Relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. To the KD-Westbrook-Harden trio. To losing in the 2012 Finals to Miami’s “Big Three”. From the 2016 Western Conference collapse to the 73-win Warriors. To Kevin Durant’s departure. To Damian Lillard’s shot—which led to one of the greatest rebuilds in NBA history—to this iteration of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this moment.
The Thunder captured their first-ever championship after a momentous Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night in Oklahoma City.
Here’s what a championship means.
For Sam Presti
Fulfillment. After being named the GM at 29 in 2008, his eye for talent was recognized immediately, drafting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka in consecutive years. Unfortunately, the team could not win a title during the first go-around. Then, in the summer of 2019, Presti tore down the roster by trading Russell Westbrook and Paul George and masterfully conducted one of the greatest rebuilds in the history of the NBA. Presti constructed two championship-caliber teams in a 10-year period and has etched himself as one of the greatest GMs in the league’s history. Securing the championship was the final piece to an incredible resume.
For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Legacy builder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player to win the MVP, Finals MVP, Conference Finals MVP, scoring title, and NBA title in the same season. We’ve witnessed one of the greatest individual seasons ever. Leading and winning this franchise to its first championship has cemented Gilgeous-Alexander as the greatest Thunder ever. One day, he will have a statue outside the Thunder’s arena, and his jersey will hang from the rafters.
For Mark Daigneault
Coaching Royalty. Another fascinating story is Daigneault’s path as an NBA champion. From a student manager at UConn, to a assistant coach to Billy Donovan at Florida, to the Thunder’s G League coach, to once again an assistant coach to Billy Donovan on the Thunder, to the Thunder’s head coach at the start of the rebuild (whom many thought would only be a transition coach), to now an NBA champion head coach. Daigneault has established a culture and has guided a rebuild to a championship in record heights. He’s cemented himself as the best coach in Thunder history and is now in coaching royalty as the latest championship head coach.
For Jalen Williams
New hierarchy. After winning the title, there’s no longer any question whether Jalen Williams can be a true second option on a championship team. That conversion is put to bed now. Since Game 7 of the Denver series, Williams has made the leap, performing at an excellent level in the Conference Finals against Minnesota, and his 40-point signature playoff performance in Game 5 of the Finals against Indiana. Now, conversions such as: where does he rank in the NBA hierarchy? Will now be discussed.
For Alex Caruso
Elite role player status. The championship pedigree displayed by Alex Caruso was instrumental in winning ring number two, winning in the bubble in 2020 with LeBron James and the Lakers, and now with this Thunder group, while being a vital part of both runs. Puts him in the conversation with highly impactful role players—whose impact is greater than the statistics indicate. When Caruso is mentioned, it’s associated with a championship-winning player.
For Lu Dort
Fortitude. For making his opponents’ nights a living hell. For the timely shots (here’s an underlying story of the Finals, Lu Dort shot 17 for 38 from three). Dort’s path to reach this moment will be discussed for ages, from an undrafted player with no jumper to an all-first-team defender who’s a much-improved shooter. SGA and Dort have been here since the start of the rebuild, through the darkest days, and now the most rewarding accomplishment for a team. Lu Dort has now cemented himself as a Thunder legend.
For Chet Holmgren
Next step. After being ridiculed with two major injuries (Lisfranc and a fractured hip) in his first three seasons. Chet Holmgren is only scratching the surface as a player. His offensive development is behind and needs a lot of work due to the time missed—tightening his handle, refining his shot, understanding his pace, and continuing to fill out his body. Despite his offensive inconsistencies, Holmgren’s been a defensive monster, anchoring a historical defense. The scary part for the rest of the league is that Chet Holmgren is multiple years away from hitting his peak.
For Clay Bennett
Rewarding good ownership. Clay Bennett is the perfect case study of hiring intelligent individuals and letting them do their jobs. He let Sam Presti handle the decision-making in the construction of the team. Sam Presti let Mark Daigneault coach the team by instilling his identity on this team. And here’s how the best culture in the NBA formed. Thanks to his hands-off approach. Sports owners can take a page out of Bennett’s philosophy.
For Oklahoma City
Recognizition and accomplishment.World recognition as the best basketball team on the planet is an incredible sight for all small-market teams, as Oklahoma City is the 5th smallest market in the NBA. To a city with no other professional sports team and fought to keep this team in Oklahoma City, this is the biggest sports accomplishment in Oklahoma history. What a reward for the best fans in the NBA and the players, as winning a championship is so difficult.
Main Image: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
