The Curious Case of 70 Wins: Does OKC Even Care?

Alright, so here we are, watching the Oklahoma City Thunder just… do their thing. And what a thing it is, honestly. This youthful, ridiculously athletic squad has absolutely stormed through the season, defying expectations at every turn. They’re fast, they’re tenacious, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Well, he’s simply on another planet, you could say. Naturally, as the wins piled up, as they began to truly dominate, a whisper started, then a murmur, then, boom, a full-blown roar: “Could they hit 70 wins?”

It’s a tantalizing thought, isn't it? Seventy victories in a single NBA season is, in truth, an almost mythical benchmark, a club so exclusive it counts only a handful of legends. We're talking about the '96 Bulls, those incredible Warriors. To even be in that conversation suggests a team of historic caliber. And for the Thunder, a team still finding its footing, still growing up before our very eyes, the mere mention felt almost… audacious. But here’s the thing, truly, does this particular group, this specific organization, even want to chase such a monumental, record-breaking feat?

You see, while the allure of etching your name in the record books is powerful, almost intoxicating for some, it’s not always aligned with the grander vision, especially for a team like OKC. For General Manager Sam Presti, a man known for his long-game strategy, and for coach Mark Daigneault, who fosters a culture of constant, organic improvement, the ultimate prize isn't a regular season number. It’s the Larry O'Brien trophy. Plain and simple. And chasing 70 wins, particularly with a roster as young and as injury-prone-potential as theirs, carries significant risks.

Consider the toll. An intense push in the final weeks, playing starters heavy minutes, foregoing crucial rest — it all adds up. It can wear down bodies, yes, but also minds. The postseason, we know, is an entirely different beast, a grueling marathon of its own. Sacrificing freshness, sacrificing the delicate balance of a healthy rotation for a regular season bragging right? Many would argue that’s a dangerous gamble. And frankly, for a team still building, still learning how to win when it truly matters, preserving energy and mitigating injury risk becomes paramount. They're not just trying to win games; they're trying to forge a championship contender.

So, will they chase it? Probably not, actively. It's more likely, and far more prudent, that they’ll continue playing their brand of basketball, focusing on development, on maintaining health, and on securing the best possible playoff seeding. If they happen to stumble into the 70-win club by playing their natural game, well, that’s a fantastic bonus, an unexpected cherry on top of an already phenomenal season. But you can bet your bottom dollar their eyes, and their collective ambition, are firmly fixed on a much, much shinier piece of hardware.