Some teams don’t require success to inhibit the fan’s zeal and love. Back in the early 2010s, Oklahoma City Thunder was the team that was making the audience jump from their seats. Jaren Jackson Jr., even though now a rival of OKC had his heart connected with the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era in Oklahoma. While on the Chris Vernon Show, he revealed the fury he felt during a thrilling Christmas day game between the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, and his favorite OKC Thunder.

“I remember watching Christmas Day games when the Thunder were playing the Heat and they lost. Russ got a tech, Perk got a tech… I got a tech in my room. I was pissed. Huge Thunder fan, man,” he said on the show.

The matchup was intense. Only a few months ago, the two sides faced in the NBA Finals, a series the Thunder lost. It was with OKC that Kevin Durant, a freak scorer won his sole MVP honors. Years later, even Russell Westbrook would achieve the feat. They were an electric tandem, further powered by James Harden coming off the bench and making maniacal buckets on any given night.

It’s still difficult to comprehend how the team never won a championship. In their peak seasons, they had every base covered with the most riveting talents. Rim protectors like Serge Ibaka and brute Kendrick Perkins completed a star-studded lineup. The Slim Reaper and Brodie together were breaking apart rivals from the inside and outside with their emphatic synergy.

Without a doubt, it was among the most invigorating teams in the modern era achieving Finals berth in 2012 and a WCF appearance in three times. Just when it seemed they were at the doorstep, one needle movement away from a title, Durant decided to leave the Thunder in an infamous and widely criticized move to the Golden State Warriors.

Naturally, Westbrook took the helm but the life had been sucked out of the Thunder. However, they are once again on the rise, maybe a second coming of the Kevin Durant OKC?

The Oklahoma City Thunder is on the rise again

The Clippers’ trade for Paul George was looked at as being harmless at first. The Thunder got a budding Shai-Gilgeous Alexander along with lofty draft compensation. Who knew these picks would become impact-making stars that have rejuvenated energy back into Oklahoma? SGA as he goes by has become an architect scorer, leading from the front and center.

One of those picks became Jalen Williams, a vivacious guard who can play both sides of the ball. He finished last season as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Shai. Fate too sided with them as in the same draft they miraculously landed Chet Holmgren, a high-profile college center who made tremendous waves as part of Gonzaga.

After missing the entire rookie season alluding to an injury, the lanky seven-footer was the primal force that helped transform OKC’s defense. But none of it would be possible without the sleek acumen of Sam Presti, whose decision to sign Lu Dort is what completed the Thunder’s resurgence back into postseason contention.

Just like the vintage Thunder, the lead generals are all young, fearless, and overflowing with confidence. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a sublime captain, and the components around him just as lethal. It seems like the Thunder are bound to break the roof from over the heads yet again.