The Athletic NBA Daily – "Are the Thunder Breaking the NBA?"

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour, S. (Sports Analyst), Andrew Schlecht

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Dave DuFour, S., and Andrew Schlecht dive into the NBA’s hottest storylines: the surging New Orleans Pelicans and, in the main event, whether the Oklahoma City Thunder are breaking—or have already broken—the NBA. The hosts dissect the Thunder’s dominance, discuss the impact of roster decisions, internal development, future draft picks, and their Western Conference rivals, all while weaving in sharp, humorous commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Pelicans’ Remarkable Turnaround

(03:45–09:41)

• Recent Success & Coaching Shift:
  The Pelicans clinch their fifth consecutive win, defying skeptics after a midseason coaching change to James Borrego.

  • “We wrote them off, they make a coaching change, and all of a sudden, things are a little bit different.” — Dave DuFour (04:02)
  • Derrick Queen is now the franchise cornerstone at center, a bold and rapid decision for the team’s direction.

• Role Changes Fueling Success:
  Jeremiah Fears starts at point guard, while high-powered scorers Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole thrive off the bench, maximizing offensive firepower and helping manage Zion’s minutes for durability.

  • “What bench player can you think of that drops 24 points on 14 shots for you?” — S. (05:28)
  • Borrego’s schemes get Zion “moving without the ball,” utilizing his downhill gravity for both scoring and playmaking (Dave DuFour, 05:44–06:26).

• Injuries and Depth:
  The bench, including Sadiq Bey’s revival, has been crucial. With Zion’s manageable minutes and Queen’s versatility, Pelicans boast unexpected depth.

• Play-In Hopes:
  With improved play, they're only five games back from the play-in.

  • “They do not have an incentive to lose... That would have been a great talent to add to this current fun Pelicans group. They don't have that option right now, but I think ultimately maybe they can make the play in.” — S. (08:02)

• Dejounte Murray’s Impending Return:
  His January/February return is described as “not bad to add an all star level point guard to your team right now.” — S. (09:25)

2. Are the Thunder Breaking the NBA?

(14:18–34:47)

Thunder's Depth, Resilience, and Stars

• Win Over Grizzlies Despite Injuries:
  Thunder beat Memphis with a rotated, shorthanded lineup (“No Chet, no Hartenstein, no Caruso… and yet they still find ways to win games.” — Dave DuFour, 15:18)
• Rest and Load Management:
  Strategic rest is implemented for key players owing to densely packed schedule and minor injuries. (Andrew Schlecht, 15:59–16:56)

SGA’s Ascendancy & Team Record

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Historic Consistency:
  SGA logs his 100th straight game of at least 20 points, second only to Wilt Chamberlain (17:12).

  • “If he's wide open, I will say layup, that ball's going in. And even if he is guarded, if he can get to his spots, it's pretty much over.” — Andrew Schlecht (17:48)
  • 31 pts/10 reb/8 ast/4 stl/1 blk in the win; described as “jaw dropping stuff.”
  • “He threw the ball off the backboard to himself… to throw it to Brandon Carlson… And he did.” — (18:32–18:44)

• Winning Culture:
  Thunder’s regular season record: 84–16 in their last 100 games (19:09)

Development and Asset Stockpile

• Young Players' Progress:
  Jalen Williams (“Dub”), Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace continue to develop, the latter growing into a versatile defender with "all-defense" potential.

  • “Cason’s development has probably gone under the radar… but he’s gotten a lot better for them.”— Andrew Schlecht (20:10)

• Internal Competition and Flexibility:
  Remarkable guard depth likened to Spurs' build: “What if we just had all of them?” — Andrew Schlecht (25:27–26:48).

  • No need to trade off similar skillsets; versatility is a luxury.

• Title Window with Draft Capital:
  Thunder hold the Clippers’ pick (projected high lottery) for 2026, maintaining a championship core while preparing to potentially add another star talent on a rookie contract.

Key Quotes on the Thunder’s Dominance

• “It’s not so much they’re breaking it as they’ve broken it, because they’re better than everyone and they own all of the draft picks.” — Dave DuFour (03:51)
• “Thunder have guys upon guys upon guys and now guys on deck.” — Dave DuFour (33:40)

Potential Draft Picks and Financial Strategy

• The Luxury of Best Available:
  The Thunder can afford to draft pure upside:
  • “It's insane that you can just pick best player available with the number one overall pick. No, no, I know, but it's the Oklahoma City Thunder and they have three losses this season.” — S. (30:55)
• Fit, Opportunity, and Cap Savings:
  Integrating a high lotto pick can help manage payroll and extend contention:
  • “If they did get a guy like Cameron Boozer in, then like you don't have to necessarily keep these guys around. That cost $30 million, right?” — Andrew Schlecht (32:49)

3. The West’s Peaking Teams: Nuggets, Spurs, Rockets

(23:08–29:50)

Biggest Thunder Threats

• Denver Nuggets:
  Reigning champs, experience, and depth cited as sole real threat.
  • “When these games get tight, you turn to the best players in the world, and they have one of those guys.” — Andrew Schlecht (24:27)
• Houston’s Promise:
  Rockets’ “point differential” lauded as a key contender metric.
• San Antonio Spurs:
  Drawing comparisons to Thunder’s trajectory, but “too young” right now; Warriors’/Thunder’s 2012 Finals run used as a comparison.
  • “A lot of it's about Victor Wembanyama, like, that's where it all starts.” — Andrew Schlecht (25:27)
  • Spurs’ guard-depth reminiscent of Thunder’s own “too many guards” perception; both teams simply keep drafting and developing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Thunder’s Asset Hoard:
  “They own all of the draft picks.” — Dave DuFour (03:51)

• SGA’s Streak:
  “100 straight games of 20 plus points for him. The only guy left is Wilt Chamberlain in 26 games, which by the way, I feel like he's going to get guys.” — S. (17:12)

• On Young Talent & Winning:
  “There's never been a basketball team that said we don’t have enough guys that know how to dribble and make decisions ever.” — Dave DuFour (27:07)

• Draft Flexibility:
  “What really, I don't know that people are talking about this as much is that this could help the Thunder’s financials so much.” — Andrew Schlecht (32:47)

• Thunder’s Breakthrough:
  “The Thunder are breaking the NBA. That’s the headline for tonight.” — Dave DuFour (33:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:45] – Pelicans turn it around: Queen/Fears installed as starters, Zion off the bench
• [08:02] – Play-in speculation for Pelicans
• [09:25] – Dejounte Murray’s return discussed
• [14:18] – Thunder injury report, surviving shorthanded
• [17:12] – SGA’s record 100-game 20+ points streak
• [19:09] – Thunder’s 84–16 record last 100 games
• [20:10] – Player development: Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace
• [23:08] – Thunder’s biggest threats (Nuggets, Rockets, Spurs)
• [25:27] – Spurs’ similarities to Thunder’s past build
• [29:50] – Clippers pick and its implications for Thunder
• [32:47] – Lottery pick as financial boon for Thunder

Summary: Is the Thunder Actually Breaking the NBA?

The consensus is clear: the Thunder’s excellence on the court and asset management off it is unrivaled in the NBA right now. They marry elite talent, youth, developmental culture, and financial flexibility, with a potential top-three lottery pick to increase their already staggering depth. SGA’s MVP-level play, the internal leaps from supporting stars, and the ability to play "best player available" roulette in the draft all underscore how the Thunder are indeed “breaking the NBA”—and their reign atop the league might just be starting.