Oklahoma City Seems to Be Melting Down, 6-Year Run Nearly Over?

Six years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, were 23-win neophytes, but you could see the future was bright.

Five years ago, the trio of Durant, Westbrook and James Harden took the Thunder to the playoffs, where they lost a hard-fought 1st round battle against Kobe’s Lakers. It was clear OKC was on the precipice of something special.

Four years ago, the Thunder reached the conference Finals, losing to the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks in five games. Next year! was the battle cry.

Three years ago, Oklahoma City got to the NBA Finals against LeBron, won game one, and then lost the next four. The word dynasty was tossed around, understandably.

Then, it all fell apart: 33 months ago, the Thunder traded James Harden because they couldn’t sign him to a long term deal, and the franchise has been cursed with bad luck since.

A 60-win season … but Russell Westbrook was hurt in the playoffs and the Thunder lost to the Grizzlies.

A 59-win season … but Serge Ibaka was hurt in the playoffs and the Thunder lost to the Spurs.

Injuries crippled the start of this season, so now OKC will have to go on the road in all three rounds to reach the Finals.

Hey, look, point guard Reggie Jackson wants to be traded!

Oh, and we’re 16 months away from Kevin Durant having to make a decision on staying with the Thunder or taking his talents to the Wizards (or Lakers or whomever).

It’s such a colossal challenge to keep cores intact like the Lakers and Celtics did in the 80s, or Bulls did in the Michael Jordan era. The Spurs have done a phenomenal job of that over the last 15 years, but let’s remember, they did have a 5-year run in which they didn’t reach the Finals.

Sure, Durant and Westbrook can propel the current team to the playoffs, and they could do the same next year. But to the Finals, or winning a Championship? The odds are long for a reason.

Presti blew it.

As quickly as he built the team by nailing draft picks – Durant, then Westbrook, then Harden in consecutive years – the Harden trade was the beginning of the end. Injuries happen – ask the Lakers (1989 Finals vs. Detroit), Celtics (Larry Bird’s back), and more recently, the Bulls (Derrick Rose) – and trading Harden will go down as an NBA All-Timer if the Rockets win a Championship.