Why OKC’s New Big Three Might Just Rule the NBA for Years
Man, remember when the Thunder had Durant, Westbrook, and Harden? That was something special—until it all fell apart. Egos, money issues, bad decisions… you know how it goes. But here’s the crazy part: they might’ve actually learned from their mistakes. With Shai, Chet, and Jalen Williams, this feels different. Like, dynasty-potential different. Let me break it down for you.
The Original Thunder Big 3: What Went Wrong?
That 2012 Run Was Magic
Man, that team was fun to watch. KD dropping 30 without breaking a sweat, Russ attacking like a tornado, and Harden—coming off the bench!—looking like a future MVP. They made the Finals that year, and everyone thought they’d own the league for the next decade.
Then It All Went Sideways
But here’s the thing—they messed up the Harden trade bad. Like, historically bad. And Russ and KD? Two alphas who never quite figured out how to share the spotlight. Plus, the front office kept signing these random guys who couldn’t shoot to save their lives. By 2016, KD was in Golden State, and OKC was left wondering what could’ve been.
Why This New Group Feels Different
These Guys Actually Fit Together
Shai’s the quiet killer—just gets buckets without all the drama. Chet? Dude’s 7 feet tall but shoots like a guard and blocks everything. And Jalen Williams—man, that kid does everything. No ego clashes here, just ball.
The Money Situation Actually Makes Sense
Remember how they panicked with Harden? Not this time. Sam Presti’s been playing 4D chess with the salary cap. They’ve got all their picks, cap flexibility—the whole deal. Extensions are coming, but they’re planned, not rushed.
Locker Room Vibes Are Immaculate
You don’t hear about these guys beefing in the media. No passive-aggressive tweets, no “I need more shots” nonsense. Just a bunch of young dudes who seem to genuinely like playing together.
What They’ve Already Shown Us
The Numbers Don’t Lie
When these three share the court? They’re outscoring teams by like 15 points per 100 possessions—that’s Warriors-at-their-peak level. Shai’s flirting with MVP talks, Chet might win DPOY, and J-Dub? Most improved player, easy.
Playoff Bound—Maybe Deep
Out West, it’s a bloodbath every night. But this team? They can switch everything on defense, space the floor, play fast or slow. They’ve got the tools to hang with anyone.
Okay, But Can They Really Keep This Up?
The Money Will Get Tight
Shai’s gonna get paid—like, supermax paid. Chet and Jalen won’t be far behind. The Thunder can’t pull a Harden 2.0 when the bill comes due.
Health Is Always the Wild Card
Chet’s built like a stick figure—amazing player, but you hold your breath every time he hits the floor. And young players don’t always keep improving at this rate.
The West Is Stacked
Jokic isn’t going anywhere. Luka’s always a problem. The Wolves are finally good. There’s no easy path here.
Why This Could Be Special
They’re All So Young
Shai’s the old head at 25. Chet and Jalen can’t even rent a car without extra fees. This isn’t some short window—they could be doing this for the next 10 years.
Presti’s Draft Picks Are Stupid
Seriously, the guy has more first-round picks than some teams have players. If they need to make a move, they can. If they want to stay put, they can do that too.
They Learned from the Past
That’s the key, right? The Thunder organization lived through the Durant era mess. They won’t make those same mistakes twice.
Final Thought
Look, nothing’s guaranteed in the NBA. But this group? They’ve got the talent, the chemistry, the front office—everything you need to build something lasting. If they stay healthy and keep this vibe going, we might be talking about the Thunder dynasty of the 2020s. Crazy to think about, but it’s right there for them. What do you think—will they get it done?
Source: ESPN – News
