Despite Similarities to Past Teams, Thunder Remain Focused on Playoff Run

Comparisons and similarities mean nothing to this current Thunder squad, as the team has big goals ahead.

Apr 14, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City has had an unbelievable season, and there’s still a chance for more. The Thunder exceeded expectations once again and secured the No. 1 seed. Although the future has always been bright, the race to the top almost came out of nowhere.

Sam Presti always mentioned wanting the Thunder’s return to the postseason to be an arrival and not an appearance, and that’s exactly what happened.

It’s eerily similar to Oklahoma City’s first dynasty, which is referenced quite often. The young Thunder squad took the league by storm and had a massive breakout on the biggest stage. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden led the Thunder to the NBA Finals against all odds and appeared to be on the brink of something special. 

Even though there are similarities to the Thunder’s first rebuild, there’s plenty of differences too. This team is deep from top to bottom, and the shooting is top tier. With Durant and Westbrook, it always felt like outside shooting was a massive need. But on Mark Daigneault’s squad, outside shooting is the best in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have replaced the previous big three, and now it’s time to see how far the trio can go.

As the playoffs approach, Oklahoma City’s eyes are on the future, and looking forward to what this current team can accomplish. Nobody is thinking about the old school Thunder anymore.

“I don’t think about them at all,” Gilgeous-Alexander said about past Thunder teams that experienced success. “They’ve done amazing things for this game, this city. Pioneers clearly.  But trying to compare or draw comparisons doesn’t  help us. … none of them are on this basketball team. None of them can help us no matter how great they were in the past.”

The Thunder seem motivated to kick off a new era of playoff basketball the right way. While the past is important to remember, the present is all that this team should be thinking about.

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