shai responded with trademark calm and confidence:
“I have zero reaction. I don’t care how much teams fear us. If we win games, I don’t care how much they fear us, like us. None of that matters to me.”
His words echoed a sentiment that has defined Oklahoma City’s incredible 2024–25 campaign: winning speaks louder than narratives. And the Thunder have done a lot of winning.
At 68–14, the Thunder posted the sixth-best regular season record in NBA history. Their +13.05 point differential per game was the highest ever recorded, and they led the NBA in net rating by a historic margin.
No team had more road wins than OKC, who went 32–9 away from Paycom Center and swept 21 different opponents. They also finished 29–1 against the Eastern Conference—the best inter-conference record in league history.
Despite all that, some analysts and former players remain skeptical. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently stated that teams “don’t fear” the Thunder due to their youth and postseason inexperience.
Gilbert Arenas went a step further, outright dismissing them as NBA Finals contenders. But the Thunder seem more focused on making statements on the court than responding to talk shows or podcasts.
And if Game 1 of their playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies is any indication, that statement is loud and clear.
At the time this article was being written, the Thunder were leading the Grizzlies 80–36 midway through the third quarter. That’s a 44-point lead. They also uncorked a devastating 30–5 run, overwhelming Memphis with suffocating defense and blistering pace.
Oklahoma City ended the regular season with the third-best offensive rating in the league and the top-ranked defense by a considerable margin. Their roster is deep and versatile, boasting an elite blend of skill, switchability, and athleticism.
Chet Holmgren provides elite rim protection and spacing. Jalen Williams continues to grow into an all-around star. Lu Dort remains one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
And at the center of it all is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP candidate who averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while leading the league in 20-, 30-, and 40-point games.
Still, many remain unconvinced, at least for now. Maybe it’s the lack of playoff pedigree. Maybe it’s the average age of the roster. But as Shai said, none of that matters when you’re stacking wins and blowing teams out by 40 in the postseason.
So let them doubt. Let the talking heads keep underestimating. The Thunder aren’t trying to be feared, they’re trying to be champions. And if they keep playing like this, it won’t matter who believes in them. The rest of the league will have no choice but to take notice.
