In early July, Kevin Durant looked back on his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder during an appearance on the Mind the Game podcast, hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash. Durant highlighted how the organization, still relatively new after relocating just four years earlier, wasn’t fully prepared to manage a young squad loaded with elite talent such as himself, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.
Durant explained that the rapid success of the team accelerated the organization‘s development faster than expected, placing the Thunder, a fresh franchise, into a difficult position. This swift timeline, he said, made it challenging for the front office to navigate containing three MVP-level players at once.
The Challenges of Managing a Rapidly Rising Contender
During that period, the Thunder consistently impressed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. Durant noted how the team “exceeded expectations,” reaching the NBA Finals in a short timeframe. He suggested this quick ascent caught the team’s management off guard, stating,
“I think we exceeded expectations with that team, And when you reach the Finals and you go through a run like that so quick, I don’t think a GM or an owner was ready for that.”
—Kevin Durant, NBA Superstar
This era saw significant talent on the roster, but the decision to let James Harden leave remains controversial. Although the move might have seemed reasonable at the time for the Thunder’s front office, in hindsight, investing more to retain Harden could have been beneficial for sustaining the team’s momentum.
Impact of Harden’s Departure on Oklahoma City’s Future
Harden’s trade to the Houston Rockets altered the composition of the Thunder and the trajectory of their development. Durant pointed out the difficulties the team faced in trying to continue improving without one of its pivotal players. He admitted uncertainty about the Thunder’s long-term plans after Harden’s exit, sharing,
“We exceeded the timeline, so they wasn’t ready for that… That’s just my theory. I don’t know exactly what Sam [Presti] was thinking or the owner, but my theory is I don’t think they were ready exactly for us to be contenders every year.”
—Kevin Durant, NBA Superstar
Despite these challenges, Oklahoma City managed to return to the Western Conference Finals a few years later but fell short against the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic series where the Warriors staged a comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Shortly after, Durant himself moved to Golden State, further shifting the NBA landscape.
Durant’s Experience and Leadership Poised to Elevate Houston Rockets
Reflecting on his time with the Thunder, Durant credits the experience with shaping his growth as a player and leader. Now a two-time NBA champion, he brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his new role with the Houston Rockets. Surrounded by promising young talent like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Reed Sheppard, Durant is expected to provide the veteran presence necessary to push the Rockets beyond the first round, where their previous season ended.
This blend of experience and youthful potential creates optimism around Houston’s title aspirations as Durant prepares to spearhead their campaign in a competitive league environment.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Kevin Durant ever scored 50?
A. Kevin Durant has scored over 50 points in nine different games.