The Oklahoma City Thunder accomplished something truly special in the 2022-2023 NBA season, reaching an incredible franchise record of 68 wins. Eked into the second-to-last playoff seed — as Gilgeous-Alexander continued to improve, too — the squad was the second-youngest NBA title winner in history. The Thunder are enjoying a renaissance after a long and painful process of rebuilding. They fought through back-to-back seasons where they still finished close to the bottom of the Western Conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander has transformed into the personification of the Thunder’s new core values, which emphasize professionalism and working hard to play hard. His steadfast dedication to these values is what sets him apart from his counterparts and has played a huge role in the team’s rise. Sam Presti, the Thunder’s general manager, highlighted the organization’s “obsession with improvement,” which has been paramount in transforming the franchise’s fortunes.
As the Thunder head towards contention, they are going there in a shrewd manner. As of now, they’ve got 34 national broadcast games scheduled, which makes them tied for the most broadcasted games in the league. Despite being a perennial contender since 2011, Oklahoma City has not paid the luxury tax in several years. That healthy positioning gives them the freedom to both build towards their future and remain competitive this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey with the Thunder began when he was acquired in the trade that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. Since then, he has emerged as a leader on and off the court, culminating in his first All-Star selection in 2023 and a First-Team All-NBA nod. He was second in MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic. At the same time, that year the Thunder became the youngest No. 1 seed in history.
In his own words:
“Really and truly, all that stuff is cool, but if you don’t win [the championship], it doesn’t matter.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Photo by Zach Beeker, OKC Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault spoke to the pursuit of a championship as an amazing distraction and an incredible challenge. If those aspirations are lofty, he adds, it’s important to keep your feet on the ground to make sure you can keep growing.
Our team collectively has done an unbelievable job of bringing it to life, he’s got the kind of gravity that the minute he’s not committed to one of those things, it doesn’t have the same upside, Daigneault noted, reflecting on Gilgeous-Alexander’s influence within the team.
The Thunder’s ethos revolves around teamwork and simplicity, which Gilgeous-Alexander articulated clearly:
“The things we want are so complicated and so hard to get. When you just focus on the simple things and the little things, you’ll look up and be there one day.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
This way of thinking encourages a fearless culture on your team. It provides a platform for players to have fun competing against each other while still pushing one another to the highest level. Jalen Williams remarked:
“Once you start looking too far ahead, you start tripping over stuff that’s in front of you.” – Jalen Williams
The Thunder crew is at their best when their teamwork and synergy take over. As veteran player Alex Caruso jokingly noted, he was the only person on the roster who knew how to properly pop a champagne bottle during their celebratory wins. This playfulness balances their earnestness about getting better.
He added that this approach requires discipline and humility, especially as they navigate new challenges in pursuit of their goals:
“Whatever we want, we’ve had to make happen.” – Sam Presti
The Thunder are on a long, long road to recovery. With a new arena expected to open in the 2028-29 season, they’re giddily looking ahead to their future. This progress reflects Oklahoma City’s desire to continue creating a sustainable and equitable foundation for future generations.
“In this case, making it happen means having the discipline and humility to turn the page and push ourselves forward.” – Sam Presti
Despite their historic achievements this past season, Gilgeous-Alexander remains humble about their playoff performance:
The Thunder’s transformation from a rebuilding franchise to a championship contender stands as a testament to their perseverance and team unity. With Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm and Presti’s vision leading them, Oklahoma City seems destined to remain a meaningful success story for years to come.
“I don’t think as a group we played our best basketball in that playoff run.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder’s evolution from a rebuilding franchise to a championship contender highlights their resilience and collective effort. With Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm and Presti’s vision guiding them, Oklahoma City appears poised for sustained success.
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