The 2024\u201325 season belonged to the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian had one of the best individual statistical seasons in NBA history, winning both the MVP and the Finals MVP. It was also the Thunder\u2019s first title since relocating to Oklahoma from Seattle in 2008. But is it enough to call SGA the franchise GOAT?<\/p>\n
There have been some incredible players who have repped OKC over the last decade or so. Russell Westbrook<\/a>, Kevin Durant, Paul George, James Harden have all been Thunder players. So, on the Club 520 podcast, hosted by Jeff Teague, the panelists debated who the true best Thunder ever was.<\/p>\n Teague, who won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks, along with the rest of his panel, had it down to the obvious choices: Shai, Westbrook, and Durant. And Teague\u2019s choice was interesting, to say the least.<\/p>\n \u201cRuss is the No. 1 Thunder, but Shai gonna be the No. 1,\u201d claimed Teague. One of his buddies immediately responded, \u201cShai No. 1 now,\u201d which led to an argument about each man, including Durant<\/a>, having a right to be called OKC\u2019s GOAT. They didn\u2019t really do a deep statistical dive, but that doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t.<\/p>\n KD\u2019s 2013\u201314 MVP year was basketball poetry. He poured in 32 points a game on over 50% shooting while adding 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He was efficient, unstoppable, and put together one of the best scoring runs in modern history. When he was locked in, no one on earth could guard him. He rightfully won MVP that year.<\/p>\n Russ\u2019s 2016\u201317 season was pure chaos in the best way. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists while leading the league in scoring and assists. He broke the single-season triple-double record with 42 games and also won MVP that season.<\/p>\n SGA, meanwhile, averaged 32 PPG and helped his team win the chip. This is the info that eventually made Teague change his mind and name the 27-year-old as his new pick for the Thunder\u2019s top guy of all time.<\/p>\n