How the Thunder failed to win a title after drafting three MVPs in a row
Published -
- August 10, 2019
- 2:00 pm
The Oklahoma City Thunder had Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden on the same team under the age of 24.
They made a run to the 2012 NBA Finals before losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. From there, it was all downhill for OKC.
What were the key reasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s failure to win an NBA championship despite having three future MVPs on their roster?
The Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics, made history in the NBA draft by selecting three future Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winners in a row from 2007-2009. The Thunder’s remarkable streak began with the selection of Kevin Durant in 2007, followed by Russell Westbrook in 2008, and James Harden in 2009. Despite having such a talented roster, the Thunder failed to win an NBA championship during their time together.
During the span of their careers with the Thunder, Durant, Westbrook, and Harden established themselves as dynamic players in the league. Together, they led the Thunder to four Western Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance in 2012, where they fell to the Miami Heat. However, their success was not enough to secure a title, and the three MVPs eventually parted ways.
Several issues contributed to the Thunder’s inability to win a championship. One of the key reasons was injuries to key players. Durant missed significant time during the 2014-2015 season with a foot injury, which put a dent in their championship aspirations. Westbrook also suffered an injury in the 2013 playoffs, which resulted in an early exit for the team.
Another reason for the Thunder’s struggles was their inability to build a well-rounded supporting cast around Durant, Westbrook, and Harden. Despite their individual talents, the big three lacked proper team balance, which made it difficult to win a championship. The team was also limited financially and struggled to add quality players due to salary constraints.
Additionally, the Thunder’s coaching staff has been criticized for their handling of the team. In particular, the decision to trade Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012 has been widely scrutinized. Harden went on to become one of the best players in the league, and many wonder what could have been if he had stayed in OKC.
Ultimately, the Thunder’s lack of championship success was a combination of injuries, roster balance, and questionable coaching decisions. Despite their shortcomings, the Thunder’s big three left an indelible mark on the league, and their legacy will not soon be forgotten. The team’s remarkable feat of drafting three MVPs in a row will go down in NBA history as one of the greatest accomplishments in league history, serving as a testament to the Thunder’s ability to identify and develop young talent.
