History of the Oklahoma City Thunder

70s - Spreading the Wealth

In the 1970s, the Sonics built one of the most well rounded championship teams ever put together. 7 players averaged scoring in double figures and no one averaged more than 20 points per game. Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma served as their two all stars.

80s - A Slow Decline

Eventually these stars and role players left the team until they began to miss the playoffs. The hunt for another core of championship caliber players began.

90s - Finals Run

After drafting the athletic beast, Shawn Kemp, and defensive stopper, Gary Payton, the Sonics were back in business. In ‘96 they managed earning a one seed and second best record in the NBA behind only the Jordan led Bulls. The two teams met in the finals but the Bulls ended up winning in 6 games. This Sonics team was never able to make it back to the finals after that.

00s - A New City

This decade served as the last years in Seattle when they were surprisingly moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. With a new city came new young stars as they drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden in three consecutive drafts, setting them up for the future.

10s - Contenders Again

With this core they became contenders year in and year out. They got to the finals in 2012 but let James Harden go in free agency and years later Kevin Durant opted to leave the franchise as well. They never made it out of the first round of the playoffs after Durant left.