The Whole Franchise is Consistent

The Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) are winning 36-8, and while only halfway into the season, fans have unanimously declared them not only the winners of this year’s NBA Championship but of the next five. The sentiment around the league is that this will be a dynasty like no other—and there is good reason to believe this.

The 2022-23 season was one to forget for OKC, with a mediocre 40-42 record that showed little promise beyond young point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) establishing himself as a player to watch. Yet, from there, they took a giant leap in the 2023-24 season, clinching a win in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record, which would have easily won the Most Improved Team award if there were one. This was fueled by the rise of two core players: center Chet Holmgren and shooting guard Jalen Williams. Holmgren, who sat out his first season due to injuries, exploded onto the scene and finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year, averaging almost 17 points and being a strong defender exhibiting many Wembanyama-esque qualities. Williams made a huge step, taking his game from an above-average player who scored 14 points per game to a rising star, 20-a-night player who complements SGA perfectly. The two became a fearsome duo, establishing a Robin and Batman-like chemistry. 

Afterwards, OKC didn't look back, posting a league-best 68-14 regular season record and winning the championship. SGA won the MVP award over the historic Nikola Jokić. Yet the riveting part of the season, which fans around the league are currently noting, is that we have yet to see the young team as dominant as they can be. Even this year, we have yet to see all five of their starters play at once. Although it doesn’t seem to matter—anyone who puts on an OKC Thunder jersey automatically becomes a star. Whether it be guard Ajay Mitchell, guard Cason Wallace (who leads the league in steals), or guard Aaron Wiggins, the team is shooting a combined almost 50% from the field,  40% from three, and 85% from the free-throw line—which is considered elite for even the best of the best. (Jaylen Brown, a current top 5 MVP favorite, is shooting 50 36 77.) 

There is a very strong argument that this could be the peak for any basketball team: 36-8 is the best offense and defense in recent history, not to mention the league, and ensures a promising future. They have a net rating of 16.7, with the next-highest at 9.7. It’s the highest of all time, even ahead of teams such as the late ‘90s’ Chicago Bulls. OKC clearly feels good: they are one of the most likable teams in the league, thanks to their charisma and contagious energy, which is easy to understand given their success. Most notable for his energy is SGA’s sidekick, Jalen Williams, who has gone viral multiple times for his excitement and animation during press conferences. 

One memorable moment came after a 107-100 win against the Miami Heat late during the 2024 season. SGA was asked how he was so consistent on the court, to which he responded: “My whole life is consistent. Everything I do. From what I eat, to when I sleep, to my recovery.” Jalen and Jaylin Williams, SGA’s close teammates, both howled with laughter until he told them to “chill, chill.” This childlike energy, which contrasts so vividly with their seriousness on the court, defines their success—the ability to improve while still enjoying themselves constantly.

Yet behind all this, there is one mastermind. The MVP of the OKC Thunder—not a coach or player—is Sam Presti, the general manager. One can say that he got lucky—that these moves turned out to be chance rather than accurate foresight. Yet it cannot be understated how well he has done not only to turn a struggling team into a dominant one but also to secure their future. The OKC Thunder have over 10 first-round picks in the next five years, and, most importantly, other teams’ picks that could turn out to be top-five picks.

There are generally three types of teams: the “win-now” teams, epitomized by the New York Knicks, that aren’t necessarily always old, yet generally understand that they can make a deep playoff run; the “tanking” teams with abysmal records and little to no veteran play despite a treasure trove of draft picks; and everyone in between. One example of a team in the tanking phase is the Brooklyn Nets, which happens to be the only other team with over 12 first-rounder picks besides OKC (in the next five years). On one end of the franchise success scale, you have the Los Angeles Clippers: can’t win now, no draft picks, and economic problems; while on the other end, you have teams like the Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons: both capable of winning now and having a solid future. Then, in a completely other stratosphere, is the OKC Thunder, whose success story is entirely unique and uncategorizable.

In one of the greatest beginnings of all time, sports fans can merely hold their breath and watch as the storm begins to take form. Although electric thus far, only time will tell whether it is more than thunder and lightning—maybe the storm will bring rain.