The Oklahoma City Thunder keep on winning—with a league-best 64 games and a chance to reach the exclusive 70-win club. They are 14 games ahead of the second seed in the West. Additionally, they also hold the MVP favorites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on their side. But still, the team isn’t being acknowledged as title contenders because of their inexperience. To add salt to the wound, SGA got embarrassed on live television.

The technician put up another solid stat line in the Thunder’s win against the Detroit Pistons. He led the way with 33 points, 3 steals and 2 blocks. However, his game didn’t look as uninterrupted as it normally does. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only shot 10-26 from the field. That led to a Pistons announcement ripping into him.

As he shot free throws to MVP chants, legendary commentator George Blaha highlighted his struggles. He just did so with a sharp knife. “A measly 3 assists for SGA and 10/26 shooting. He may be the MVP, but he’s not the best player in the world. The Joker is the best player in the world. He had a 61-point triple-double last night and had more than 3 assists,” he said as the OKC talisman took free throws.

Maybe Blaha’s emotions weren’t as organized due to the result. As unsavory as it appeared, Shai found a way to steer the Thunder to a victory. Moreover, the leading scorer in the NBA has done it time and time again. The MVP race specifically is just as tight or maybe more than the current Western Conference.

Nikola Jokic has put up spectacular performances throughout the season just like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While the Nuggets are the fourth seed, the Thunder is the best seed in the NBA and for the second time the first seed in the West. And without SGA’s consistency, it would have been close to impossible to achieve it.

The genius scorer is one of the best players in the league because of his ability to produce no matter how tough a day he is having. Blaha’s comments seemed more out of frustration rather than his opinion.

Are the Oklahoma City bound to fail?

This has to be said again. The Oklahoma City Thunder is the youngest team in the NBA this season. Yet, they have outperformed themselves since last year. The team had some difficulties when playing on the road last season. This year, they have the best record when away from home. Furthermore, stars such as Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Jalen Williams have all elevated their game.

But is being the best team enough? History proves it’s not. As Alan Hahn pointed out, “I mean, that is incredible the year that they’re having. But as we all know, you’re judged by now what you do with these great seasons. Can you get that championship and we all know the 73-win Warriors team was not able to do that and they’ll always have to carry that,”.

That Warriors team posted the best record in regular season history but lost to a miraculous comeback. It also happened only a year after they first won. So, Stephen Curry and the Bay had some experience on their sides. They fell short for a few seasons before making it to the top. That’s where Marcus Morris feels the Thunder are lacking.

“Let’s go back a little bit. I was on the Boston Celtics team right when Jayson Tatum was a rookie, when Jaylen Brown was in his second season. We got to the Eastern Conference Finals and lost against a LeBron James team right. That’s getting down to the mix, that’s getting your feet wet and seeing what it like to get to the mountaintop and getting knocked down and have something to prepare for in the second season. They do not have enough guys that’s been through that,” he said on Get Up.

And it is true. The Thunder team doesn’t have an abundance of postseason experience. But they have added more than they did last year. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have been part of deep playoff runs. Likewise, with the caliber of players they boast, OKC needed poise on their side. These two can bring that to the table.

Then in terms of talent and matchups, the Thunder have won 11 games in a row and don’t look to stop. Young or not, they have learned from their errors and should be respected for what they have achieved.