Lakers vs. Thunder: Oklahoma City Flying Under Radar as Top Team in NBA

The Oklahoma City Thunder are tied with the Miami Heat for the best record in the league at 27-7 going into the All-Star break.

They solidified that last night with a solid 100-85 beat down of the Lakers, a traditional Western Conference power. 

However, they aren’t getting the credit they are due and the hype surrounding them pales in comparison to the group down in South Beach.

This just doesn’t add up.

The Thunder possess everything a top team needs.

They have a legitimate superstar who is arguably one of the top three players in the league in Kevin Durant, an excellent point guard who can score and facilitate with Russell Westbrook as well as a core of rock solid role players installed around them.

There are no glaring weaknesses to the team besides their youth and inexperience, but remember the majority of this roster already has a Western Conference Finals run behind them.

The main reason why the public is writing them off is simple.

Their Market

Oklahoma City is a tiny area with a low number of viewers compared to somewhere like Miami.

They’ve done well enough to get a good amount of exposure in nationally televised games, but the fact of the matter is, they simply aren’t talked about outside of that.

When the New York Knicks square off against a floundering team like the New Jersey Nets, people are talking about it; when the OKC Thunder take on the Charlotte Bobcats, is anyone even watching?

It’s going to take another push from the Thunder to get back into the Western Conference Finals and they’ll have to actually make it competitive and possibly win if they want to get more respect.

It’s completely unfair, but until OKC proves they can continually make deep playoff runs, they’ll be written off.

Expect them to make some noise and silence their critics and doubters come May.