[Van Hagar]

OKC was very close to losing the series against both Denver and Indiana this year. When you factor in the upgrades that Denver and Houston have already made this offseason, plus the inevitable post-championship season ‘hangover’, my money would go on someone else winning the west next season. But if OKC can make the finals again, they’d seem to be a good bet to repeat, because the east looks to be a mess right now, with Tatum and Haliburton both probably out for the year there doesn’t seem to be a real threat on that side.