LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Small market teams like the OKC Thunder face an uphill battle comparative to their large market counterparts. Although that dynamic has always existed the Thunder avoided many of the typical pitfalls through the initial dozen years of the franchise. Yet, this past season drove home precisely how much harder it is for teams like the Thunder to sustain competitive success.
Credit Sam Presti and his front office who drafted three generational talents from the onset with each eventually becoming a regular-season MVP.