OKC Thunder One Win Away from Phil Jackson’s Contender Rule

The Oklahoma City Thunder are only one win away from passing the litmus test laid out for NBA contenders by Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (39-17) are off to a hot start this season. While they have consistently been among the best teams in the NBA, many have hesitated to crown the Thunder as contenders due to their lack of experience. 

Despite being a top-five team in net, defensive, and offensive rating for the vast majority of this season, it has been challenging to go out on a limb and stamp this roster with an average age of 24.7 as a legitimate threat. 

However, Legendary head coach and 11-time NBA Champion Phil Jackson has a theory that any team that wins 40 games before they rack up 20 losses is immediately a legitimate contender that season. 

This has been used as a good model to project postseason success; any time an NBA legend makes that type of proclamation, you have to listen. As a battle-tested bench boss that has seen what championship-level teams have looked like up close and personal throughout the season. 

During the 2023-24 campaign, the Boston Celtics (44-12) have already reached this mark in the Eastern Conference. Though the only other team out east with a shot to turn in 40 wins before 20 losses is the Cleveland Cavilers (36-19) who will need to rattle off a long winning streak. 

Out West, while no one has reached the mark yet, the Thunder (39-17), Timberwolves (39-17), Clippers (37-18), and Denver Nuggets (38-19) are still in contention to make it happen.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the driver's seat to reach this mark with a favorable schedule ahead, taking on the Rockets twice, Spurs, Suns, Lakers, and Trail Blazers as their next six games. 

OKC just needs to pick up a single win before dropping three games to officially plant their flag on Contenders Island, according to the zen master. 

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