A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
The NBA playoffs tip off on Saturday with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to win back-to-back championships. We've called up sports journalist Martenzie Johnson to see if anyone can stop the Thunder. So, Martenzie, I mean, they followed up their title from last season by having the best record in the NBA this season. I mean, what makes them so good?
MARTENZIE JOHNSON: Well, they have a singular force in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He won the Finals' MVP last year. He won the regular MVP last season. And obviously, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the title last year as well. But it's not just SGA.
When he's not having it, there's also Jalen Williams, who can come in and score for them. Chet Holmgren, who's over 7 feet tall. And while he can block anyone's shot, he can also dribble. He can also get to the paint. And so they started off the season 24-1, A. And they look exceptionally better than they did last year. Need I remind you, they won the championship last year.
MARTÍNEZ: So you think there's any team out there that can stop them? Because the one I'm thinking of has the shadow of a 7-foot-4 Frenchman on their team.
JOHNSON: Yeah. It's the Spurs.
MARTÍNEZ: (Laughter) Yeah.
JOHNSON: They played five games this season, the Thunder and the Spurs did, and the Spurs won four of those games. Victor Wembanyama, like you said - I said that SGA was a singular force. He's even more of a singular force, A.
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah.
JOHNSON: Like you said, he's 7-foot-4. He can shoot. He can get to the basket. He blocks everything that comes into the paint. If anything, he discourages people from coming into the paint. Victor Wembanyama - if you want to look for a player to watch this postseason, he's the guy to watch.
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah. He's 7'4, but he plays like he's 6'4. But then he plays like he's 7'4 when he needs it. It's unbelievable what he does.
JOHNSON: (Laughter).
MARTÍNEZ: Now, like you said, no team has won back-to-back titles in the NBA since 2018. You know, I don't know. I grew up with NBA teams being dynasties, like the Lakers and the Celtics and even the Pistons back in the '80s and '90s. What has made these last few seasons so competitive?
JOHNSON: The parity has upped because of salary cap stuff that the NBA has done. And basically, you remember the super teams - the Heatles, all those types of...
MARTÍNEZ: Yeah.
JOHNSON: Or the Golden State Warriors getting Kevin Durant. That's not possible anymore because teams can't afford to do that anymore, so the talent is spread out. For the last seven championships we've had seven different winners. Until this year 'cause I think Oklahoma City is going to do it again.
MARTÍNEZ: Oh, wow.
JOHNSON: And it's just because all that talent is spread out more.
MARTÍNEZ: You mentioned Kevin Durant. He's 37. Steph Curry is 38. LeBron James is 41. I mean, is this the last run of this group of superstars?
JOHNSON: You know, I would've said that last year. And I would've said that the year before and the year before. I'm not going to say it, A, because every single year - LeBron, KD, Steph - they all defy Father Time and they come back again. So I'm going to say no.
MARTÍNEZ: All right. So I heard you pick Oklahoma City. But who comes out of the Eastern Conference to challenge them for the title?
JOHNSON: I know the sexy answer is to say the Detroit Pistons. They're the No. 1 seed. They won 60 games. They have Cade Cunningham. But they're young. Their average age is 26 years of age, A. I'm going with the Boston Celtics.
Now, I know they started the season 0-3. They're missing Kristaps Porzingis, who they got rid of. They're missing Jrue Holiday, who they got rid of. They only had 16 games with Jayson Tatum because of the torn Achilles that he suffered in the playoffs last year.
But they only lost five less games. They have the championship experience. They won it two years ago with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. And out of all the teams left, including the Knicks, I just think Boston is more experienced. And they're just a better team this year.
MARTÍNEZ: Got to say, Martenzie, I'm very disappointed in you.
JOHNSON: (Laughter).
MARTÍNEZ: I haven't heard the word Lakers mentioned at all in this 3 1/2 minutes.
JOHNSON: (Laughter).
MARTÍNEZ: That's sports journalist Martenzie Johnson. I don't want to hear you mention them because I know what you're going to say.
JOHNSON: (Laughter).
MARTÍNEZ: Thanks a lot, Martenzie.
JOHNSON: (Laughter) Thanks, A.
(SOUNDBITE OF CHARLES BRADLEY AND THE MENAHAN STREET BAND SONG, "HOW LONG") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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