The most effective crew within the West is on the rise. This franchise hasn’t received an NBA title for the reason that Nineteen Seventies however led by a 26-year-old guard recent off his first MVP trophy, it almost received 70 video games, completed with a double-digit level differential and received the Western Convention finals in 5 video games.
I am speaking, in fact, in regards to the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors, who reached their first of 5 consecutive Finals a decade in the past this week.
However all the identical traits apply to the 2024-25 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who superior to the Finals with a 124-94 closeout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Thunder aren’t only a typical finalist, however a traditionally nice crew, they usually mirror these Warriors a decade later, attributable to plenty of eerie similarities between the 2 squads.
Halfway by way of the 2010s, no person would have fairly anticipated the Warriors — who, to that time, hadn’t reached the convention finals within the Stephen Curry period — to change into the last decade’s defining crew, however they compelled their manner into that spot with repeated journeys to the Finals. Equally, the Thunder hadn’t reached the convention finals within the first half of the 2020s, however they’re poised to dominate the remainder of the last decade — and, maybe, to construct a comparable dynasty of their very own.
The similarities begin with the 2 groups’ demographics. For now, the 2015 Warriors are the youngest title-winner since 1980, with a median crew age (weighted by playoff minutes) of 26.4 years. However the Thunder are even youthful, at 24.7.
That youth contains the 2 groups’ main scorers, who’re on the similar level of their marvelous careers. Curry was 26 years previous in 2014-15, simply as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now. Curry had a 63.8% true taking pictures mark en path to his first MVP a decade in the past, whereas new MVP Gilgeous-Alexander had a 63.7% true taking pictures mark this season. (Curry’s 2015 season remains to be, remarkably, the latest MVP marketing campaign that resulted in a championship, and SGA has an opportunity to affix him in that feat.)
Their sidekicks additionally look acquainted. Klay Thompson was a 24-year-old two-way star who made his first All-NBA third crew when the Warriors launched into their first title run. Jalen Williams is a 23-year-old two-way star who obtained his first All-NBA third crew nod this 12 months. Draymond Inexperienced was a 24-year-old positional tweener from the Midwest who obtained first-team All-Protection honors. Chet Holmgren is a 22-year-old unicorn from the Midwest who led the league in rim protection, and would have contended for All-Defensive recognition if he had been eligible.
However wait, there’s extra. Andre Iguodala was a 31-year-old defensive savant who elevated the Warriors when he entered video games as a reserve. Alex Caruso is identical for the Thunder, only a 12 months youthful. Iguodala earned Finals MVP honors that season. May Caruso comply with go well with?
Andrew Bogut was a defensively stout overseas middle who began video games however did not all the time end them, averaging 23 minutes in Golden State’s playoff run. Isaiah Hartenstein is virtually the identical, with 24 minutes as an alternative of 23.
Each groups additionally made a vital offense for protection commerce as they constructed out their rosters. The timelines do not match completely, however the Warriors traded a gifted guard in Monta Ellis as a result of he was a worse playmaker than Curry, and an ace defender (Bogut) was a greater match for the crew. Equally, the Thunder traded a gifted guard in Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls as a result of he wasn’t pretty much as good as Gilgeous-Alexander, and an ace defender (Caruso) made extra sense for his or her rotation.
Golden State and Oklahoma Metropolis additionally traveled alongside comparable paths by way of the playoffs, en path to the Finals, whilst critics doubted their skill to translate such large regular-season success to the postseason. Keep in mind all of the speak a decade in the past about how a 3-point-centric crew just like the Warriors could not probably win within the playoffs? It sounded loads just like the narrative this 12 months about how opponents did not “worry” the Thunder as a result of they hadn’t received the title earlier than.
The 2015 Warriors and 2025 Thunder each swept the No. 8 seed within the first spherical, with a giant comeback win in Sport 3: Golden State stormed again from 20 factors down within the fourth quarter in New Orleans — Curry’s ludicrous tying 3-pointer over Anthony Davis highlighted the comeback — whereas Oklahoma Metropolis overcame a 29-point deficit in Memphis.
Then each groups needed to survive a intestine examine towards a veteran, playoff-tested squad within the second spherical, after falling behind 2-1 within the collection. The Warriors got here again towards the Grit ‘N Grind Memphis Grizzlies to win in six video games whereas the Thunder used a number of fourth-quarter comebacks to beat the latest champion Denver Nuggets in seven.
Each groups used a novel defensive wrinkle — the Warriors had Bogut “guard” non-shooter Tony Allen, and the Thunder put Caruso on three-time MVP large man Nikola Jokic — to pave the best way to victory.
And within the convention finals, dealing with a crew led by an ascendant star guard (James Harden of the Houston Rockets then and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves now) and a multitime Defensive Participant of the 12 months at middle (Dwight Howard then and Rudy Gobert now), the Thunder and Warriors received in 5.
Maybe the 2 groups adopted analogous trajectories due to their comparable statistical profiles. The Warriors are remembered for his or her offensive brilliance, as avatars of the 3-point revolution, however their first championship crew was truly higher on the opposite finish. Golden State ranked first in defensive score and second on offense, just like the Thunder rating first in defensive score and third on offense this season.
Each groups allowed considerably extra free throws than they tried, however they led the league in factors off turnovers and had been able to breaking their opponents with sudden factors barrages.
