Marcus Smart has seen enough to make a bold comparison. The veteran Lakers guard recently likened the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors dynasty—and he's got the stats to back it up.

After the Thunder dismantled the Lakers 131-108 in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Smart highlighted a key similarity between OKC and those Warriors teams that dominated the late 2010s. "Both teams did a good job of getting in the paint, controlling the paint, scoring in the paint, and then the 3s start falling after that," Smart explained.

It's a telling observation from a player who faced the Stephen Curry-led Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals. Smart knows what it takes to compete against a well-oiled machine. "Give up 60 paint points, that's it right there. Threes aren't going to kill you, but if you're giving up paint points like that and 3s, then that's when it starts to get out of hand."

The Thunder's numbers speak for themselves. After winning the NBA championship last season with a 68-14 record, they followed it up with a 64-18 mark this year despite key injuries. Now sitting at 7-0 in the playoffs, they're on the verge of another sweep. While this OKC squad doesn't boast the same star power as the Durant-era Warriors, they bring something equally dangerous: elite defense, relentless pressure, and a selfless offense that keeps defenses guessing.

"They got a really good staff, really good players, and a really good system that everybody buys into," Smart added. "It makes it tough on you."

For basketball fans, this Thunder team feels like déjà vu—but with a modern, defensive twist. And as Smart knows all too well, that's a recipe for championship success.