With the NBA season kicking off, the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder becomes a thought-provoking tale. After narrowly missing out on a championship, witnessing star players leave, and facing years of first-round exits, this team has undergone a rebuilding phase and rise, finally welcoming the shine of new stars and the long-awaited glory of a championship.
The journey of the Oklahoma City Thunder is filled with drama. In 2012, they faced off against the Miami Heat’s Big Three and secured a victory in the first game, but ultimately suffered a series of losses, finishing at 1-4 and unable to lift the championship trophy. During the 2016 Western Conference Finals, the Thunder had a lead in the third quarter but fell short due to Klay Thompson’s incredible performance, compounded by the significant blow of Kevin Durant’s departure.
Despite Russell Westbrook staying with the team from 2016 to 2019, he couldn’t alter the fate of consecutive first-round exits. In 2017, the Thunder welcomed the arrival of Paul George, but by 2019, he opted to trade to the Clippers, forcing the Thunder to team up with Chris Paul. These two trades provided the Thunder with a wealth of draft picks, laying down a solid foundation for future rebuilding.
Under the leadership of CP3, the Thunder’s performance this season has been commendable, even though they faced another upset against the Rockets in the first round. The true rebuilding phase began in 2020, when the team finished with just 22 wins. However, with the development of their young roster, the Thunder achieved 40 wins in 2022, showcasing significant growth potential. Over the years, the Oklahoma City Thunder has faced numerous challenges, but they finally hit a breakthrough in 2023, achieving an impressive 57 wins and sweeping the Pelicans in the first round. Although they didn’t make it past the Mavericks in the second round, the fans were still left in awe.
This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder has achieved an astounding record reminiscent of their days as the Seattle SuperSonics, clinching 68 wins and tying for the fourth-highest record in NBA history. They faced off against the Indiana Pacers once again in the championship series. Although the Thunder experienced a setback in the first game, being reverse swept by the Pacers, they displayed an indomitable spirit, bouncing back in the second game to regain control of the series’ momentum. Throughout the five-game series, Pacers’ player Haliburton struggled with fatigue, ultimately paving the way for the Thunder to secure the championship at home.
SGA’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular, making him one of the few players in history to simultaneously earn the scoring title, MVP, and FMVP in the same season, truly showcasing his extraordinary status on the court. The team’s future is brimming with hope; in addition to successfully re-signing their three core players, the Thunder are also looking to leverage their draft picks to present a stronger competitive edge in the upcoming seasons, even aiming to challenge for back-to-back championships.
