Oklahoma City Thunder's Carmelo Anthony was recently asked in an interview with Royce Young of ESPN what he thought about his team playing well recently with the top teams in the NBA. The former New York Knick said that playing with the top teams was never a problem. The recurring problem with the Thunder was that the team tend to lose to lesser teams.

“I don't think that has ever been our issue as a team,” Anthony said. “Our issue is how to beat teams we are supposed to beat. Sometimes, it's night and day. You go out and beating Cleveland, Houston, Golden State. Then come back and lose to dot, dot, dot.”

What Anthony said did make sense. The Thunder did have notable wins on teams that were generally considered as the best of the best.

Last Saturday, the Thunder won against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 148-124. On Christmas Day last year, the Thunder won against the Houston Rockets with a final score of 112-107. And on Nov. 22 last year, the Thunder won against the Golden State Warriors with a final score of 108-91.

But the Thunder also lost to teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic — teams that were generally considered the worst of the worst.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Thunder Pelicans prediction

Dominik Zawartko ·

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren with Jalen Williams saying "We got your back." Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the background.

Brett Siegel ·

Pelicans' Willie Green, Jonas Valanciunas making comments after game 2 loss to Thunder

Chris Dodson ·

If the Thunder really want to be contenders, they have to be more consistent. They have to remember that this is the NBA, and any team can beat another if the other is slacking around.

Thunder currently has a record of 26-20, which is enough to put them in the fifth seed in the West. But what if they have beaten the teams they should have beaten? Who knows, maybe they are in the race for the first seed with the Warriors and Rockets.