Dwyane Wade believes Westbrook is still the OKC GOAT despite Shai's historic season: "We are talking about a player who went and did something, and people said it will never be done again"
Dwyane Wade believes Westbrook is still the OKC GOAT despite Shai's historic season: "We are talking about a player who went and did something, and people said it will never be done again" originally appeared on Basketball Network.
We're just days removed from watching the Oklahoma City Thunder climb the NBA's mountaintop for the first time in franchise history. A young, hungry squad led by a calm killer who turned the entire league into his playground for eight straight months. If it wasn't one of the greatest individual seasons of all time, then it was easily one of the best we've seen in recent memory.
Advertisement
Oh, to be completely honest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't just lead — he dominated. He took home the scoring title, started in the All-Star Game, was All-NBA First Team, and ran through the Playoffs like a seasoned vet. He bagged Western Conference Finals MVP, followed it up with Finals MVP, and just for good measure, he added the league MVP to the trophy case. Then he topped it all off with a ring. That run right there doesn't happen often.
So it's no surprise the "Shai-for-Thunder-GOAT" conversations have hit another gear. It's only been six seasons, but with everything he just pulled off, fans are starting to wonder if we've already seen the best to ever do it in an OKC jersey.
But not everyone's ready to give him that crown. Dwyane Wade, a guy who knows a thing or two about being the legend of the franchise, still sees Russell Westbrook at the top of that list.
Advertisement
"To me, I still think that Russell Westbrook is the best player in Oklahoma City history. Right now… Doesn't mean he is going to end up that way, but to me, I still believe that," Wade said in his recent breakdown after the 2025 Finals.
"You can tell me now that a player can come to Miami, win a regular season MVP, win a Finals, a Finals MVP and he just becomes the greatest player in Miami history like that," he added.
Westbrook embodied the OKC spirit for over a decade
D-Wade's argument isn't only nostalgia talking; it's about the whole body of work for over a decade. When he looks at Russ, he sees a guy who gave everything to that franchise, a walking highlight reel who never cheated the game.
Advertisement
Westbrook won MVP in 2017 and made eight All-NBA teams and eight All-Star appearances during his 11 seasons with the Thunder. And, of course — he averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons in OKC, something most of us thought was impossible in this era.
"Wait a minute. We are talking about a player who went and did something (average a triple-double), and people said it will never be done again. He did it four times," the Miami Heat legend argued.
Sure, he didn't bring the Larry O'Brien title home. And yes, the team never made it back to the Finals after Kevin Durant left. But in terms of doing the heavy lifting night after night, carrying rosters, setting the tone and building a brand of basketball that was all heart, nobody embodied Oklahoma City more than Russ did.
Related: "We only needed one more guy" - Patrick Beverley says the Clippers lost SGA because Kawhi thought he needed more help
The narrative could shift soon
The Thunder have something real on their hands. A young core, a winning culture and a new face of the franchise who's already accomplished what Russ couldn't — and he's only entering his best career years.
Advertisement
If the Thunder runs it back and Shai keeps performing at this level, the conversation is going to shift fast. Because when you start stacking rings on top of MVPs, Finals MVPs, and everything else he just pulled off, that's when legacy talk gets real.
Westbrook's impact in OKC will always be legendary, and there is no doubt about it. But if SGA keeps leading this franchise like he did in 2025, not even Wade might be able to keep Russ at the top of that mountain.
Related: Montrezl Harrell says Clippers gave up too soon on Shai: "All you had to do is let the kid develop"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
30 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Wimbledon 2025: Coco Gauff is just 21 but already thinking about what to do after tennis
LONDON (AP) — To be clear, Coco Gauff didn't bring up the word 'star' during a recent interview with The Associated Press; the reporter did. So as Gauff began to answer a question about balancing her life as a professional athlete with her off-court interests, she caught herself repeating that term. 'I definitely didn't know how it would look like,' she began with a smile, 'before I got to be, I guess, a star — feels weird to call myself that — but I definitely did want to expand outside of tennis. Always. Since I was young.' She still is young, by just about any measure, and she is a really good tennis player — Gauff owns the Grand Slam titles and No. 2 ranking to prove it as she heads into Wimbledon, which begins Monday — but the 21-year-old American is also more than that. Someone unafraid to express her opinions about societal issues. Someone who connects with fans via social media. Someone who is the highest-paid female athlete in any sport, topping $30 million last year, according to with less than a third of that from prize money and most via deals with companies such as UPS, New Balance, Rolex and Barilla. Someone who recently launched her own management firm. And someone who wants to succeed in the business world long after she no longer swings a racket on tour. 'It's definitely something that I want to start to step up for post-career. Kind of start building that process, which is why I wanted to do it early. Because I didn't want to feel like I was playing catch-up at the end of my career,' said Gauff, who will face Dayana Yastremska in the first round at the All England Club on Tuesday. 'On the business side of things, it doesn't come as natural as tennis feels. I'm still learning, and I have a lot to learn about,' Gauff said. 'I've debated different things and what paths I wanted to take when it came to just stimulating my brain outside of the court, because I always knew that once I finished high school that I needed to put my brain into something else.' In a campaign announced this week by UPS, which first partnered with Gauff in 2023 before she won that year's U.S. Open, she connects with business coach Emma Grede — known for working with Kim Kardashian on Skims, and with Khloe Kardashian on Good American — to offer mentoring to three small-business owners. 