Both the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder found success this season thanks to trades made several years ago.

Seventeen years ago, then-Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson said teams must win 40 regular-season games before losing 20 games to be seen as elite. The

TNT made a major announcement regarding the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Despite the Knicks still facing the Pacers, Stephen A. Smith predicts harshly a potential NBA Finals matchup with the Thunder. On the other side of the bracket, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves to advance to the NBA Finals,

All season long, the Oklahoma City Thunder displayed dominance unlike any other team and that all culminated with their first trip to the NBA Finals in 13 years.

The Thunder's lone loss against an Eastern Conference team came to the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 129-122 on the road in January. Just over a week later, OKC bounced back, trouncing the Cavs by 20 points in a dominant showing, ending the season with a +13 point differential against the best team in the Eastern Conference.

TNT analyst Charles Barkley makes a strong claim about the Knicks and Pacers' title chances after the Thunder build a 3-1 lead vs. Wolves

The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. Celebrate with OKC Western Conference Champs and NBA Finals gear now!