No one can deny that Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and his iteration of the Thunder in 2024-25 are the greatest OKC team ever assembled. ‘Don’t mean a thing without the ring’ seems to have become Jalen Williams’ motto as he stood up on social media for his Thunder squad, taking on a fan.
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The Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era of OKC, from 2008 to 2016, was special. Perhaps, it remains more iconic to some fans than the one that actually won the ultimate prize. KD, Russ, and James Harden were all drafted by the Supersonics/Thunder, unlike SGA, who they acquired via trade before his sophomore season in 2019.
This could be a factor why fans still prefer the old Thunder over the new. It should also be noted that the early 2010s Thunder faced off against a slew of opponents in the Playoffs that could be considered ‘more iconic’. Hall-of-Famers such as Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and, of course, LeBron James, stood in their path.
Taking in these factors, a fan said, “Your big 3 won but they won our hearts,” to Jalen Williams after he commented under a TikTok video that reminisced about the OG Thunder big 3.
In response, J-Dub said, “I rather the ring.” It’s clear that Williams has had enough of the constant comparisons between the two teams.
Nostalgia got some of ya hooked lol pic.twitter.com/AUQ1rt15pe
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 9, 2025
While this comes as a bit stone-cold, it’s almost guaranteed that this wasn’t a shot at KD and the rest of those guys. Jalen simply wants it to be known that he is wholeheartedly proud of his team’s accomplishment.
SGA has also shown love to the legends who came before him. After breaking the Thunder record for having the most 30+ point games in a single season, which was previously held by Durant, he said, “Obviously [Kevin has] done some amazing things here in his career. To be in those conversations is an honor and blessing.”
The Thunder days are special for Durant as well. Despite the booing from fans stemming from his infamous 2016 decision to join the Warriors, he looks at his time in OKC quite fondly. “I’m happy I had that time there. It was a great place, the best place for me at that time.”
