-
Zach Kram
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, a new contender is emerging from the West. This franchise, which has seen no championship glory since the 1970s, is now spearheaded by a dynamic 26-year-old guard who just clinched his inaugural MVP title. With an impressive tally of nearly 70 wins, a double-digit point differential, and a swift victory in the Western Conference finals, this team exemplifies excellence.
We are indeed discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder of 2024-25, who secured their Finals berth with an emphatic 124-94 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Much like the Golden State Warriors of the 2014-15 season, who also captured their first of five consecutive Finals appearances a decade ago, the Thunder are proving to be a historically elite team, echoing the Warriors’ traits with uncanny similarities.
Back in the midway point of the 2010s, few could have predicted the Warriors, who hadn’t reached the conference finals during the Stephen Curry era, would emerge as the decade’s hallmark team. Yet, their journey to superstardom has a parallel in the Thunder, who, after navigating a similar relative obscurity, now have their sights set on creating their own dynasty.
The similarities between these two teams don’t stop there. In 2015, the Warriors were the youngest title-winning team since 1980, boasting an average age of 26.4 years. Now, the Thunder are even younger, averaging 24.7 years. This youthful vigor is highlighted in their leading scorers. Just as Curry shined at 26, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, now at the same age, is making waves. Curry’s impressive 63.8% true shooting percentage mirrored Gilgeous-Alexander’s near-identical 63.7% this season, both positioning themselves for possible championship victories.
Familiar patterns are also evident in the supporting cast. Klay Thompson was a two-way star at 24 during the Warriors’ inaugural title run, while Jalen Williams is boasting similar accolades at 23. Draymond Green, a 24-year-old utility player, was pivotal then, just as Chet Holmgren, a 22-year-old defensive powerhouse, is now.
Further tracing their parallels, Andre Iguodala brought defensive acumen to the 2015 Warriors, much like Alex Caruso does for this year’s Thunder, both shaping their respective teams’ successes off the bench. Andrew Bogut’s defensive strength in the paint can be likened to Isaiah Hartenstein’s crucial role today.
Beneath these similarities lies a crucial consideration for both teams: their paths through the playoffs. Each swept the No. 8 seed in the first round and faced adversity against seasoned opponents in the second round, overcoming 2-1 series deficits. The Warriors triumphed over Memphis while the Thunder clinched against the Denver Nuggets, showcasing their resilience.
Both squads leveraged defensive innovations to secure victories and dominated their respective conference finals. The Thunder’s matchup against the Timberwolves echoes the Warriors’ previous struggles against formidable defensive contenders.
While the Warriors’ legacy is cherished, the Thunder are positioned to carve out their legacy in the NBA, benefitting from a plethora of draft picks that the Warriors didn’t possess during their rise. As the Thunder cultivate their roster, their financial framework may allow them to sustain or expand their competitive edge, unlike the Warriors who faced burdensome luxury tax issues.
Despite their quest for a first title seeming distant, the Thunder’s potential to dominate the 2020s is palpable, mirroring the Warriors’ trajectory a decade prior. A thriving competitive NBA environment, marked by diversity in champions, further primes Oklahoma City to write its own historical narrative.
With the groundwork laid, the Thunder now strive to ascend the ranks of NBA greatness, just as the Warriors did. Will they become synonymous with the league as their predecessors did in the past decade? The answer may emerge in the seasons to come, but the stage is undeniably set.