Maybe probably the most essential connection within the large image between the 2 dominant groups is that the perfect was but to come back for Golden State, which can be true for Oklahoma Metropolis as effectively. Looking back, it is easy to determine the Warriors’ magical 2014-15 season as simply the beginning of one thing particular, fairly than the height — they really had a greater level differential in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and received a number of extra titles after their first.
Equally, it isn’t laborious to think about an excellent higher Thunder season within the close to future, given the group’s youth and roster flexibility. The Thunder may additionally profit from higher harm luck. They received at a 70-win tempo when no less than one in every of Holmgren and Hartenstein was accessible however misplaced each large males for a pair much less profitable stretches of this season.
In any case, the Thunder already set the NBA document for level differential this season. With one other 12 months of improvement, is it that onerous to ascertain them pushing for the regular-season win document (73) subsequent 12 months, contemplating the Warriors set the mark the 12 months after their first Finals run?
Two major obstacles may get in the best way of an Oklahoma Metropolis dynasty that will rival the Warriors’ final decade, nevertheless. First, the NBA’s new apron guidelines may trigger a untimely breakup of the Thunder’s elite depth.
To be able to hold their championship roster collectively for the long run, the Warriors led the NBA in payroll in 2017-18 and 2018-19, with a mixed $86 million in luxurious tax funds throughout these two seasons. A decade later, it isn’t only a query of whether or not Oklahoma Metropolis’s homeowners will approve such lavish spending, however whether or not further apron restrictions will preclude that risk completely.
Second, the Warriors prolonged their run by signing Kevin Durant in his prime.
It is enjoyable to invest how their dynasty might need unfolded had Durant signed elsewhere or stayed with the Thunder in 2016. It is not as if Warriors would have collapsed with out him: They’d simply received 73 video games and certain would have received the title if not for Inexperienced’s suspension within the Finals.
However Cleveland had arguably the perfect crew of the second LeBron James period in 2017 — these Cavaliers began 12-1 within the playoffs to succeed in the Finals — and Western Convention threats just like the San Antonio Spurs and the Rockets had been on the rise. Golden State in all probability would not have reached 5 Finals in a row with out Durant.
(It is easy to spin out additional hypotheticals right here. If Durant hadn’t signed with the Warriors, would Zaza Pachulia have been ready to slip beneath Kawhi Leonard’s foot within the 2017 convention finals? Would Daryl Morey have traded for Chris Paul to construct the primary 60-win crew in Rockets historical past? Would the Thunder have even traded for Paul George as a Durant alternative, setting in movement the occasions that led to Gilgeous-Alexander’s arrival in Oklahoma Metropolis?)
Regardless, Durant’s transfer to Golden State captured an unprecedented state of affairs within the sport’s historical past, which created arguably the perfect crew the league has ever seen: the 2016-17 Warriors, who rampaged by way of the playoffs with a 16-1 document.
Until the Thunder win the title and commerce for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer season, it is irrational to think about a comparable transfer for Oklahoma Metropolis. In and of itself, that is perhaps enough motive to doubt the Thunder’s skill to dominate the remainder of the 2020s, relative to Golden State’s within the 2010s.
However the Thunder have one benefit the Warriors did not. Apart from Durant, Golden State did not actually add to its core as soon as it began profitable. Of the highest 10 Warriors in complete playoff minutes throughout their five-year run, eight had been already on the crew when the 2014-15 season started. The one exceptions had been Durant and Kevon Looney, who joined the membership in the summertime of 2016 through free company and the draft, respectively.
Golden State barely used the draft after including Curry, Thompson, Inexperienced and Harrison Barnes from 2009 by way of 2012. Attributable to plenty of trades, the Warriors made simply three picks within the six drafts from 2013 by way of 2018. Looney labored out, however Damian Jones and Jacob Evans didn’t. In addition they traded for Jordan Bell, Patrick McCaw and Nemanja Nedovic on draft evening, none of whom developed into long-term contributors.
Not like the Warriors, the Thunder have extra picks than they’ll truly use, together with all of their very own picks and future first-round alternatives or swaps from the Miami Warmth, LA Clippers, Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. That stash means extra alternatives for Oklahoma Metropolis to construct round its younger large three — which might be obligatory, given the cap problems that hamper deep, star-laden groups within the trendy NBA.
The notion of a dynasty in Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless appears far-off on condition that it hasn’t received its first title but. However the Thunder are closely favored to take action, and may they win, they are going to be in a greater place to increase their reign than any latest champion.
After a whole column’s price of similarities, that context is perhaps the best distinction between the 2015 Warriors and 2025 Thunder. Golden State emerged into the highlight as the newest version in a protracted lineage of NBA dynasties. From 1999 by way of 2014, each Finals featured the Lakers, Spurs or Warmth, and repeat titles had been the norm fairly than the exception.
By comparability, as Oklahoma Metropolis ascends the aggressive ladder, the NBA is assured to have its seventh totally different champion previously seven years. No reigning champ has superior previous the second spherical for the reason that 2018-19 Warriors.
However the stage is about for the following nice NBA dynasty. The Thunder’s blueprint is evident, as they comply with the Warriors’ mannequin a decade later. They’ve assembled a proficient large three with the right supporting forged. They’ve survived the mandatory playoff checks. They usually’re ready to outline the 2020s, simply because the Warriors grew to become synonymous with the NBA within the 2010s.
