Mount Rushmore is a sculpture of four United States presidents carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is also a phrase commonly used to describe the four key players of an American sports franchise’s history.
The OKC Thunder are entering their 18th season in Oklahoma City after relocating from Seattle,coming off the franchise’s first championship since the move. Who makes up the Mount Rushmore of this young franchise?
Starting with one ot the two “founding fathers” of Thunder basketball,point guard Russell Westbrook is the franchise’s greatest,according to some.
During his 11-season thunder career, Westbrook averaged 23 points, 8.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. He averaged a triple-double in each of his final three seasons with the team.
In Westbrook’s 2016-17 MVP-winning season, he became the first player to average a triple-double, 31.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 10.7 assists, as Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 season. Westbrook also led the league in scoring that season.
Westbrook’s legendary Thunder career ended after a trade in the summer of 2019, which sent him to Houston and reunited him with his former teammate, James Harden. He’s bounced around five teams since leaving OKC; he is currently a free agent after spending last season with the Denver Nuggets.
The franchise’s other “founding father,” forward Kevin Durant, must be on this list as well. Some believe he is the moast talented player to ever grace the franchise.
Through nine seasons with OKC, Durant averaged 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He shot 48.3% from the field, 38% from three and 88.2% from the line in his Thunder career. Equaling a true shooting percentage of 60.5%.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Leading the Oklahoma City Thunder into a New Era
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly become the cornerstone of the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading the franchise to a championship and establishing himself as one of the NBA’s premier players. His journey to stardom,marked by remarkable skill and resilience – even playing through a torn wrist ligament during the championship run – has captivated fans and solidified his place in Thunder history. As he enters his fourth season with OKC, the future looks incredibly luminous for both Gilgeous-Alexander and the team.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Originally drafted 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft, Gilgeous-Alexander was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. https://www.nba.com/draft/2018/players/shai-gilgeous-alexander He spent one season with the Clippers before being traded to the Thunder in July 2019 as part of the Paul George deal. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html
Championship Success and Individual Accolades
The 2024 NBA Finals saw Gilgeous-Alexander elevate his game to another level. Despite battling a wrist injury, he led the Thunder to their first NBA Championship. His 40-point performance in Game 5 of the Finals remains a defining moment in franchise history. The Thunder defeated the Boston Celtics 4-1 to secure the title. https://www.nba.com/news/oklahoma-city-thunder-win-2024-nba-finals-boston-celtics
His outstanding play was recognized with numerous accolades. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Defensive Second Team last season, demonstrating his impact on both ends of the court. https://www.nba.com/news/2024-nba-all-defensive-teams-announced
A Young Franchise Rich in Talent
The Oklahoma City Thunder,despite its relatively young history,has quickly become a destination for top NBA talent. The franchise has been fortunate to have three MVP winners play for the team: Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (awarded in 2024).Looking Ahead
As Gilgeous-Alexander enters his fourth season with the thunder, expectations are high. He continues to refine his game and is poised to become an even more dominant force in the league. With a talented supporting cast and a bright future, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are positioned to contend for championships for years to come.
Key Takeaways:
* Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA Championship in 2024.
* He has consistently improved throughout his career, averaging 18.1 points,4.6 rebounds,and 4.3 assists per game through his first three seasons.
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