LeBron, Nash Identify Potential Weakness for Top-Seeded Thunder

The defending champion Thunder are heavy favorites, but the Lakers legends see a 'deep nitpick' that could derail their repeat bid.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players' forms abstracted into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a bold color palette, conceptually representing the strategic analysis of the Thunder's title chances.An analytical breakdown of the Thunder's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the high-stakes playoff push.Oklahoma City Today

Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder posting the league's best record and being heavy favorites to repeat as champions, Lakers legends LeBron James and Steve Nash believe the team has a potential weakness that opponents could exploit in the playoffs. While the Thunder excel at defense and forcing turnovers, Nash pointed to their occasional inconsistency with three-point shooting and secondary playmaking as areas of concern that could be exploited.

Why it matters

The Thunder are the clear favorites to win the championship, but identifying any potential weaknesses could give their playoff opponents a blueprint to pull off an upset. As the postseason approaches, the analysis from two all-time greats like James and Nash provides valuable insight into how teams may try to take down the dominant Thunder.

The details

In a discussion on their podcast 'Mind the Game', James and Nash dissected the Thunder's strengths and weaknesses. While acknowledging the team's elite defense and transition game, Nash noted that their three-point shooting and secondary playmaking 'come and go a little bit'. He explained that the importance of players like Josh Giddey and Hartenstein to facilitate the offense outside of stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren could be an area opponents target. James agreed it was difficult to find flaws in the Thunder, but said their occasional dry spells from three-point range and reliance on forcing turnovers could potentially be exploited in the playoffs.

  • The Thunder finished the regular season with the league's best record at 64-18.
  • The Thunder will open the playoffs on Sunday, April 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
  • The Lakers, who earned the fourth seed, will host the fifth-seed Rockets in Game 1 on Saturday, April 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The players

LeBron James

A Lakers legend and future Hall of Famer who is nearing the end of his storied NBA career.

Steve Nash

A former NBA MVP and Lakers assistant coach who joined James on their podcast 'Mind the Game' to discuss the upcoming playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's star player who won MVP honors last season and led the team to the league's best record this year.

Chet Holmgren

The Thunder's young star big man who has emerged as a key part of their championship-contending roster.

Josh Giddey

A versatile playmaker for the Thunder who provides important secondary ballhandling and facilitating alongside Gilgeous-Alexander.

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What they’re saying

“Here's my nitpick on OKC. And this is a deep nitpick. I would say three-point shooting comes and goes a little bit.”

— Steve Nash, Lakers Assistant Coach

“I would say secondary play making at times. So hence J Dub's importance to them because the other real playmakers – Hartenstein makes plays for them in a short role. Good hub for them. Obviously Chad and some of the other guys can make plays too but to me like sometimes, do they lose play making and did they dry up from three a little bit? That's a deep nitpick. They're pretty good.”

— Steve Nash, Lakers Assistant Coach

“I'm trying to figure out how can I nitpick OKC but I can't because they ****ing defend defend defend. They make plays.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Thunder will open the playoffs on Sunday, April 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET, awaiting the winner of the second play-in game between the Trail Blazers and Suns. The Lakers, who earned the fourth seed, will host the fifth-seed Rockets in Game 1 on Saturday, April 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

While the Thunder are the clear favorites to repeat as champions, LeBron James and Steve Nash have identified a potential 'deep nitpick' weakness in the team's occasional inconsistency with three-point shooting and secondary playmaking. This analysis provides valuable insight for potential playoff opponents looking to exploit any cracks in the Thunder's armor and pull off an upset.