National Basketball Association

OKC Thunder: How the (Old) Warriors are OKC's Recipe for Success

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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It’s crazy to think that the OKC Thunder would ever consider studying Warriors tape extensively…but that’s exactly what they should do.

Typing these words hurt. But the truth is the truth. The OKC Thunder wont succeed this season unless they copy the (old) Warriors blueprint.

As much hate as they get, the Warriors are an absolutely INCREDIBLE basketball organization. They make all the right moves. GM Bob Meyers assembled a team that would play together; everyone had/has their specific role.

Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Confetti surrounds the stage during the Golden State Warriors 2015 championship celebration at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Think about it. Golden State became Golden State when Steve Kerr came into the fold and the team had a few years of experience playing together. The 2014-2015 version of the GSW (the champs) only added two key pieces that offseason: Leandro Barbosa and Shaun Livingston. Those two were the perfect compliments for the rest of the roster, and beautiful basketball ensued.

Now flip back to the OKC Thunder. They don’t have the pure talent to contend for a championship this season. Sam Presti has assembled a roster filled with players who have a specific role, but they are still missing a few pieces.

This is not the season that the Thunder will contend for a championship. Instead, this season should be solely focused on growing as a team and making the playoffs. The Warriors did that in 2013-2014 and gained really important postseason experience at the sixth seed (the same area the Thunder are projected). Curry was 26, Draymond was 24, Klay was 24.

Westbrook is 27, Adams is 23, Oladipo is 24. Nowwwwwwwwww I have you.

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The only true difference between the 2013-2014 Warriors and the 2016-2017 Thunder are the styles of play. While the Warriors built themselves around the three-point line, the Thunder have collected athletes. The only way to win in the NBA is to be one step ahead of the competitors.

Golden State did this by drafting Curry and Thompson where/when they did. Three-point shooting was on the rise in the NBA, but it hadn’t exploded just yet. The Warriors helped bring upon that change because teams saw the success they were having. Now it seems like every team in the NBA is emphasizing that skill. Well, everyone except the Thunder.

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Presti and Billy Donovan realize they need to break away from that trend if they want to win a title with Russell Westbrook. So they built around his best asset, much like the Warriors did with Curry.

The next move for Presti is bringing in the impact veteran. Ronnie Price and Nick Collison are awesome locker room guys, but you can’t trust them on the court in crunch time. They need to find someone at Iguodala’s experience AND skill level.

It pains me to say that the Warriors should be the Thunder’s blueprint. At the same time, there’s a reason why Golden State is where they are.

Thunder fans, don’t be disappointed when the team doesn’t go as far as you were hoping. This year isn’t the end goal. But next year? With the right additions and a good foundation instilled this season, the possibility for a banner in OKC in 2018 is there.

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