Top 5 Power Forwards in OKC Thunder History

Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) holds the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett (24) at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beats the Minnesota Timberwolves 138-113. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Collison

This is the man who will forever be talked about in Oklahoma City Thunder lore. The man who literally bridged the gap between the Seattle SuperSonics and Thunder. The one who is known to have mentored the real MVP, Kevin Durant.

Nick Collision is deemed “Mr. Thunder” by many for a reason. He is the man who instilled the Thunder’s culture and values into many of the players who comprise the team today. Collision took Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka under his wing to make sure they would not only reach their full potential as players but also as men. To this very day, Collision continues to mentor young players as it is apparent that he has become almost like an older brother to the young Steven Adams.

Collision’s statistics will never jump out and wow anyone but he impacts the team in ways statistics can’t measure. Collision sets perfect screens, talks on defense, is an excellent pick-and-roll defender, and can step out and take a mid-range shot if need be.

His hustle is hardly ever matched but Collision’s hustle is different from many others’. For some, hustle is unbridled energy running up and down the court with reckless abandon but to Collision, it’s an art. He hustles under control and always exudes a calming presence when he steps on the floor.

All of OKC will always love you Mr. Thunder. Of that, we can be sure.

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