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Analyst Makes NBA Finals, OKC Thunder Prediction, 'I Have My Hotel Reservations'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The NBA season is approaching the All-Star break and there is no doubt that the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of, if not, the best teams in the league.

Oklahoma City has dominated their way through the season. They have won six consecutive games and currently sit at the top of the Western Conference standings with a 43-9 record, which is also the best record in the entire NBA.

The Thunder currently lead the Memphis Grizzlies by eight games in the West, and they look as though they may have to one seed in the West locked up well before the final week of the season.

Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the way for the Thunder as he currently finds himself as the MVP frontrunner. The rest of Oklahoma City’s roster has also been impressive, including first time All-Star Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who recently returned from injury.

While the Thunder have been dominant this season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on the Hoop Collective podcast on Monday that other teams are not afraid of Oklahoma City.

“I report what people say and I believe that the West is open,” Windhorst said. “I say that but I do not want anything to be taken away from the awesomeness that is the Thunder. I have my hotel reservations for the Finals booked in Oklahoma City.”

Windhorst also mentioned that he, along with many teams around the NBA, believes that the West is wide open despite the Thunder’s dominance. Windhorst also contradicted himself by predicting that the Thunder will make it to the NBA Finals as he had already booked hotel reservations in Oklahoma City.

While some teams believe that the West is wide open, it is clear that the Thunder are the best team. Despite this, their youth may be an issue in the playoffs like it was last season, but with playoff experience now under their belt, Oklahoma City should be considered the favorite to come out of the West this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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