OKC Thunder: Opponent lessons to help structure next era of the franchise
As the OKC Thunder exits a highly successful 12-years and enters a rebuilding stage there are lessons that can be gleaned from the competition.
With American Thanksgiving in mind, a thought occurred regarding how successful the OKC Thunder have been over their 12-year existence. Specifically, the club’s success when it came to reaching the postseason.
In those 12 years of their existence, the OKC Thunder have only missed the playoffs twice, including the inaugural 2008-09 season. The second occasion happened in 2014-15 when the Thunder tied the New Orleans Pelicans 45-37 record but lost out based on their conference record.
That latter incident was the year Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook missed 55 and 15 games respectively. So the fact they almost got in was impressive and also drills home the mindset and culture of the Thunder organization.
This is a team regardless of the roster who never quits and always competes. Case in point, when Kevin Durant exited in free agency analysts assumed that was the end of the run. Ditto for this past season when Westbrook and George were traded. Instead, the team battled and got to the playoffs in spite of pundits’ predictions.
The performance in their 10 postseason appearances is also impressive with one trip to the NBA Finals, three Western Conference Finals, one semi-final, and five first-round exits (including the last four years).
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How OKC Thunder 12-year playoff run compares to the competition
Therefore, with the club committed to rebuilding (READ: tanking) this is unprecedented territory. With that in mind, let’s look at the competition over the same 12-year period. A scan of the 29 teams should offer perspective on this new venture while also confirming just how successful the OKC Thunder have been.
Central Division:
Four of the five teams within this division have won titles under their current city and name. One (the Pacers) hasn’t won since joining the NBA. And, two clubs were successful but haven’t been in the mix of the elite for 16 or more seasons.
Chicago Bulls: 54 seasons – 6 titles
The Bulls began the 12-year span with seven consecutive playoff appearances but have only made the cut once in the last five seasons. Of their eight playoff trips, five ended in the first round, twice they reached the semi-finals, and once they went to the conference finals.
For as much as it seems like the Bulls have struggled in recent seasons the longest stretch of missing the postseason is six years. In comparison to their peers, that’s not a large gap and even during the current 12-year segment we’re looking at, the longest gap is the current three years.
Another feather the Bulls can put in their cap — they’ve played in six NBA Finals and won them all. Mind you, they had this guy named Michael Jordan leading them!
Cleveland Cavaliers: 50 seasons – 1 title
Cleveland is intrinsically tied to LeBron James. Since the superstar entered the league every iteration of the Cavs not featuring James has missed the playoffs. Even in the first two seasons of James’ career, the Cavs missed the postseason.
In the 12-years we’re looking at, the Cavs made it to the semi-finals and conference finals to start the period then missed the next four years as James moved to Miami. Upon his return, the Cavs went to four straight NBA Finals winning their one and only franchise title. Since James left for the Lakers two seasons ago Cleveland has missed the postseason.
All five finals appearances the Cavaliers made were teams featuring LeBron James on the roster.
Detroit Pistons: 72 seasons (63 as Detroit, 9 as Fort Wayne) – 3 titles
Although the Pistons are steeped in history with the Bad Boys era and the “Team Focus” era that Chauncey Billups led they have been mired in mediocrity of late. In this 12 season segment, we’re analyzing the Pistons have three trips to the playoffs all ending with first-round exits.
In their history, the Pistons have been to seven NBA Finals winning three and losing four.
Indy Pacers: 53 seasons – 3 titles (all while an ABA team)
Nine playoff appearances with two specific segments within that grouping. From 2010 to 2014 the Pacers were among the top East teams reaching the conference finals twice.
Following a one-year absence, Indiana has been to the playoffs the last five years in a row but never got out of the first round.
The Pacers franchise is one of the best at remaining competitive with their longest consecutive stretch being five seasons. In all the Pacers played in six Finals winning three of four while still an ABA squad and then two losses once they were in the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks: 52 seasons – 1 title
In seven of the past 12 years, the Bucks have earned a postseason berth. Their best performance was reaching the semi-finals and conference finals once each but that was considered a disappointment as the team held the top record in both years.
Overall the franchise has been good at remaining competitive with their longest absence of seven seasons occurring in the 90s. They’ve played in two NBA finals winning once.