As March Madness unfolds on the collegiate courts, the NBA has its own compelling narrative brewing between two small-market powerhouses that are defying expectations.
Neither was expected to dominate the league this season, yet here they stand.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have assembled a nearly flawless campaign with the NBA’s best record, narrowly ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In the Eastern Conference, Cleveland enjoys a comfortable cushion over the defending champion Boston Celtics.
However, not everyone is ready to crown the Cavs as the season’s most remarkable story.
“But with respect to the Cleveland Cavaliers, I think the Thunder have had the most impressive season up to this point. Even though the Cavs have a tick better record, I believe the Thunder, in the far tougher conference, or at least more complete conference, but they have the best team, and they have a guy (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) who is having the best season,” FOX Sports host Nick Wright said on “First Things First.”
"With respect to the Cleveland Cavaliers, I think the Thunder have had the most impressive season up to this point. They have the best team and, they have a guy [SGA] who's having the best season."
— @getnickwright reacts to OKC's dominant season 💪 pic.twitter.com/CObyoQkYLK
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 13, 2025
Wright’s argument centers on the Western Conference’s superior depth and competition, making Oklahoma City’s near-equivalent success more noteworthy.
He points to the Thunder’s victories against elite opponents, including a statement win against the Celtics without key contributor Jalen Williams, as evidence of their exceptional depth and resilience.
While Wright stops short of declaring the Thunder championship favorites, he dismisses comparisons to previous regular-season wonders that faltered in the playoffs.
Unlike the Rudy Gobert-era Utah Jazz or the 60-win Atlanta Hawks that crumbled under postseason pressure, Wright sees something more substantial in the Thunder.
Therefore, he wouldn’t be surprised by a deep playoff run or a championship.
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