The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of a dramatic NBA Playoff chase, which no one predicted after Chet Holmgren was lost for the season back in August. However, this season, the young core Sam Presti has put together has been highlighted. Now, it is catching the eye of Presti’s first prize, Kevin Durant.
The OKC Thunder were on cloud nine from 2008-2016 when Kevin Durant dawned the Bricktown Blue. Durant brought many Western Conference Finals runs, a Western Conference Championship, an MVP season, and more All-Stars and scoring titles than we can count. It was a historic run that no one thought could be duplicated, much less surpassed. The Franchise was only a decade old in its new home, and it felt like the peak.
Kevin Durant’s comments about the new OKC Thunder core raise eyebrows.
On Sunday, Kevin Durant was back in town with his new Sun’s team, and was fantastic. As the boos reigned down on him each time his hands graced the basketball, Durant turned in 35 points, five assists, five rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 62 percent from the floor.
After the game, KD was asked about this young Thunder core and if it reminds him of his era: “They’re a little bit more versatile…They got three or four guys, 6’7, 6’8, that can handle the ball. I wish I would’ve had that.”
Asked KD if this Thunder core reminds him of that first Thunder team.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) April 3, 2023
“They’re a little bit more versatile … They got three or four guys 6-7, 6-8 that can handle the ball. I wish I would’ve had that.” pic.twitter.com/IUQi79zHJ8
Durant explained that Jeff Green was ahead of his time, and this group “fits more of the NBA mold right now, and they got Chet [Holmgren] still waiting.” Then, of course, KD mentioned the “boatload of picks” OKC has.
These comments were capped off by Kevin Durant saying the Oklahoma City Thunder are “building something special.”
This is not the first time Kevin Durant has shouted out the young core in Oklahoma City. Durant gave Chet Holmgren many props on Twitter after Holmgren dominated Summer League.
As we watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turn into a star, Jalen Williams makes a strong case for Rookie of the Year, a leap from Josh Giddey in year two, and Chet Holmgren’s practice videos, and it is easy to see how special this group could be.