The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2025-26 NBA season as reigning champions after an impressive campaign that saw them finish with the best regular season record. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the roster, this team faces a heightened “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder Challenge” as every opponent will be eager to dethrone them. Veteran player Udonis Haslem, who has secured three NBA titles with the Miami Heat, highlighted the difficulties the Thunder will encounter in defending their crown.
Udonis Haslem Reflects on the Pressure of Being the Team to Beat
Speaking on ESPN, Haslem praised the Thunder for their maturity and poise beyond their years, indicating the team’s readiness to face adversity. However, he noted that with success comes intensified scrutiny and competition. According to Haslem, every game for the Thunder will resemble a finals-level matchup as rival teams bring their best efforts against the champions.
“What they’re gonna get from other teams is gonna be different. Every single team in the NBA is gonna be gunning for you, every single night you walk in, that’s gonna be the other team’s championship game,”
Haslem stated.
Challenges of Defending a Title: Insights from Haslem’s Career
Drawing from his own experience as a defending champion, Haslem recounted the physical and mental toll of constant pressure. He recalled matches where Miami Heat faced deficits late in the game against lesser teams but managed to rally back, underscoring the sheer effort required throughout the season.
“There were so many games that we were down in the fourth quarter against teams that weren’t as good as us,”
Haslem said.
“They didn’t have the talent that we had, they didn’t have the experience that we had…”
He also illustrated one notable comeback against a struggling Cleveland Cavaliers squad, where the Heat erased a 27-point deficit to secure the win. Still, Haslem emphasized that consistently overcoming such challenges week after week drained the team mentally.
Heightened Competition in the Western Conference Raises the Stakes
This season, the Thunder’s path may prove even tougher given the deep talent pool in the modern NBA, especially in the competitive Western Conference. Multiple teams will vie for supremacy, all eager to knock off the Thunder and claim playoff success. Retaining key players like Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams—both recently signed to extended contracts—gives Oklahoma City a solid foundation, but the intensity of their “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder Challenge” will only increase.
Battle Tested Teams Have a Greater Advantage in the Playoffs
Despite the challenges, Haslem believes the demanding season will serve as preparation for the playoffs. Facing relentless pressure nightly may strengthen the Thunder’s resilience and focus, allowing them to remain composed when postseason stakes rise.
“It will help them in the long run, because they’ll be battle tested throughout the whole season going into the playoffs,”
he remarked.
The Thunder’s primary roster remains largely unchanged from their championship-winning team, positioning them among the favorites to repeat their success. Their ability to navigate the intense competition ahead will define whether they can secure back-to-back titles or become the team to beat for others across the league.