After a string of losses to some of the league's top contenders, one thing has been made very clear -- opposing teams have the OKC Thunder circled on their calendar.
From Victor Wembanyama taking shots at OKC in interviews to Wolves coach Chris Finch getting ejected in the first quarter of a game for complaining about officiating, rival clubs have appeared to bring a heightened level of intensity to the arena when Oklahoma City comes to town.
As a result, the defending champs have officially experienced their first rough patch of the season, winning just four of six contests before picking up three easy wins against the Sixers, Hawks, and Blazers over the past few days.
Fortunately, Mark Daigneault is well aware of how they're viewed across the league and appears to have a plan to navigate the noise and distractions.
In a recent press conference, the headman unveiled the perfect approach to his team having a target on its back, labeling it a "competitive privilege" that comes with the territory of being a champion.
"You can look at it as a threat, as a source of insecurity, or you can look at it as a challenge and, like I said, a privilege," Daigneault said.
Daigneault's words could not come at a better time, as the Thunder have seen a dip in production from various core players as competitive teams continue to throw their best punches.
Jalen Williams has struggled mightily against teams above .500 since returning from wrist surgery.
Cason Wallace has cooled off from beyond the arc, as he's seen his three-point percentage drop from a clip above 39.7 in November to 36.2 in December.
Lu Dort has been excruciatingly putrid from three, cashing in on a mere 32.1 percent.
Daigneault's mental discipline has been apparent all season. He has brought up the importance of not getting too emotionally high or low numerous times throughout the campaign, and has repeatedly emphasized that a "privilege over threat" mindset is exactly what a team with championship aspirations needs to maintain.
Words, however, can't put the ball in the basket.
January may give fans plenty of insight into what Thunder are made of
The upcoming month may be a true test for Loud City, as they face off against some of the league's most intimidating threats, including the Rockets, Spurs, Raptors, Suns, and Timberwolves, all of whom will likely bring heightened intensity to the arena.
With the Thunder struggling against various teams they will likely see in April, Daigneault may have to do more than just say all the right things. Rotations may need to change, defensive schemes likely need tweaking, and general manager Sam Presti may be forced to unload assets to acquire a piece or two this trade season prior to February's deadline.
For now, the Thunder will have to focus on getting healthier, playing elite defense, and maintaining the championship mindset their coach has been preaching.