While the Celtics, the last club billed as being potentially the league's next great dynasty, may have just collapsed, the OKC Thunder, the new consensus frontrunner for such a lofty title, still appear to be holding strong.
Jaylen Brown may have just unintentionally shed light on the reason for why.
During his introductory press conference with the 76ers, Brown described his relationship with his former Celtics teammate, Jayson Tatum, as having its "ups and downs," and even admitted that they haven't spoken since he was dealt to Philadelphia back in early July.
Now, this isn't the first time word has come out about star teammates not being the closest. From Shaq and Kobe to Kyrie and LeBron, it's certainly not uncommon for top-billed running mates to butt heads with one another.
However, this Brown presser serves as a stark reminder of just how different the Thunder seem to be, as they clearly go against this trend of existing internal animosity and, instead, generally appear to like one another from the top down.
Thunder players are not only teammates, but friends
Though it may sound too good to be true, by all accounts, it seems that this Thunder squad is closer than just your average teammates are -- they all seem to be friends.
Whether it's shown in the form of hyping up the 15-man off the bench splashing home on a three-ball in garbage time or off-court thrift shopping sprees, OKC is more than just your ordinary team but, rather, a brotherhood.
Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said it best this past postseason when he described playing with the Thunder as playing pick-up ball "with your friends," and noted that they have fun "being together and hanging out together."
While there always seemed to be constant tension between Brown and Tatum, with a visible drive for both to claim the title of Boston's number one option, the Thunder not only have a clear hierarchy, but a universally accepted willingness to abide by it.
Instead of competing against one another, Oklahoma City's cast of ballers actively seek to lift each other up. It's why we've regularly seen guys like superstar SGA getting together with rotation players such as Cason Wallace and Jared McCain this summer to work on their respective crafts.
Despite all the pressures that come with chasing dynasty status, the Thunder seem to be holding strong as friends in their pursuit for greatness.
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