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NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

By Daniel Lubofsky

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2010-16

The Oklahoma City Thunder came into existence following a 20-win campaign during their final run in Seattle. They’d follow it up with just 23 victories in their first season in front of a new crowd.

They had a Rookie of the Year in Kevin Durant and two other top-five picks in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Until all these high draft picks began contributing where it mattered, not much was expected from this new/old franchise.

It didn’t take long, one season actually, for the trio to assemble the foundation of what became a fast-paced bandwagon. In its first playoff appearance since the move, OKC took the reigning defending champion Los Angeles Lakers six games in the opening round.

From there, the franchise continued a rapid ascent towards contention. A small taste of postseason basketball was followed up with a trip to the Western Conference Finals. After that came the breaking of a barrier into the NBA Finals. In those three years, you could see the Thunder grow as individuals and as a team, learning by failing only to bounce back stronger.

The Harden trade pumped the breaks if only a bit, but the Thunder still had two superstars leading the way in Durant and Westbrook. It’s why following the blockbuster deal, the only time OKC won fewer than 50 games was the 2014-15 campaign in which KD only suited up for 27 of them.

OKC would make two more conference finals but has yet to return to the championships stage. Part of those shortcomings was due to more injuries than people realize. One was a straight-up choke job.

A title certainly would’ve capped off a truly remarkable job well done by Sam Presti, drafting three future MVPs. The absence of one doesn’t make the journey the Thunder went on any less memorable in the hearts of those who watched it from the beginning.

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