Right now, things are looking up for Oklahoma basketball. After a great season last term – which put the rebuild ‘project’ ahead of schedule – Oklahoma City Thunder fans are thinking big things are possible for the upcoming 2024/25 NBA season. 

Of course, it’s a long road ahead, and while most sportsbooks’ NBA odds have the Thunder down as second-favorites behind the Celtics for the NBA Championship, there are no gimmes for this up-and-coming team. 

Fans will be thinking back to the last time Oklahoma looked truly competitive – the 2011/12 NBA season. Shortened by almost two months due to the collective bargaining fallout between players and owners, the 66-game season got underway in December. Oklahoma got hot right out of the blocks. 

Thunder Had a Hot Start in 2012

The team went 5-0 in December, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook starring. Importantly for the season ahead, they made a good fist of making their home patch, and then Chesapeake Energy Arena looked like a fortress. That would count for much when they would eventually reach the Playoffs. 

While Oklahoma first tasted defeat in January, they were still pretty hot across the late winter. They went 11-4 in January and 12-3 (including a 7-0 home stretch) in February. Durant and Westbrook were the show's stars, but James Harden also emerged as an impact player off the bench. He made every minute count, eventually winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Harden would leave the Thunder the next season and become an automatic starter, but despite only starting 2 games across the season, his influence was crucial. 

Going into March and April, the Thunder started to take their foot off the gas a bit. They finished the season with a 19-12 record in March and April. Overall, they put up 47-19 in the regular season, which is the third-best record in the NBA. Fans were talking about them as Championship contenders. 

Blowing Away the Champs

Talk of titles reached a fever pitch when the Thunder blew away the Mavs – the defending champions – in the first round. In a 4-0 series win, Harden once again showed that he was a star of the future, complementing the scoring of Durant and the assist-making of Westbrook. Serge Ibaka was also key throughout the season and into the Playoffs. He led the NBA in blocks per game and was crucial in gaining rebounds in key games. 

Next up, the Lakers. We got to see both sides of Oklahoma in this series. The Thunder smashed the opposition by 29 points in the opening game and then ground out a low-scoring two-point victory in the next. The Thunder lost a tight Game 3, but they eked out another close one in Game 4 before blowing away the Lakers in Game 5. It put Oklahoma on 8-1 for the Playoffs thus far, including a 5-0 home record.

The Western Conference Finals are etched in Oklahoma fans’ memories. They lost the opening two games at the AT&T Center against the San Antonio Spurs before winning two at home to tie the series 2-2. A return to San Antonio saw a massive 109-103 victory, with Kendrick Perkins showing that this team had more than just its superstar names. A Game 6 victory at the Chesapeake Energy Arena put the Thunder in their first NBA Finals since moving from Seattle. 

The Big 3

The 2012 NBA Finals pitted the Miami Heat and its celebrated Big 3 – Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh – against an Oklahoma team with that crucial home advantage. Of course, Thunder had its own Big 3 – Westbrook, Durant, and Harden would all be future MVPs. Thunder started as fans had come to expect at home – with a victory. At this point, the Thunder were 9-0 at home in the Playoffs. 

Did things fall apart after that? The Heat went on a tear, with James, in particular, showing that he should always be in the GOAT conversation. Until Game 5, most games were tight, with Oklahoma never losing by more than 6 points. Yet, arguably, Game 4 saw the cracks in the Oklahoma team. Only Westbrook and Durant could score in the final 16 minutes of that game. 

Miami had James, yes, and his MVP-winning performance was worthy of winning any Championship. But their depth told, too—not just Bosh and Wade but the likes of Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, and even Mike Miller. They also stood up to the plate. In the series, Oklahoma was far too reliant on Durant and Westbrook. We often talk about stars in the NBA, but everyone needs the team firing on all cylinders around them, even Lebron James. 

In the end, the Miami victory felt inevitable. The team was built  - programmed, if you will – to win the NBA Championship. They did so in style, making light work of a robust Oklahoma City Thunder side that many hoped would be a great team. They came up short, and, in truth, they can probably have few complaints. 

While Harden headed off to Houston for a chance to be a starter and the face of a franchise, the band mostly stayed together. Durant and Westbrook stuck around for several seasons, each contributing to keeping the Thunder competitive. Durant would become the regular-season MVP two seasons later, and Westbrook the All-Star Game MVP a season after that. In three of the four subsequent seasons, Oklahoma made the Western Conference Semi-Finals or better. But there was never that sense of opportunity again. 

In 2024, we saw a very different Oklahoma City Thunder side prepare for its 17th season based in the Sooner State. There are no Durants or Westbrooks, but that is by design. It’s a young, hungry team with plans to deliver an NBA Championship to the Oklahoma faithful. It might not necessarily be this season, although most pundits expect them to be the ‘best of the West.’ But it does feel like the trajectory is headed that way. Might they eclipse the 2012/12 Thunder team?

___

Sports Team History is your ultimate destination to explore the rich heritage and iconic logos of professional sports teams across MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Premier League, WNBA, UFL, XFL, ABA, AAF, and USFL. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales and memorable moments that have shaped each team's legacy.

But that's not all! At Sports Team History, we believe in celebrating the exceptional talents that have graced the sports world. That's why we're thrilled to announce our upcoming "Greatest Player Poll" where fans like you can cast your votes and have your say in determining the greatest players of all time in various sports.

Our partner site, Sports Logo History, offers a vibrant community of logo enthusiasts who appreciate the evolution of team visual identities. Dive into detailed analysis and discussions surrounding logos representing the teams we love. Stay updated with Sports News History, providing 24/7 sports news coverage to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments. Lastly, explore the premier sports team marketplace at Sports Store History, where you'll find a wide selection of jerseys, caps, and collectibles to showcase your team spirit. Embark on a journey through time, celebrate team logos, stay informed with the latest news, and discover unique sports memorabilia to enhance your collection. Let Sports Team History fuel your passion for sports.