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Oklahoma City Thunder Quietly Back as One of NBA’s Elite

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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You may not be hearing much about it, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are back as one of the best teams in the NBA.

Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder made an improbable run to the NBA Finals. Led by 23-year-olds Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and 22-year-olds James Harden and Serge Ibaka, the Thunder’s early success sparked many conversations about a potential dynasty.

In the three seasons that have followed, Oklahoma City has regressed.

In 2013, Oklahoma City traded Harden and lost Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury in the playoffs. In 2014, Ibaka missed the first two games of the Western Conference Finals.

To complete the epidemic of misfortune, Durant missed 55 games during the 2015 NBA regular season.

In 2015-16, the Thunder are hoping to overcome a three-year period of calamity. The odds are stacked against them in a Western Conference that features three genuine championship contenders: the 39-4 Golden State Warriors, 37-6 San Antonio Spurs, and 27-15 Los Angeles Clippers, which have won 11 of 13.

You may not be hearing much about it, but Oklahoma City has been just as dominant.

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