I would say probably…yes–given how much better the Denver Nuggets should be if they avoid serious injuries during the season.
But I will add this hastily–there need to be nights when we witness both JDub and Chet play at Superman levels themselves.
Shai is the star. JDub is Robin who on certain nights will play at an MVP level himself. Chet is the extra piece. If he can stay healthy and go thru an entire season without serious injury—he’s the piece which potentially makes the Thunder a possible repeat team, but perhaps even a little more, maybe a mini-dynasty which could do what we’ve just witnessed the Kansas City Chiefs do these last six years or so.
Sam Presti has done his work.
As the Thunder are currently structured this franchise at the least has an open window to an NBA championship for at least six seasons.
Injuries and fate will play a part in this. Those two unpredictables always come into play. A general manager cannot control those two variables.
I have not watched either the the Thunder or Nuggets play a combined ten minutes of pre-season basketball.
MJ detests NBA pre-season games. Pre season games are for evaluation and in some cases conditioning.
This is by far the most amped I’ve been for an NBA season since I started my modest award winning underground NBA blog.
So…in closing—does Shai have to be Superman for the Thunder to repeat?
Yeah…there are and will still be times he needs to be Superman like George Springer was last night, but what I think most NBA bloggers like myself are looking for…is how far JDub and Chet move their games upward this season.
I’m ready for this to get going.
MJ