The Oklahoma City Thunder have been far and away the best team in the West throughout this NBA regular season, and out of the entire league only the Cleveland Cavaliers have been able to keep pace in the win column. If last year was OKC's arrival this year is hammering home that the Thunder are not a one-year wonder and instead are here to stay atop the Western Conference standings, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Playoff success has yet to come for this OKC core, though, which apparently has led to a certain lack of respect for how threatening they are. ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst relayed the blunt thoughts of other players on First Take Wednesday, stating they "just don't respect" the Thunder as championship contenders.
