Why isn’t playoff inexperience holding OKC back as people claimed?

[dirkdiggler4177]

Because Luka is injured. This series is a different series with 35ppg on 50% Luka is playing.

[dirkdiggler4177]

By the way, the inexperienced comes when the game is close and you are in the 4th quarter. Experienced stars like Kyrie know when to attack and they dont go completly down on themself when they are not able to get what they want. They are basically more in control.

[svart]

Because LUKA and Dallas as a TEAM are overrated. As long as Luka walks it up and does his ISO stuff, they will always lose to complete team basketball. Note: Clippers play the same dumb ISO ball as Dalla, hence the win in first round.

mavs this year are not luka and friends anymore, they trust each other and the ball moves better, especially after the additions from the trade deadline.

[ThunderBolt]

Most people don't watch okc enough to make informed opinions about the team.

[druggas]

One game?

[iLLmatic860]

Starts with your leader

Sga is the real deal

[The Servant]

That first game was a hard fought nail biter and it made them believe they belonged to be there. They also ground out so many games over the regular season, they know how to close.

[Ito]

The other teams aren’t necessarily experienced either Nuggets playing like they lost in the first round instead the last couple years

[3ddman23]

Sga is an mvp that's why. Any young team would benefit from an mvp Shai....

[itrsteve]

Unless they're in a close elimination game, the inexperience component doesn't factor in IMO. They get the freedom of playing fast, loose and without any expectations to match. It's all house money and I don't hate to see it. Outside of Boston and Denver, that applies to the other 6 remaining teams.

[ChipotleWest]

Because Luka is injured. This series is a different series with 35ppg on 50% Luka is playing.

This is the simple answer right here, not all the other reasons.

It doesn't matter if you're an inexperienced team if there's no threat. They're out there playing like it's the regular season. Dallas would need to take the lead in the series then we would all see how OKC responds, we're not going to see that without a healthy Luka. Minnesota is going to test them like Dallas can't though.

[bovice]

experience is a factor. life isn't black and white

[Mamba Mentality]

I’m pulling for the Thunder but they’ve had a lucky draw so far going up against a Pelicans team without Zion and an injured Luka. Not trying to discredit them as that isn’t something in their control, but they haven’t really been tested thus far. All that being said, this team has taken on the identity of their best player who I’ve said is the closest thing to Kobe for the better part of two seasons now.

[vxmike]

For one thing they played a bad Pelicans team without their best player. Now they are playing a team that missed the playoffs last year and got through an injury depleted Clippers team.

However, Mavs are a good test for them. I predicted the Mavs to win the series and still think they’ll get it done.

Now they’re playing the Mavs with a crippled Luka. It’s not a fair fight.

The Clippers' best player could barely suit up against the Mavs. Were you equally dismayed by that lack of fairness?

OKC beat up a Pelicans team without Zion. It’s not about fairness just stating facts. I don’t think anyone is trying to take away OKC’s strength just pointing out they’ve played hobbled opponents thus far.

Unfortunately injuries play a huge part in winning. Health is an underrated skill.

[AlexanderRight]

Read on Twitter

Why was this fallacy constantly repeated? Now they are still undefeated like Minny in the playoffs with mostly blowout wins.

Petty much? Even if they turn out to be wrong, that doesn't make it a fallacy. They're the youngest #1 Seed ever. Can you blame people for being skeptical. And besides, it's not just OKC doing well. This post season is a blank canvas for all this wave's new era's stars/teams. OKC/SGA, MIN/KAT, NY/Brunson, INDY/Haliburton, Dallas/Luka.

[Mr B]

Read on Twitter

This was something I laughed at every night on forums, Twitter, and sports shows. People talking about how being so young and inexperienced they were. I kept reminding them that OKC is a two way dominant team with stupid energy and athleticism, while being extremely well coached.

Experience like “clutch” isn’t some magical fairy that makes or breaks a team. Basketball is about defense and offense. They are great at both and have lots of guys on the bench that can play too.

Why was this fallacy constantly repeated? Now they are still undefeated like Minny in the playoffs with mostly blowout wins.

Playing two hobbled teams helps.

[nbafan38]

I know this is not a popular take but I still wouldn't have been surprised if the lakers beat them in round 1. OKC so far hasn't really played a healthy team with championship level experience so to speak and they may not all playoffs at this rate. Nothing against them, what they are doing is really fun.

[hardenASG13]

Read on Twitter

This was something I laughed at every night on forums, Twitter, and sports shows. People talking about how being so young and inexperienced they were. I kept reminding them that OKC is a two way dominant team with stupid energy and athleticism, while being extremely well coached.

Experience like “clutch” isn’t some magical fairy that makes or breaks a team. Basketball is about defense and offense. They are great at both and have lots of guys on the bench that can play too.

Why was this fallacy constantly repeated? Now they are still undefeated like Minny in the playoffs with mostly blowout wins.

The notion of the inexperienced team is outdated. There used to be several established teams each year that had been to the playoffs, won series etc., which usually meant young teams struggled to beat them at first. That hasn't been the case this decade really. We have Denver, who beat a weak path last year, and Boston. That's really it. I don't think they can beat Boston, but advocated all year they could beat Denver, or anyone out west. There's no reason they can't win the West, or even the title as Boston ultimately hasn't proved a ton and inexplicably lost to the heat last year (though they are much improved this year). The thunder are legit

[kenwood3333]

Their opporents don't have much playoff experience either.

[WemBA Time]

Having a more talented roster than the opponent is more important than having one with playoff experience.