Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder face overlooked challenge: Can their culture withstand rising star ambitions?
The Oklahoma City Thunder look like the NBA's model rebuild. They've got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a bona fide MVP candidate, a roster stacked with versatile young talent, and more draft capital than anyone else in the league. Every box is checked: wins today, flexibility tomorrow, and a culture that seems almost bulletproof.But in the NBA, perfection rarely lasts untouched. Oklahoma City's greatest strength-its unity-might eventually be the thing that gets tested the hardest. For now, the team lives and breathes the same philosophy: play hard, play together, keep the noise out. What happens, though, when their young stars begin to outgrow the "just hoop" mentality?NBA champion Chet Holmgren gets roasted for bizarre outfit worn at OKC Thunder teammate's weddingWosny Lambre put it bluntly on The Ringer NBA Show: players evolve. What feels like a perfect setup for a 22-year-old isn't always […]