Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Surpass Kevin Durant as the Greatest Player in Thunder History?…see more…
In the wake of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s (SGA) historic 2024–25 NBA season—one capped off with an MVP, Scoring Title, Western Conference Finals MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and a championship—the question now reverberating through the basketball world, particularly in Oklahoma City, is as bold as it is unavoidable: Has SGA officially surpassed Kevin Durant as the greatest player in Oklahoma City Thunder history?
This isn’t merely about comparing stats or rings—it’s about legacy, loyalty, leadership, and impact. Durant put Oklahoma City on the basketball map. SGA might just be carving out something even bigger: a dynasty built from the ground up, with no shortcuts and no betrayals.
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Durant’s Thunder Reign: Greatness With a Caveat
To begin any such conversation, we must acknowledge Kevin Durant’s monumental place in Thunder lore. Drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007 (before the franchise moved to OKC), Durant instantly became the face of the team when they relocated. Over the course of his nine seasons in Oklahoma City, Durant built a Hall-of-Fame résumé:
MVP in 2014
Four scoring titles
Six All-NBA selections (including five First Teams)
Seven All-Star appearances
An NBA Finals appearance in 2012
Durant was, simply put, one of the most unstoppable scorers in NBA history. His partnership with Russell Westbrook and later James Harden gave the Thunder their most explosive years, culminating in a Finals trip and several deep playoff runs.
But Durant’s legacy in Oklahoma City was forever altered when he left in the summer of 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors—a team that had just defeated OKC in the Western Conference Finals. To many fans, it wasn’t just a departure; it was a betrayal. His subsequent championships in Golden State were often seen as tainted by the ease with which they were won.
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The Rise of SGA: Loyalty and Legacy
Enter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Acquired in the blockbuster 2019 trade that sent Paul George to the Clippers, SGA arrived as a promising young guard. Few could have predicted just how meteoric his rise would be.
In the 2024–25 season, he became the first player in NBA history to win:
League MVP
Scoring Champion
Western Conference Finals MVP
NBA Finals MVP
NBA Champion
And he did it all while leading a team of young, homegrown talent—Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey—without chasing a superteam or forcing his way into a major market.
SGA’s brand of leadership—humble, determined, and relentlessly focused—has captured not just Thunder fans, but NBA fans around the world. Where Durant’s journey felt interrupted by an unfulfilled promise, Shai’s story feels like a new era being authored in real-time.
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Loyalty as a Defining Factor
There’s no denying that Durant was statistically and stylistically electric in Oklahoma City. But legacy isn’t only defined by numbers; it’s shaped by moments, choices, and the stories players leave behind.
Durant left OKC. SGA chose to stay.
In the modern NBA, where superstars frequently demand trades or leap toward title-ready destinations, Shai’s commitment to Oklahoma City feels almost revolutionary. He didn’t just believe in the Thunder’s rebuild—he became the engine that drove it.
As Thunder GM Sam Presti methodically stockpiled draft picks and developed youth, Gilgeous-Alexander bloomed into a megastar without ever demanding shortcuts or headline-grabbing partnerships. He built his legacy in the same city that once watched Durant walk away.
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Comparing the Numbers
Let’s look at some side-by-side comparisons:
Category Kevin Durant (OKC) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (to date)
Seasons 9 6
Points per game 27.4 24.3
Assists per game 3.7 5.6
Rebounds per game 7.0 4.9
MVP Awards (in OKC) 1 1
Championships (OKC) 0 1
Finals Appearances 1 1
Shai’s numbers might not yet match Durant’s in sheer scoring volume, but his efficiency, versatility, and impact as a two-way player make the case compelling. Add in the championship and the leadership mantle he carries, and it becomes more than a debate of stats—it becomes a question of meaning.
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The Fans’ Perspective
Among Thunder fans, the divide is generational. Older fans who lived through the Durant era still hold a reverent respect for his contributions—after all, he helped establish OKC as a legitimate basketball city. But for younger fans or those still stung by his exit, SGA’s loyalty and gradual ascension are winning hearts.
One longtime Thunder season ticket holder put it this way:
“KD gave us fireworks. Shai gave us roots.”
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Verdict: Who’s the G.O.A.T. in OKC?
So, who holds the title as the greatest Thunder player of all time?
If we’re speaking purely in terms of skill and dominance, Durant still casts a long shadow. But greatness in sports is rarely just about the box score—it’s about impact, identity, and inspiration. In that regard, SGA has not only matched Durant—he may have surpassed him.
He brought OKC its first title. He stayed loyal. He grew with the team. And now, as he enters the prime of his career, the Thunder are poised for continued dominance in a league that once dismissed small-market franchises.
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The Thunder’s Future Is Now
With a young core, an MVP-caliber leader, and championship experience under their belt, the Thunder are no longer underdogs—they’re contenders. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands at the forefront, not just as the face of the franchise, but possibly as the greatest player it has ever known.
The debate will rage on, but one thing is certain: Oklahoma City has never seen a star quite like SGA—and they might never again.
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Social Caption:
📈 From promising trade asset to NBA Champion, SGA’s journey has redefined greatness in OKC. Has he officially passed Kevin Durant as the best player in Thunder history? 🏀🔥 #ThunderUp #NBA #SGAvsKD
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