As the NBA playoffs barrel toward the Finals, a heated debate has taken center stage on sports talk shows and social media feeds alike: Are there truly any great teams left in this year’s postseason, or are we simply witnessing a collection of good teams vying for a title in a season defined by parity and unpredictability?

The question, sparked by Kendrick Perkins’ bold assertion that “none of these teams left are great teams,” has ignited a fierce back-and-forth among analysts and fans. Perkins, never shy with a hot take, argued that in years past, great teams would have already put these games away. “Anything can happen,” he said, suggesting that the current crop lacks the dominance and pedigree that has defined previous champions.

But what does it mean to be a “great” team in the NBA? Is greatness measured by regular-season dominance, playoff resilience, star power, or the ability to string together championships over multiple years? The answer, it seems, depends on who you ask.

Defining Greatness

Brooke, another panelist, pressed Perkins for his definition of greatness. “Must you make everything complicated?” Perkins quipped, but the question is anything but simple. Is a great team one that dominates the regular season, like the Oklahoma City Thunder did in several defensive categories this year? Or is greatness reserved for teams that have proven themselves on the biggest stage, like the dynastic Warriors, the Jordan-era Bulls, or the Shaq-and-Kobe Lakers?

Marcus Spears weighed in, drawing a distinction between teams that are “budding to become great” and those that have already earned that title. “OKC is a good team,” he said. “They have a chance to be great. But we’re not going to crown them as a great team right now.” Spears pointed to the Celtics’ dominant run last year—blowing through the playoffs with a string of 4-1 series victories—as the kind of performance that signals true greatness.

The Case for OKC

Perkins, however, wasn’t ready to back down. He argued that the Thunder, despite their youth, are “one of the best defensive teams I’ve ever seen.” He compared them favorably to past champions like the 2019 Toronto Raptors, who lacked household names but overcame adversity and tough opponents en route to a title.

Still, his colleagues pushed back. “How are you great if you haven’t won anything yet?” one asked, pointing out that OKC, for all its promise, has yet to even reach the Finals, let alone win a championship. “They had a great season,” he conceded, “but when we’re talking about a great team, you’re talking about dynasties.”

The Role of Luck and Context

No discussion of NBA greatness is complete without acknowledging the role of luck—especially injuries. The panelists noted that both the Celtics and Raptors benefited from key injuries to opponents during their title runs. “There’s always some luck,” one said, “but you still have to take care of business.”

This year’s playoffs have been defined by unpredictability. The Knicks and Pacers have both exceeded expectations, while established stars and teams have fallen short. In this environment, the line between good and great has never been blurrier.

Established Greatness vs. One-Year Wonders

Stephen A. Smith, always ready with a nuanced take, argued that the real issue is the lack of “established great teams” in this year’s playoffs. “Oklahoma City is just getting onto the scene,” he said, noting that previous great teams like the Celtics built their reputations over multiple deep playoff runs. “If you win the championship, we can say you were a great team this year. But to be an established great team, you have to do it again.”

That raises the question: If the Thunder win the title this year, will they be remembered as a great team, or merely a great young team that seized the moment in a wide-open season? For Perkins, the answer is clear: “If they win it all, damn it, that’s what they’re going to do—they’re all-time.”

Others remain skeptical. “How are we crowning OKC as a great team when they haven’t won anything yet?” Spears asked. “They haven’t even been to the top, lost, and come back.”

The Verdict: Greatness Is Earned, Not Given

As the playoffs continue, the debate over greatness will rage on. Perhaps the only thing everyone can agree on is that greatness is not bestowed lightly—it is earned through sustained excellence, resilience in the face of adversity, and, yes, a little bit of luck.

For now, the Thunder and the rest of this year’s contenders have a chance to write their own stories. Whether any of them will be remembered as truly great remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: The journey to greatness is as compelling as the destination.