NBA Legends Confident OKC Thunder 'Want The Smoke'

The Oklahoma City Thunder sit at the top of the Western Conference despite their inexperience, Two NBA Legends are confident the team will rise to the occasion in the postseason.
NBA Legends Confident OKC Thunder 'Want The Smoke'
NBA Legends Confident OKC Thunder 'Want The Smoke' /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder (45-19) sit atop the Western Conference despite their lack of experience and size concerns. The OKC Thunder have been one of the best teams in basketball holding a top-five offensive, defensive, and net rating during the 2023-24 campaign.

Kevin Garnett is confident the OKC Thunder are "ready for the big stage," despite being one of the youngest teams in the NBA. 

The Celtics great went on to say "These young boys want the smoke. Man, are you watching? Those boys want [The smoke], they are young, but they want that. All this smoke and all this build-up, guess who is creating it? They are," the former NBA Champion said on his Podcast KG Certified

Garnett also on to praise Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, saying "Shai is a rock star, yo," the veteran said. 

Paul Pierce agreed with his former Power Forward on that same episode that the OKC Thunder want the smoke but added "We have to see it though," highlighting the experience other Western Conference foes have. 

Despite the Thunder's inexperience, they possess a ton of confidence in themselves and each other. That trust between teammates along with having the favorite for Coach of the Year the leader in the clubhouse for the MVP award who is flanked by a pair of rising stars, one of the best home court advantages in the NBA, and a plethora of depth, Oklahoma City will be a force in the playoffs.


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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network.