'Coco plays a key role in helping us connect with those younger Gen-Z business owners — emerging or younger entrepreneurs,' Betsy Wilson, VP of digital marketing and brand activation at UPS, said in a phone interview. 'Obviously, she's very relevant in social media and in culture, and working with Coco helps us really connect with that younger group.' While Grede helped the entrepreneurs, Gauff also got the opportunity to pick up tips. 'It's really cool to learn from someone like her,' Gauff said. 'Whenever I feel like I'm ready to make that leap, I can definitely reach out to her for advice and things like that. ... This will help me right now and definitely in the long term.' ___ Howard Fendrich has been the AP's tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: More AP tennis:
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shohei Ohtani's pitching return sees insane 71% ticket prices jump
The post Shohei Ohtani's pitching return sees insane 71% ticket prices jump appeared first on ClutchPoints. On a wild Sunday in Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers made waves by revealing Shohei Ohtani would make his return to the mound on Monday night. Advertisement Ohtani will make his first start since August 23, 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. It'll be the first time he takes the mound as a member of the Dodgers and ticket prices are reflecting that. The average ticket price for Monday's Dodgers game against the San Diego Padres is $192, up 71% since it was announced, according to ESPN's Field Yates. Yates also says, per TickPick, the Dodgers sold four-times more tickets to the game compared to before. Though the Dodgers say Ohtani is not yet built up to be a full starter, he can function now as a multi-inning opener and go from there. He has been recovering from UCL surgery, functioning as a full-time DH last year and so far this year. Ohtani has been building up without pitching in rehab games, continuing to bat in the Majors for the reigning World Series champions. He began facing live batters in late May as his ramp-up accelerated. Advertisement 'The live, simulated or whatever sort of ran its course,' manager Dave Roberts told the media on Sunday. 'He's ready to make his debut on the mound.' Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani remains one of the game's elite hitters Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Ohtani is coming off consecutive MVP campaigns, which included a 2024 season that was one of the best all-around seasons by a hitter ever. He became the only 50-50 player in baseball history, hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases, all while leading the league in runs scored, RBI, on-base percentage and OPS. He hasn't missed a beat in 2025. Ohtani hasn't been as active on the basepaths with only 11 steals, but he's leading the National League in home runs (25) while maintaining his league-leading status in runs scored and OPS. Advertisement Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Ohtani expressed excitement about going back to being a two-way player. 'I do feel like just being the two-way player I used to be is the norm,' he said. 'Last year was the abnormal year for me, and it's about getting back to what I used to do.' Related: The big change Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani declined before first 2025 pitching start Related: Dodgers' Blake Snell takes another step toward injury return
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Christian Pulisic Breaks Silence After USMNT Decision
Christian Pulisic Breaks Silence After USMNT Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Wednesday marked exactly one year until the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Advertisement On Tuesday night, the United States Men's National Team suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Switzerland in the send-off match before the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup — the final major tournament before the World Cup begins. USMNT captain Christian Pulisic watched the four-goal defeat from home. He opted to sit out the Gold Cup this summer so he could get extra rest after a long season for AC Milan, a decision that brought plenty of criticism his way. In his first public interview about his summer plans, Pulisic revealed that if he had his way, he would have been playing against Switzerland on Tuesday. United States Men's National Team forward Christian Pulisic (left) and USMNT head coach Mauricio Kamin-Oncea, Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images "I did want to be a part of at least the two friendlies," Pulisic said in an interview with former USMNT players Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and Tony Meola on Thursday. "I did speak with the coaches and I asked. I wanted to be part of the team in whatever capacity I could. Advertisement "They said no," Pulisic revealed of head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his national team staff. "They said they only wanted one roster and that's coach's decision. I fully respect that. I didn't understand it, but it is what it is.' Pulisic, who has 32 goals and 18 assists in 76 appearances for the national team, emphasized that resting this summer was the best decision for him and the team in the long term, with an eye toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The 26-year-old spoke about several topics during the lengthy interview, including his response to the criticism about commitment from USMNT legend Landon Donovan, which Pulisic's dad called out on social media. "Some of these guys were my idols; I respect them so much as players," Pulisic admitted. "It's tough especially when privately the way they talk to me and want to show support and be your friend and everything, and then it goes and they say something slightly different publicly." Advertisement USMNT's first game of the Gold Cup is on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET against Trinidad and Tobago on Fox. The World Cup kicks off in 364 days. Related: Christian Pulisic's Girlfriend Sends Clear Message Amid USMNT Absence Related: Christian Pulisic Turns Heads with Reaction to Criticism Amid USMNT Absence This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
