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The Oklahoma City Thunder have only been in existence since 2008, although the franchise has managed to quickly establish themselves as one of the NBA's best and most consistent. Since their inception just over a decade ago, the Thunder have missed out on the playoffs just twice, and came close to winning the title in 2012 and 2016.
Nevertheless, after three consecutive first-round playoff exits, the summer of 2019 saw Sam Presti hit the reset button, and the Thunder are now heading towards a potentially long-term rebuild.
Due to this, it is the perfect time to assess the first 11 years of the franchise, and here are the five greatest players in the history of the OKC Thunder.
#5 Steven Adams
Steven Adams is still only 26 years of age, although he has now spent five seasons as a starter for the Thunder. Since becoming the first-ever New Zealander to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, Adams has made an impression with his physical play, and many general managers have labeled him as the NBA's toughest competitor.
Adams has also managed to improve his point and rebound totals each year, and the 2018-19 season was the best of his career as he almost averaged a double-double for the first time. Under contract for a further two seasons, Adams is expected to play an even bigger role for the Thunder going forward, and he is currently on track to have his jersey retired with the franchise.
#4 James Harden
Harden was selected with the third overall pick of the 2009 draft, and in his debut season, he produced one of the best three-point shooting seasons by a rookie in NBA history. Harden took that momentum into his second season as he scored 10-plus points on 54 occasions from the bench, although it wasn't until the 2012-13 season that he really became a star.
Despite only starting two games, Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds as he helped the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance. The then 22-year-old was also named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year and appeared set to form a big-3 alongside Westbrook and Durant.
Nevertheless, the Thunder failed to agree on a new deal with Harden, and he was quickly traded to the Houston Rockets - creating one of the biggest 'What-Ifs' in NBA history.
#3 Serge Ibaka
Between 2010 and 2016, the Thunder were consistently among the best teams in the NBA, as Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant led the team. Nevertheless, throughout large stretches of that period, the Thunder essentially had a third star in Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka was drafted on the same day as Westbrook, and after waiting a year to make his full NBA debut, the Congolese stopper quickly established himself as one the NBA's best defenders. During his time with the Thunder, Ibaka led the NBA in blocks twice, while also being named to the All-Defensive First Team on three occasions.
As a reliable rim protector for seven seasons, Ibaka allowed Westbrook and Durant to lead the offense, although the forward worked hard to develop his shot following Harden's departure in 2012. Ibaka departed in 2016, although he still leads the team with an astonishing 1300 blocks, while also sitting third on the all-time list for minutes played and points scored.
#2 Kevin Durant
While Kevin Durant has received a mixed reception from the OKC fans since his controversial departure in 2016, the small forward is still widely regarded as one of the greatest to wear an OKC Thunder jersey. Durant spent one season in Seattle before moving with the team to Oklahoma City in 2008 and was averaging over 30 points-per-game before turning 22.
Over an incredible 8 seasons in Oklahoma City, Durant averaged more than 27-points-per-game, and the Washington native became the Thunder's first-ever MVP in 2014. Durant never managed to deliver a Championship to the Thunder, although he averaged 30.6 points against LeBron James and the Miami Heat during the team's first trip to the NBA Finals in 2012.
A return is unlikely to ever happen following Durant's recent comments about his departure, although no-one can take away what the 10-time All-Star contributed during the early year's of the organization.
#1 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook completed a surprise trade to the Houston Rockets earlier this summer, although the point guard will always be remembered by the Thunder fan-base as the force behind the team during its first decade of existence.
Westbrook was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics just six days before the team moved to Oklahoma City, and was named to the All-Rookie First Team following an impressive debut season. By 2011, Westbrook was an All-Star, and his relentless hustle and drive meant that the Thunder supporters took to him in a way that they never did with the more talented Durant.
Westbrook also made history as he averaged a triple-double during his final three years with the franchise, and he left the team leading in points, rebounds, minutes, assists, and steals. Ultimately, Westbrook is the greatest to ever pull on an OKC jersey, and there is no doubting that his number 0 will eventually be retired.
Guess the Lakers players!
