Hoops Habit
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NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Best duo from Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook

*In 30 for 30 voice*: What if I told you that a relocated franchise once had three future MVP’s and not only failed to win a championship, but also lost all of them in a decade?

In our lifetimes, we may never see another team strike as much draft gold as the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC general manager Sam Presti unearthed plenty of other gems over the years, but the crown jewel of his tenure was Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Durant came first thanks to the second overall pick in 2007 and Westbrook followed in 2008 as the fourth overall pick (.198 combined WS/48). James Harden as the microwave offensive threat off the bench, the Thunder quickly went from a lottery team to contenders in a competitive Western Conference.

In a time before Steph Curry’s rise, it was Durant who garnered the media adoration as the NBA’s premier 3-point shooter. His daddy long legs arms made him nearly impossible for any normal-sized wing to cover him and if teams put a big man on him, he simply skated past them for an easy two points.

Westbrook wasn’t and still isn’t nearly as consistent of a shooter as his comrade, but his Road Runner speed, moon bounce hops, and insatiable competitive spirit more than compensated for that shortcoming. And it worked for a while. It even got them to the NBA Finals in 2012. So what happened?

Basically, it was a combination of the infamous Harden trade and some ill-timed injuries that inhibited the Thunder during this era, with their blown 3-1 series lead to the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals serving as the cherry on top of a chalky, bittersweet sundae.

Following that, Durant went to Golden State and now that Westbrook, the last vestige of this team’s former Seattle identity, is in Houston, all the Thunder have to show for this era is a bunch of wins and lingering questions of “What if?”.