At first glance, one might think that the Oklahoma City Thunder are not leading the NBA in any category in recent years.
They’ve made one NBA Finals appearance in 2012, but other than that, they’ve suffered several disappointing defeats and a frustrating rebuilding process since the departure of Kevin Durant in 2016.
But this season, they surpassed the milestone by reaching the championship, largely due to the excellent play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He was named to the All-NBA First Team on Wednesday, which came as somewhat of a surprise, but in doing so, added to the Thunder’s surprising All-NBA total tally.
Gilgos Alexander tea is from OKC…
Fourth Team All-NBA First Team Player.
Fifth All-NBA Player.
Ninth Team All-NBA selection.
18 All-NBA selection.
The Thunder has led the NBA in each of these since becoming a franchise.
Brandon Rahbar May 10, 2023
Since moving from Seattle in 2008, the Thunder have had several notable NBA stars, including Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Chris Paul.
Durant has long been a fixture on All-NBA teams, especially during his time in Oklahoma City, as has Westbrook, who was named the regular season MVP for the 2016-17 campaign.
After Durant left, George was traded to the Thunder in 2017, and was named to the All-NBA Team in both of his seasons with the team.
After George’s stunning trade to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, Westbrook was shipped to the Houston Rockets for Paul, who led Oklahoma City to a surprise playoff appearance in the 2019-20 season while making the All-NBA Second Team.
With Gilgeous-Alexander, plus Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, expected to return next season, not to mention a treasure chest of first-round draft picks earned, the future looks bright for the Thunder.
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