Considering they rose from Play-In Tournament participant to NBA Champions in a span of only three seasons, many may see this OKC Thunder team as having come out of nowhere.
However, for the franchise's faithful followers, it's well understood that this ascension was a long time coming.
During a recent edition of The Ringer's new Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, Paul echoed this very sentiment, noting that even before taking home the 2025 Larry O'Brien Trophy, Oklahoma City had already established itself as a championship franchise.
"The Oklahoma City Thunder, prior to winning a championship, if you were to ask me, 'Is this a championship organization?