Is the Thunder Dynasty that is about to begin stronger than the Warriors Dynasty that year?

On June 5, in the long history of the NBA, the rise of dynasty teams is always accompanied by fierce discussions and comparisons. Recently, the remarks of former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins ​​have attracted widespread attention - he believes that the upcoming Oklahoma City Thunder dynasty may be stronger than the Golden State Warriors dynasty that year. This view undoubtedly dropped a bombshell in the basketball circle. After all, the Warriors had a brilliant record of three championships in five years between 2015 and 2019, and was once regarded as a benchmark for modern basketball. However, does Cousins' statement stand up to scrutiny? Does the Thunder really have the potential to surpass the Warriors dynasty? The premise of all this is that the Thunder need to win the championship first to embark on the so-called "dynasty".

First, we need to clarify what the "dynasty team" is. In the NBA context, dynasties usually refer to a team that has maintained its top competitiveness for several years and won many championships. For example, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in the 1980s, the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, and the Lakers and Spurs in the early 21st century are all recognized as dynasty teams. The Warriors also met this standard in 2015-2019, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green as the core, creating the "Death Five" system and dominating the league with excellent three-pointers and team basketball. Therefore, comparing a Thunder team that has not yet won the championship with the Warriors Dynasty is itself a bit controversial.

However, Cousins's point of view is not without basis. In recent years, the Thunder have quickly accumulated a large number of talented players through smart drafts and trades. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the most threatening scorers in the league, and young players such as Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have shown great potential. Additionally, the Thunder’s performance in the 2023-2024 season was impressive, with them entering the playoffs as No. 1 in the West and easily defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. The team's chemistry, defensive strength and offensive diversity all reached the top level. If the Thunder can maintain the stability of their core roster and continue to strengthen in the next few years, they do have the potential to become a dynasty team. In contrast, the success of the Warriors dynasty is inseparable from several key factors: one is the core combination of Curry, Thompson and Green; the second is the tactical system of head coach Steve Cole; and the third is the operational ability of the team's management. Although the Thunder's current core lineup is young and talented, it lacks historical superstars like Curry. Although Alexander is outstanding, it remains to be seen whether he can reach Curry's height. In addition, the Warriors' success also depends on their three-point shooting and team basketball philosophy, while the Thunder's playing style is more inclined to a combination of tradition and modernity, and their performance on the defensive end is particularly outstanding. If the Thunder can further optimize the offensive end, especially to improve the stability of the three-pointer, their ceiling will be higher.

Another issue worth discussing is the overall competitive environment of the alliance. When the Warriors rose, the league was at the heyday of the small ball craze, and the competition pattern facing the Thunder is now even more complicated. Teams such as the Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics, and the Dallas Mavericks all have strong lineups and mature systems. It is obviously more difficult for the Thunder to establish a dynasty in such an environment. In addition, the Warriors benefited from Kevin Durant's joining that year, which made them almost invincible in 2017 and 2018. Whether the Thunder can introduce another superstar through trade or free market signing will also directly affect their dynasty potential.

Of course, Cousins' remarks may also be based on optimistic expectations of the Thunder's young core. The combination of Alexander, Homegren and Williams is reminiscent of the Thunder Three Young Masters of that year - Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The Thunder team made it to the 2012 Finals, but failed to establish a dynasty for various reasons. Today's Thunder management obviously hopes to avoid repeating the same mistakes, and they pay more attention to the long-term development of players and the sustainability of the lineup. If these young players can continue to improve, the Thunder's future is indeed unlimited.

However, the establishment of a dynasty was never achieved overnight. After winning the championship in 2015, the Warriors suffered an epic reversal in the finals in 2016. It was not until Durant joined that he truly became an invincible team. The Thunder are still in their infancy and they need to prove that they can go further in the playoffs and even win the championship. Only on this basis can the possibility of dynasty be discussed. Cousins' comparison may be too early, but it also reflects the outside world's expectations for this young team.

From the perspective of fans, the rise of the Thunder has undoubtedly injected new vitality into the NBA. Their style of play is passionate and the growth stories of young players are also very attractive. If the Thunder can win the championship in the next few years and keep the core roster stable, they are all likely to become a stronger dynasty team than the Warriors. But before that, all discussions can only be assumptions. After all, the charm of competitive sports lies in its unpredictability, and only time can give the answer to the Thunder’s future.

In short, although Cousins's point of view is bold, it is not unreasonable. The Thunder have the potential and foundation to be a dynasty team, but they need to cross the threshold of winning the championship first. The comparison with the Warrior Dynasty is more of a discussion of future possibilities than a judgment of existing achievements. In any case, the rise of the Thunder has made the NBA's competitive landscape even more exciting, and their future performance is undoubtedly worthy of all basketball fans' expectations.