The Oklahoma City Thunder are now NBA champions, and they feel they are the best basketball team in the world.
But that is up for debate, and a EuroLeague coach recently called the team out, saying if they want to be referred to as “world champions,” then they have to beat the best squad in the EuroLeague.
Hopping on social media, Thunder star Alex Caruso gladly accepted that challenge.
“lol let’s play the games then,” Caruso posted on his Instagram story.
Alex Caruso calls out the EuroLeague coach who said the Thunder aren’t technically the world champion pic.twitter.com/B640VpczIn
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 4, 2025
The basketball world has been expanding over the last several decades, and now there are various leagues with millions of fans and tons of great players.
Some of those players make their way to the NBA, while others remain only overseas.
There is now so much basketball talent all over the world, but the winners of the Larry O’Brien trophy are still referred to as world champions.
Some fans don’t feel that’s entirely fair, but it’s the way it has always been done.
Caruso is ready to step up and compete against any team from any location at any time.
He is incredibly confident in his team, and rightfully so.
The Thunder just had a stunning run through the league, claiming their first championship because of the hard work and unquestionable skill of their deep roster.
They feel on top of the basketball world, because they are.
The EuroBasket tournament is currently showing sports fans just how lucky they are because basketball has never had so many terrific young players competing.
But all of this skill raises the question about what really makes a team world champions.
It’s a question that will be asked again and again, and Caruso wants to provide an answer.
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