JJ Redick compares Thunder to 1996 Bulls: 'One of the greatest teams'

Right after the Oklahoma City Thunder won last season's NBA championship, there was talk that they were going to become a dynasty. They established themselves as one of the best defensive teams anyone had seen in recent memory, and they were young and deep enough to ensure several more chances at more rings in the coming years.

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for their Western Conference semifinal series against the Thunder, they know they will have to deal with a certified juggernaut while still short-handed. Luka Doncic is still not close to returning, and there doesn't seem to be any real timetable for a potential return.

Lakers coach JJ Redick called the Thunder "one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history" and even pointed out that they rank with the legendary Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the mid-1990s in one category.

"We saw a stat in our morning meeting, teams that have had back-to-back, 10 or more better net ratings in consecutive seasons, you're talking about the '95-'96 Bulls, the '96-'97 Bulls and the '15-'17 Warriors. You're literally talking about two of the greatest teams of all time. I said to a bunch of people yesterday, off-site, talking about this series, to me, the Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history. It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us."

If Los Angeles was a big underdog against the at the start of the first round of the playoffs, it is a gigantic underdog to start this series. Game 1 will take place on Tuesday in , where L.A. not only on April 2 but also lost Doncic and to hamstring and oblique strains, respectively.