Should the OKC Thunder be feared? In the first game of the season, the Thunder are already creating shockwaves. The team delivered an impressive performance, defeating the Denver Nuggets by 15 points 102-87. It wasn’t easy for this younger squad to face a team with greater strength and experience. Perhaps that’s why Shaquille O’Neal believes the Thunder are a dangerous team. He has more to share on this perspective.

The Denver Nuggets are undoubtedly more experienced than the Thunder. However, as The Big Aristotle noted, the Thunder maximized their chances of winning by addressing one critical issue. O’Neal points out that, unlike other teams, the Thunder players aren’t competing against each other for individual accolades. 

Instead, the young players have shown a strong commitment to supporting one another. As Shaq explained, a young team plays like that pose a significant threat to its opponents. “So, OKC, to your point, they’re younger. They play together. They care about each other. You can tell at the post-game interview. They understand their roles. It says, Che, you’re the guy. Do what you do, and everybody else’s play is checked. When you have a young team that plays together, not worried about egos, not worrying about titles and who’s the man. They’re a very dangerous team,” O’Neal said.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an outstanding night, scoring 28 points on 11 of 24 shooting. He even teased a triple-double already with 7 rebounds and 8 assists. While Alex Caruso may not have had a bucket, his impact was felt throughout the game, just like Aaron Wiggins, who led the team in the third quarter with 15 points on 7 of 9 shooting and 6 rebounds.

Stealing the spotlight was Chet Holmgren, who stepped up to lead the team with 25 points going 61% from the field, and 14 rebounds, maintaining a strong front while playing against MVP Nikola Jokic. Impressive? That’s what Chuck thought about the Thunder.

Can the OKC win the NBA title? 

What do you think? The Philadelphia 76ers legend Charles Barkley believes that the OKC is close to achieving the victory that has eluded them for so many years. The team just secured a win in their season opener, and the excitement was palpable among the TNT panel. O’Neal is confident about the threat the OKC poses, and if you ask Barkley, he thinks the team can win the NBA title.

Alexander is already among the top five players, as per Barkley. He is thrilled to see how SGA has been playing and leading the team, noting his exceptional contributions. “I don’t like them Ernie, I love them. They got it all, they got a superstar right there in Shai. The thing I liked about them is that they addressed their weaknesses by getting Caruso and getting Hartenstein. We need a bigger body for the Joker, for Anthony Davis, people like that. I don’t think this team doesn’t go to the Finals, I think they’re gonna win the championship,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA.

Comparing him (SGH) to Kawhi Leonard in his prime, Chuck has placed high expectations on the Thunder. If they heed Shaq’s advice and maintain a similar pace in their games, could we see Barkley’s prediction come true?