The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 134-115 win over the LA Clippers could symbolically be viewed as a shifting of the tide in the NBA.
Though they’re near each other in the standings, OKC and LA have reached this point in opposite ways.
The Thunder’s youth has pried open a new contending window. The Clippers’ veteran group is headlined by several 30-plus-year-old stars who’ll likely make the Hall of Fame.
Both franchises are heading in different directions. The Thunder will likely enjoy a long run of success. The Clippers need to win right now before their stars age out.
It’s only fitting that OKC’s blowout win featured several former Thunder greats on the opposite side: Russell Westbrook, Paul George and James Harden each carved out their place in Thunder lore.
Westbrook continues to be a fan favorite. He was the recipient of the loudest cheers from an active crowd. George helped catapult the Thunder to their current success by demanding out. Harden was the headliner of one of the biggest trades in league history.
Even though he was only in OKC for three seasons, Harden spoke fondly of his time there and said the current core — led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams — could bring success similar to that first iteration of the Thunder.
“It reminds me of when I was here, the beginning of the Thunder Up days,” Harden told local reporters after the game. “And it’s beautiful. It’s been a long time as far as the rebuilding process, but I think it’s exciting and these fans deserve some good basketball.”
James Harden on facing another good, young Thunder team:
"It reminds me of when I was here, the beginning of the Thunder Up days. And it’s beautiful. It’s been a long time as far as the rebuilding process but I think it’s exciting and these fans deserve some good basketball."
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) December 22, 2023
While Thunder fans likely have mixed feelings toward Harden, it was a nice sentiment from the former MVP to speak highly of what OKC has built the last few years.
If what Harden says turns out to be true, then that means the Thunder will have a nearly two-decade-long window of winning basketball — something that seldom happens in small markets.
