Dislike of the Thunder seems to be directly proportional to how much it wins.
And Oklahoma City has already won the NBA’s biggest prize.
That the Thunder is in possession of the latest Larry O’Brien Trophy means fans around the NBA have varying degrees of loathing for the Thunder. Some are just slightly miffed about this fast-rising, still-youthful bunch of champs. Others have more bad blood.
Here are three things non-Thunder fans loathe about the Thunder:
Order book on Thunder’s run to NBA championship
1. SGA’s ‘free-throw merchant’ label
That, of course, is the nickname that fans around the NBA have given to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Chanted at him, too.
Even though the numbers don’t back up their charges — the Thunder superstar shot the second-most free throws in the league last season, but he has also led the NBA in drives to the rim for the past half-decade, so he’s going to get fouled — that hasn’t stopped the animosity.
A lot of it has to do with appearances.
SGA can contort his body in ways that are unique even in the NBA. It means he can look like a character from the “Matrix,” drawing defenders to him, creating contact, then lurching away to make space for a shot. It can be extremely difficult for even the best defenders in the league to guard.
It leads to fouls.
And even complaints from opposing coaches and players.
When Gilgeous-Alexander exaggerates the contact — just like every elite player in the league does — it only increases the vitriol. But it’s hard to imagine him changing his style anytime soon; all it did was help the Thunder win a title last season and earn him both the MVP and NBA Finals MVP awards.
2. Thunder’s physical style of play
Ironically, one of the things Thunder fans love most about this team is one of the things that gets under the skin of non-fans.
The Thunder is extremely physical on defense, especially on the perimeter. Defenders will dive on the floor, body up opponents and deflect passes, creating contact in the process.
Does the Thunder foul?
Sure.
But non-Thunder fans believe it fouls more often than the referees blow their whistles. Pair that with Gilgeous-Alexander going to the free-throw line a lot, and it causes blood to boil even hotter.
3. Thunder’s wealth of NBA Draft assets
Usually when a team wins a title in the NBA, it taps out its resources.
Not the Thunder.
The Thunder has an NBA title and 13 potential first-round and 16 future second-round draft picks through 2032. That gives the franchise flexibility to continue building with young talent or to package those picks in trades to bring in pieces that might be missing.
Add in the facts that the Thunder has a big three signed through the 2030-31 season and all of them are still so young — SGA is the old man in the three at 27 — and it looks like OKC potentially has all the ingredients to not only defend its title but also build a dynasty.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder hate among NBA fans outside OKC is rooted in silly reasons
