Tue Feb 25 03:50:00 UTC 2025: ## ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Remains Skeptical of Thunder’s Championship Chances Despite Dominant Season

**Oklahoma City, OK** – The Oklahoma City Thunder are having a historic season, boasting a league-leading 44-10 record, the best point differential, and the best net rating in NBA history. All signs point to them being serious title contenders, yet ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith remains unconvinced.

While acknowledging the Thunder’s impressive performance and praising Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (“SGA,” his MVP pick), Smith refuses to label them “legit” championship contenders. His skepticism stems from the franchise’s past failures to win a title despite assembling star-studded rosters featuring players like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Paul George under General Manager Sam Presti.

“I think Sam Presti is one of the elite executives in the game,” Smith conceded. “But the man still hasn’t won a championship… I don’t know if there’s some black cat running around that franchise, I don’t know what the hell is going on, but somehow, someway, they find a way not to get it done.”

Smith’s reluctance to fully endorse the Thunder, even with their overwhelming dominance this season, highlights the difficulty of overcoming past disappointments and the unpredictable nature of championship contention. While acknowledging Presti’s skill in building championship-caliber teams, Smith’s comments underscore the high bar set for a franchise seeking to finally break through and capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The Thunder, however, will aim to prove their doubters wrong on the court.

Read More