This OKC Thunder team is clearly miles ahead of the rest of the league, and they seem to prove as much on a nightly basis.
From their top-shelf star power and ridiculous roster depth to the elite coaching staff running the show on the sidelines, it seems that this team has an edge over just about every team they square off against.
Interestingly enough, however, arguably one of the biggest advantages they have at their disposal is something no one seems to talk about, so veteran pundit Max Kellerman decided to shed light on exactly that during a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where he told the eponymous host that the less-than-sexy location in which the Thunder play is ironically an inherent plus.
Thunder thrive by playing in a 'sleepy town' like Oklahoma City
Recounting a conversation he had with Klutch Sports' Rich Paul, Kellerman discussed how the CEO believed Oklahoma City's history-setting point differential from 2024-25 came with a built-in handicap because "they play in OKC."
In response, Kellerman claims to have shot back at Paul, saying that he would think visiting players would actually bring their A-games when playing in Oklahoma City because they'd be well rested, for, as he noted, it comes across as a "sleepy town."
However, Paul told him that this alone is an advantage for the Thunder, for with no top-billed attractions or bright-light activities, opposing players come into the Sooner State with a less-than-enthusiastic mentality, which, in turn, can negatively affect their on-court production.
"He said there's no energy when you get there. The teams that they're going to face are not energized. They're already thinking, 'In a couple of nights we're going to be in LA, we're going to do this and this and this,' and there's no juice," Kellerman said.
In some ways, this almost seems like the "vibes" equivalent to how the Nuggets have a natural advantage when hosting games at home due to the impacts of the high altitude that come with playing out in the Mile High City.
Fortunately, as is the case with Denver, these Thunder players are already used to and accepting of the fact that Oklahoma City may not have the same amenities as Los Angeles, Miami, or New York.
However, as GM Sam Presti stated after the ball club's championship run just last season, and as Chet Holmgren reiterated heading into their title-defense campaign in 2025-26, OKC is the only place where fans will come up to the players and say "thank you" rather than "congratulations," which, at the end of the day, is far more desierable than any hot new club or Michelin Star restaurant.