In the lead-up to an NBA Finals featuring two small market teams, SB Nation Reacts data reveals a fascinating contradiction among basketball fans. On one hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder are being viewed as the team of destiny. On the other, the Indiana Pacers seem to have won over fans’ hearts.
Let’s start with the buzz. According to our polling, 53 percent of NBA fans think the Thunder have “more aura” than the Pacers. With rising stars like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC’s youth movement has captured the imagination of the league. Their on-court chemistry and charismatic core make them feel like the future—and apparently, the present.