Who Are the Best OKC NBA Players in Franchise History?
As a lifelong NBA enthusiast and sports analyst who's spent over a decade studying basketball history, I've always found the Oklahoma City Thunder's journey particularly fascinating. While researching for this piece, I came across something completely unrelated - a women's futsal team heading to Tashkent for FIFA World Cup qualifiers - and it struck me how both stories represent the essence of sports legacy. Just as that women's futsal team is fighting to cement their place in history this Tuesday night, the Thunder franchise has seen numerous players striving to create their own legacy in Oklahoma City.
When we talk about the best players in OKC's relatively brief history, we're essentially discussing three distinct eras - the Seattle SuperSonics foundation, the explosive early Oklahoma years, and the modern rebuild. Having watched nearly every Thunder game since their 2008 relocation, I can confidently say that Kevin Durant stands atop this mountain without much debate. The man was simply unbelievable during his eight seasons here, putting up numbers that still boggle my mind - he averaged 27.4 points per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 38% from three-point range. I remember watching him drop 54 points against Golden State in 2014 and thinking I was witnessing basketball perfection. His 2014 MVP season was arguably the greatest individual performance in franchise history, and frankly, I don't think we'll see another player of his caliber in a Thunder jersey for a very long time.
Russell Westbrook's case is particularly interesting because he embodies the franchise's identity in ways statistics can't fully capture. His 2017 MVP season, when he averaged that historic triple-double of 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, was the most electrifying basketball I've ever witnessed live. The energy in Chesapeake Energy Arena during his runs was absolutely palpable - you could feel the building vibrating with anticipation every time he grabbed a defensive rebound and turned upcourt. While some critics argue about his efficiency, I've always believed his relentless drive set the tone for the entire organization. He played 821 games for the franchise across both Seattle and Oklahoma City, scoring over 18,000 points - numbers that speak to both longevity and excellence.
The current generation, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is writing its own compelling chapter. Watching SGA develop into a superstar has been one of the genuine pleasures of recent seasons. His 31.4 points per game last season came with a level of efficiency we haven't seen since Durant, and at just 25 years old, he's already climbing the franchise leaderboards at an astonishing pace. What impresses me most isn't just the statistics - it's how he's embraced the Oklahoma City community and become the face of this exciting young team. The parallel between SGA's leadership and that women's futsal team heading to international competition isn't lost on me - both represent the next generation aiming for global recognition.
We can't discuss Thunder greatness without mentioning Serge Ibaka's transformative defensive presence. The man was an absolute force during his seven seasons, leading the league in blocks twice and fundamentally altering how opponents approached the paint. His 2012 playoff run, where he recorded 11 blocks in a single game against San Antonio, remains one of the most dominant defensive performances I've ever seen. Then there's James Harden, whose tenure was tragically short but incredibly impactful. His 2012 Sixth Man of the Year season was a masterpiece of efficient scoring, and I've always wondered what could have been if management had kept that core together longer.
The organizational foundation traces back to Seattle legends like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, whose contributions deserve recognition even in Oklahoma City discussions. Payton's defensive prowess and Kemp's athletic rim-rattling defined an era of Sonics basketball that still influences the franchise's identity today. Payton's 21,813 points in a Seattle uniform represent a legacy that transcends the relocation, while Kemp's ferocious dunks created highlight reels that still circulate among dedicated fans.
What strikes me about evaluating Thunder greatness is how it intertwines individual brilliance with team success. The 2012 team that reached the NBA Finals featured three future MVPs - a statistical anomaly that may never be replicated in league history. That team won 60 games during the lockout-shortened season, which translates to about 52 wins in a standard 82-game schedule based on my calculations. The current roster's rapid ascent from 24 wins to 57 victories in just three seasons demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change with the right player development.
As I reflect on these players and their impacts, I'm reminded that sports legacies are built through both monumental achievements and consistent excellence. The women's futsal team traveling to Tashkent understands this dynamic perfectly - every qualifying match represents another brick in their program's history, just as each Thunder season adds to the franchise's growing tapestry. From Durant's scoring titles to Westbrook's triple-doubles and SGA's emerging stardom, Oklahoma City has been blessed with extraordinary talents who've each left their unique imprint. While debates about the "greatest" will always involve personal preferences and generational perspectives, what's undeniable is that this relatively young franchise has already cultivated a rich history worth celebrating - and the best part is that the story continues to unfold with each passing season.