Is the NBA Dynasty dead? We haven’t had a repeat champ in The League since the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors pulled off the feat in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 campaigns — that’s eight seasons ago.
It seems Dynasties have always been a part of NBA lore. In previous decades, teams regularly won consecutive crowns, qualifying them for such exalted status.
In the 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers, with pro hoops first superstar George Mikan, won back-to-back titles. Then came Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics’ phenomenal run in the 1960s and ’70s,
After that, it was the Magic Johnson-Kareem Abdul Jabbar Showtime Lakers ruling the ’80s.
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the nineties.
And it was Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant fuelling another Laker run early this century. Golden State then won consecutive titles last decade.
But if there was ever a team in this era of free agency and stars demanding trades that looks like they can win consecutive crowns — and maybe establish a new dynasty — it is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The reigning NBA champs seem to have all the necessities for doing so.
Most importantly, their big three of stars are all very young. Regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 27, All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, 24, and beanpole, scorer-deluxe centre Chet Holmgren is only 23.
Also, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams have inked long term deals and Holmgren is about to do the same.
Just as importantly, all three recognise what a special thing they have brewing in OKC and are not looking to parlay their success in Oklahoma City for big bucks in a seemingly better environment — like former Thunder stars Kevin Durant, Michael Westbrook and Paul George did.
Greed and a desire for the bright lights elsewhere caused each guy to abandon a burgeoning mid-country powerhouse in Oklahoma City, leaving the club to rebuild each time.
Strong bonds
But that’s not the case with this current OKC outfit. All they seem to care about is getting better — together.
“That’s the fun of this,” stated Gilgeous-Alexander. “So many of us can still get better. There’s not many of us on the team that are in our prime or even close to it.”
Sprinkle in a group of unheralded but hard working — and effective — support players like hustling guard Alex Caruso, Isaiah Harternstein, a sturdy, bulwark of a centre, and solid and improving forward Aaron Wiggins and you have just the right mix of talent. And a ton of chemistry.
In addition, the Thunder have a deep bench of young players and a stockpile of future draft picks.
Yep, the Oklahoma City Thunder look like a good bet to blast that “NBA Dynasties are dead” talk to Smithereens.