⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tom's Title Tiers #15

I called my shot with OKC in preseason. It's time to call another one.

Jan 08, 2024

∙ Paid

Shai and the kids have arrived. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Before the season, I predicted OKC would crash the title contender party this season. They began at a three-star level in my book. Then I promoted them to four stars. Are they now a top-tier title contender? Gasp — five stars?

Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers. A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit. Consider this a weekly report of what I see on film; what I glean from the numbers; what I hear on the phone; what I read in the news; what I feel.

This week’s featured squad: the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here’s a quick rundown of each tier.

Tom’s Title Tiers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a complete team, no notes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just missing that one thing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ One move away from being one move away.

⭐️⭐️ So much has to break right.

⭐️ Sooo you’re saying there’s a chance.

So, where did the Thunder land? And do I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the MVP hype? Lots of movement this week. Who got shuffled around?

Let’s find out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a complete team, no notes.

Boston Celtics

Last week: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Record: 28-7 | 120.9 aORtg (1st), 110.7 aDRtg (2nd), aNet +10.2 (1st)

Check out this month’s post on the Celtics’ dominant starting five!

Denver Nuggets 📈

Last week: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Record: 26-12 | 119.5 (3rd), 114.3 (14th), +5.3 (4th)

Good to see Aaron Gordon back. Their brief four-star status will be forgotten — thankfully.

Oklahoma City Thunder 📈