In 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young super-trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook fell short in the NBA Finals, a dream unfulfilled that haunts the franchise, per Brian T. Smith’s May 29, 2025, report. Now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), the 2024-25 NBA MVP, has guided OKC back to the Finals with a dominant 31.4 PPG against the Timberwolves, earning unanimous Western Conference Finals MVP honors, per the source. At 26, SGA’s brilliance, humility, and team-first mentality position him to deliver what the $1 billion trio couldn’t: an NBA title for Oklahoma City. Can SGA cement his legacy as OKC’s greatest, or will history repeat itself? This analysis explores SGA’s rise, the trio’s failures, and the Thunder’s championship quest, igniting #ThunderUp passion.
The Thunder’s 2012 Finals loss to Miami’s Big Three marked the peak and unraveling of Durant, Harden, and Westbrook, who never won a title together, per ESPN. SGA, traded to OKC in 2019 in a deal labeled the “worst ever” by Clippers fans, has transformed the franchise, leading a 62-20 season and a Finals berth, per NBA.com. His 34-point Game 5 rout of Minnesota, paired with 8.2 APG and 45.7% shooting, showcases his dominance, per the source. Facing either the Pacers or Knicks in the 2025 Finals, SGA’s leadership contrasts with the trio’s departures, per Yahoo Sports. This analysis delves into SGA’s MVP season, OKC’s rebuild, the trio’s legacy, and the stakes for a small-market franchise, with X posts like @ThunderNation hyping, “SGA is our king!”
SGA’s MVP Ascent: A Star Reborn
SGA’s 2024-25 season was historic, averaging 30.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 5.5 RPG on 53.5% FG, beating Nikola Jokić for MVP with 89% of first-place votes, per StatMuse. His 31.4 PPG in the West Finals, including a 45.7% shooting clip, earned him all nine WCF MVP votes, per the source. Unlike Durant’s scoring (28.1 PPG in 2012) or Westbrook’s triple-doubles (23.6 PPG, 10.4 APG), SGA blends efficiency and playmaking, per ESPN. X posts like @OKCThunderFan praise his “clutch gene,” citing a 38-point Game 3 vs. Denver. Traded from the Clippers for Paul George, SGA’s $80M-a-year potential reflects his value, per Yahoo Sports. At 26, is he the perfect leader OKC needs?
The Lost Super-Trio: A Cautionary Tale
Durant, Harden, and Westbrook, drafted by OKC from 2007-09, reached the 2012 Finals with a 47-19 record but lost 4-1 to Miami’s LeBron James-led trio, per NBA.com. Durant’s 30.6 PPG couldn’t overcome Miami’s defense, while Harden’s 12.4 PPG off the bench led to his trade to Houston, per ESPN. Westbrook’s 27.1 PPG in 2012 faded as he became a role player by 2025, per StatMuse. The source notes Durant’s Warriors titles (2017-18) required Curry’s system, while Harden’s scoring (36.1 PPG peak) never yielded a ring. X posts like @NBARetro lament, “OKC’s trio was robbed by egos.” Their departures—Durant to Golden State, Harden to Houston, Westbrook to L.A.—left OKC title-less, per Bleacher Report. Why did they fail where SGA thrives?
OKC’s Rebuild: Presti’s Masterplan
GM Sam Presti’s vision, from the Seattle SuperSonics to SGA’s Thunder, has rebuilt OKC around youth and depth, per the source. After trading Westbrook in 2019, Presti amassed 17 first-round picks, drafting Chet Holmgren (14.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG in 2024-25) and Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG), per NBA.com. The Thunder’s 62-20 record, best in the NBA, reflects coach Mark Daigneault’s pace-and-space system, ranking 3rd in offensive efficiency (118.7), per ESPN. SGA’s humility—“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” per the source—complements Holmgren’s rim protection and Williams’ versatility. X posts like @ThunderInsider cheer, “Presti’s a genius!” With the 2025 addition of 6’6” guard Isaiah Collier, per Yahoo Sports, is OKC’s roster championship-ready?
SGA’s Leadership: Team-First Mentality
Unlike the trio’s individual pursuits, SGA’s team-first approach shines. He credits teammates in interviews, saying, “Trusting the people around me got me here,” per the source. His 8.2 APG in the West Finals, setting up Holmgren (42.1% 3P) and Williams (50.2% FG), showcases unselfishness, per StatMuse. Compared to Westbrook’s 5.4 turnovers per game in 2012, SGA’s 2.2 turnovers reflect control, per ESPN. @SGAFanClub on X raves, “Shai’s the leader OKC always needed.” His Canadian roots and AAU mindset—“Winning is everything,” per the source—resonate with OKC’s passionate fans, who’ve made Paycom Center a fortress (78% home win rate), per NBA.com. Can SGA’s humility win where egos failed?
Stakes for OKC: A Small-Market Dream
OKC, a small-market team since 2008, hasn’t won a title since the Sonics’ 1978-79 championship, per the source. The 2012 Finals loss left fans yearning, with Durant’s exit in 2016 sparking betrayal, per Bleacher Report. SGA’s Finals run, facing a Pacers team led by Tyrese Haliburton (21.3 PPG) or a Knicks squad with Jalen Brunson (28.7 PPG), is a chance to rewrite history, per ESPN. The Thunder’s 4th-ranked defense (108.9) and Holmgren’s 2.3 BPG counter Indiana’s pace (120.5 rating), per NBA.com. X posts like @OKCFanatic warn, “SGA needs four more wins for immortality.” With Durant (no OKC title), Harden (no rings), and Westbrook (39% playoff FG), can SGA become OKC’s greatest?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP brilliance has brought the Thunder to the 2025 NBA Finals, a stage where Durant, Harden, and Westbrook faltered. His efficient scoring, selfless leadership, and Presti’s rebuilt roster offer OKC a shot at history. Facing the Pacers or Knicks, SGA’s quest for a title could eclipse the trio’s legacy and crown him the greatest in Thunder history. Will SGA deliver Oklahoma City’s long-awaited championship, or will the Finals expose cracks in the Thunder’s youth?