OKC Thunder 'Can Not Beat the Lakers' According to Bill Simmons

The Oklahoma City Thunder are awaiting the Play-In Tournament fall out to prepare for their first round opponent in the NBA Playoffs

Mar 4, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After a wild weekend that featured the lowly San Antonio Spurs (22-60) mounting a 20-point comeback against the Denver Nuggets (57-25), and the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25) taking care of business like Elvis' TCB band, the Thunder wound up as the No. 1 seed in the wild Western Conference.

As Oklahoma City becomes the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history with an average age of 23.9, National pundits have already begun the process of overthinking this first-round series as playoff previews begin.

The Ringer's Bill Simmons had his weekly Sunday with Russillo Podcast on April 14 where the duo discussed the NBA playoffs, including the Thunder capturing the one seed.

Oklahoma City awaits the conclusion of the play-in tournament before knowing their opponent which will be one of the Lakers, Pelicans, Kings or Warriors. Simmons is fearful for the Thunder if they square off with the Lakers.

Bill Simmons thinks the Lakers are in the best case scenario and would beat the Thunder due to OKC’s lack of size.

“OKC Can not beat the Lakers” pic.twitter.com/93PeHJG8SF

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) April 15, 2024

"OKC can not beat the Lakers. That was the worst-case scenario if that is the one/eight...Do [The Lakers] Through the 7/8 game to play OKC? A team that you have played a couple of times this year and you seem so much more bigger, more physical and overpowering than them and they have no experience in the playoffs" Simmons said on his podcast.

While the premise of the Lakers being a difficult matchup for the Thunder is more than fair, what is unfair is the idea that Oklahoma City flat-out can not beat the Lakers.

If the Lakers knock off the Pelicans on Tuesday they will advance to play the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, though with a loss they have to beat the winner of the Warriors vs Kings play-in game on Friday to advance to play the Thunder.

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