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Regardless of being lower than 20 years outdated, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a good quantity of illustration within the much-anticipated launch of the USA TODAY High 75 NBA Gamers of All Time listing.
5 former Thunder gamers and two former Seattle Supersonics had been listed on this rating to honor the upcoming seventy fifth season of NBA basketball.
Russell Westbrook and James Harden ended up tied. Kevin Durant received into the top-15. Two different gamers who spent much less time in OKC however are surefire Corridor of Famers made the listing. And Ray Allen and Gary Payton offered glory to Seattle.
Listed here are the seven gamers in franchise historical past to make the listing.
No. 62: Carmelo Anthony (tie)
With 27,370 profession factors, Carmelo Anthony is 40 away from passing Moses Malone and 1,227 away from passing Shaquille O’Neal. If he supplants each, he would finish his profession because the eighth-leading scorer in NBA historical past.
From USA TODAY:
“All through his profession, Anthony — one other star of the 2003 draft class — was a bucket-getter.”
Ray Allen: 49
Getting into this season, Ray Allen has made essentially the most 3-pointers in NBA historical past. Over his 18 seasons, he made his 2,973 at a 40% clip. Probably the most well-known of all his photographs helped save the Miami Warmth in Recreation 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals and ultimately win in seven.
From USA TODAY:
“Allen helped usher on this period of 3-point capturing and he is without doubt one of the finest to shoot it from lengthy vary.”
No. 46: Gary Payton
No person made extra All-NBA Defensive First Groups than Gary Payton. The Glove’s 9 is tied for essentially the most in historical past alongside Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Michael Jordan.
From USA TODAY:
“Payton actually earned his popularity for trash discuss throughout his 17-year profession, however he had the sport to again it up as one of many NBA’s nice all-around level guards.”
No. 40 (tie) James Harden
His Oklahoma Metropolis stint was too short-lived. Harden blossomed from the league’s finest Sixth Man right into a perennial MVP candidate, altering the way in which the sport is performed and turning into one of many biggest scorers within the technology within the course of.
From USA TODAY:
“Harden helped usher within the trendy period of 3-point capturing, and now with Brooklyn, he enters his thirteenth season fifth all-time in 3s made with 2,445.”
No. 40 (tie) Russell Westbrook
The Brodie. The mark for many triple-doubles in a profession not belongs to Oscar Robertson. Russell Westbrook made is so regular, we don’t even bat an eye fixed about him averaging triple-doubles for total seasons anymore.
From USA TODAY:
“Scoring, rebounding and passing at a Corridor of Fame price, Westbrook performs a technique: all out.”
No. 38: Chris Paul
Elite on each ends of the court docket, Chris Paul made his mark on Oklahoma Metropolis with only one yr on the crew. USA TODAY put it finest:
“Paul’s greatness just isn’t measured by the variety of NBA titles he has received (zero). As a substitute, it’s measured in his fifth-place standing on the NBA’s all-time assists listing (10,275). Or how he made the New Orleans Hornets (2005-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19), Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2019-20) and Phoenix Suns (2020-21) playoff contenders as quickly as he joined them.”
Kevin Durant: 13
Even when Kevin Durant hadn’t come again robust from his torn Achilles, he would go down as one of many biggest gamers of all time. However he got here again dominant and virtually compelled the Brooklyn Nets into the NBA Finals with out his co-stars taking part in even near full power.
If he can win a title, he could obtain a distinction that he has been unable to obtain consensus on regardless of ample room for argument: one of the best participant within the league.
From USA TODAY:
“What may have been doable with out Durant turned inevitable with him. Durant led the Warriors to 2 NBA titles with two Finals MVP performances due to his mastered footwork, mid-range sport and size.”
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