On June 5, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder will compete in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, marking a milestone since former star Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors. Leading this charge is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, whose performance has renewed hopes that the Thunder can clinch the championship against the winner of the Pacers-Knicks series.
Kendrick Perkins Weighs in on Gilgeous-Alexander’s Emerging Legacy
As excitement around the Finals intensifies, former Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, who shared the court with Kevin Durant during the 2012 Finals run, has voiced his views on Gilgeous-Alexander’s growing impact. When asked how he would view SGA if he leads the Thunder to a title this season, Perkins boldly stated,
Two things, number one, he will be the greatest Thunder ever! Yes, past Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
—Kendrick Perkins, Former Thunder Player
Perkins emphasized Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable consistency, highlighting that the Canadian star has averaged over 30 points per game for three straight seasons while maintaining a shooting percentage above 50% from the field.
Historical Comparisons Highlight Gilgeous-Alexander’s Unique Achievements
Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2025 season has drawn comparisons with some of the game’s greatest. He is the first MVP since Stephen Curry to lead his team to the NBA Finals in the same year. Should the Thunder capture the championship, SGA could become the first player since LeBron James to win both the regular-season MVP and the Finals MVP titles within a single season.
Perkins insists this would solidify the narrative many have held for some time: Gilgeous-Alexander has performed at a level reserved for true superstars. He believes securing the title would officially recognize SGA’s elite status.
Secondly, he would get his superstar jacket and sit at the table with LeBron James, Jokic, Steph, KD, and Giannis,
Enter in that room of being a legit superstar because he has checked all the boxes, and there’s nothing else for him to do but add to his legacy.
—Kendrick Perkins, Former Thunder Player
Contextualizing Kevin Durant’s Legacy Compared to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Rise
While Perkins’s comments may sound audacious given his reputation for bold statements, an objective assessment shows some validity to his claims. Durant earned the NBA MVP title two years before leading the Thunder to the Finals, where he, alongside teammates Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden, defeated Dallas, the Lakers, and San Antonio. Despite those victories, their journey ended against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Among Oklahoma City fans, Durant is often viewed as a
“homegrown superstar who ultimately fell short.”
His inability to overcome LeBron and the Heat in 2012 still lingers in memories, especially with the Thunder now poised to win a championship after his departure. Many local supporters also harbor lingering disappointment over Durant leaving for the Warriors, which adds complexity to current comparisons.
Potential Shift in OKC’s Greatest Player Conversation
If Gilgeous-Alexander leads this Thunder team to NBA glory, it is unlikely many fans in Oklahoma City will dispute placing him above Durant in their all-time franchise rankings. His unique blend of scoring, efficiency, and leadership has already set him apart, and a championship victory would only deepen SGA’s imprint on the team’s history.
This season represents more than just a title run for the Thunder; it could reshape how the franchise’s greatest players are viewed for years to come, with Gilgeous-Alexander firmly in the conversation as OKC’s new all-time star.