Small jest aside, I generally prefer (or at least SAY I prefer) Perfect Basketball Communism with every team being .500 and 30 different champions in 30 years, but there's definitely a certain type of fun in praying for someone - anyone - to topple the titan of the current dynasty, be it the Bulls, Lakers, Warriors, etc.
But the team that's clearly better than everyone else can't be TOO much better than anyone else; KD pulling the arguably most cowardly move in all of sports and signing with the Warriors completely ruined my enjoyment of the NBA because it was a foregone conclusion that they would 3-peat on LeBron's head, barring health. This may sound overly spiteful but I'm glad they couldn't 3-peat even if because of untimely injuries, because it would have felt totally undeserved.
If the Thunder repeat/3-peat, nobody can say it was undeserved because they just built a damn good team and infrastructure (without an ADDITIONAL MVP caliber player falling out of the sky into their laps - fingers crossed lol). They might be a head above everyone else right now, but I don't think they're head-and-shoulders above. Thunder vs Nuggets will be the most likely "true" finals, but hell, even the Lakers or Rockets might have a chance to get exceptionally hot or stifle OKC sufficiently to eke out a series win. It's not super implausible for Cavs to beat them either (or my Knicks if everyone including MRob is healthy which makes me a tad nervous).
All that to say that maybe fans don't always know what they want, maybe dynasties can be fun too as long as it's not another KD-to-the-Warriors situation!
As a Spurs fan, I find myself rooting against the Thunder although I do admire them and their organization as an NBA fan. I think one of the most compelling things for me about the NBA is the sense of narrative that different players and their journeys take on. Dynasties and to a lesser extent teams that stay together, add to this. I think most fans like the idea of homegrown or semi homegrown teams staying together as opposed to say mercenary super teams like the Heatles or Brooklyn. If Boston and had beat the Warriors, not imploded against the Heat and then won again as they did in 2024 would they be the problem? Perhaps but I think that would have just been their journey. There’s also the very real possibility of teams eventually adapting to the Thunder in a way that chips away at their extreme advantages. This might have happened to the Warriors to a greater extent had Durant not joined (although they still would have been great). I might not enjoy watching the Thunder run roughshod over the league in the moment but I’ll enjoy how it adds stakes to the story of the league and lends gravitas to the era they play in.
Yeah, I think the emotional component you’re speaking to is a big part of this. I am dramatically oversimplifying what you’re saying, but fans find hate-watching dynasties quite compelling!
I’m super biased because I grew up in the Bay Area going to Warriors games in the 90s as a kid, but I LOVED the Warriors championship wins. Especially how it connected me to my dad at that time.
Yeah, true fans of the dynastic teams will obviously have a different viewpoint! Probably gives some perspective when the wheel turns and it's another team's time to shine.
Great piece. Love OKC. They could win several more championships this decade. But ... the problem is Jokic. The Nuggets, with Gordon hobbled, took them to seven last year (just like the Pacers) and they are MUCH better this year.
Great basketball is fun to watch. I’m not an OKC supporter but I love to watch them. I think there will be many Thunder vs Spurs playoff battles in the years ahead. Bring it on.
Not fun for me because OKC isn't my team >:(
Small jest aside, I generally prefer (or at least SAY I prefer) Perfect Basketball Communism with every team being .500 and 30 different champions in 30 years, but there's definitely a certain type of fun in praying for someone - anyone - to topple the titan of the current dynasty, be it the Bulls, Lakers, Warriors, etc.
But the team that's clearly better than everyone else can't be TOO much better than anyone else; KD pulling the arguably most cowardly move in all of sports and signing with the Warriors completely ruined my enjoyment of the NBA because it was a foregone conclusion that they would 3-peat on LeBron's head, barring health. This may sound overly spiteful but I'm glad they couldn't 3-peat even if because of untimely injuries, because it would have felt totally undeserved.
If the Thunder repeat/3-peat, nobody can say it was undeserved because they just built a damn good team and infrastructure (without an ADDITIONAL MVP caliber player falling out of the sky into their laps - fingers crossed lol). They might be a head above everyone else right now, but I don't think they're head-and-shoulders above. Thunder vs Nuggets will be the most likely "true" finals, but hell, even the Lakers or Rockets might have a chance to get exceptionally hot or stifle OKC sufficiently to eke out a series win. It's not super implausible for Cavs to beat them either (or my Knicks if everyone including MRob is healthy which makes me a tad nervous).
All that to say that maybe fans don't always know what they want, maybe dynasties can be fun too as long as it's not another KD-to-the-Warriors situation!
True, the Thunder are essentially home-grown (I count SGA in that given how young he was when the trade happened). The narrative definitely matters.
I agree, I probably shouldn't be shoehorning all dynasties in together. But it's an interesting philosophical question. Thanks for the comment!
As a Spurs fan, I find myself rooting against the Thunder although I do admire them and their organization as an NBA fan. I think one of the most compelling things for me about the NBA is the sense of narrative that different players and their journeys take on. Dynasties and to a lesser extent teams that stay together, add to this. I think most fans like the idea of homegrown or semi homegrown teams staying together as opposed to say mercenary super teams like the Heatles or Brooklyn. If Boston and had beat the Warriors, not imploded against the Heat and then won again as they did in 2024 would they be the problem? Perhaps but I think that would have just been their journey. There’s also the very real possibility of teams eventually adapting to the Thunder in a way that chips away at their extreme advantages. This might have happened to the Warriors to a greater extent had Durant not joined (although they still would have been great). I might not enjoy watching the Thunder run roughshod over the league in the moment but I’ll enjoy how it adds stakes to the story of the league and lends gravitas to the era they play in.
Yeah, I think the emotional component you’re speaking to is a big part of this. I am dramatically oversimplifying what you’re saying, but fans find hate-watching dynasties quite compelling!
I’m super biased because I grew up in the Bay Area going to Warriors games in the 90s as a kid, but I LOVED the Warriors championship wins. Especially how it connected me to my dad at that time.
Yeah, true fans of the dynastic teams will obviously have a different viewpoint! Probably gives some perspective when the wheel turns and it's another team's time to shine.
Totally. I really like OKC and it’s fun to follow them, even if to see who can beat them (the Blazers!?!).
Love the Thunder love! Great piece
Thanks! It’s something I’ve been thinking and worrying about a lot ha
Well said!!
Great piece. Love OKC. They could win several more championships this decade. But ... the problem is Jokic. The Nuggets, with Gordon hobbled, took them to seven last year (just like the Pacers) and they are MUCH better this year.
Great basketball is fun to watch. I’m not an OKC supporter but I love to watch them. I think there will be many Thunder vs Spurs playoff battles in the years ahead. Bring it on.
I'm generally in that boat, too. Let's hope everyone (cough, Wemby, cough) stays healthy!