The Oklahoma City Thunder have made it back to the NBA Finals, and for the first time in over a decade, they’re a legitimate powerhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just bagged the MVP with a surgical, two-way season, Jalen Williams blossomed into a two-way All-Star, and Chet Holmgren has quietly anchored a top-tier defense as a young center who doesn’t play like one.
Naturally, as OKC’s young core surges toward what fans hope is the franchise’s first-ever title, the comparisons to the iconic 2012 Thunder squad have become unavoidable. That team was a supernova of raw, explosive talent, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, all under 24, all destined for superstardom, all charging through the Western Conference until they ran into LeBron’s Heat in the Finals.
But here’s the real question: if the 2012 and 2025 Thunder teams squared off in a 7-game series, who’s walking away? The flash of Durant, Russ, and Beard? Or the composure, balance, and defensive discipline of Shai, J-Dub, and Chet? Let’s find out.
Russell Westbrook vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
This is the headliner. Prime Russell Westbrook in 2012 wasn’t yet the triple-double machine he’d become, but he was a walking explosion. He averaged 23.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 1.7 SPG during the regular season and torched defenses with sheer speed, power, and fury. His decision-making wasn’t always clean, but Westbrook in 2012 was fearless, aggressive, and physically unmatched at the point guard spot.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, is the surgical assassin. In 2025, he won MVP by putting up 32.7 PPG, 6.4 APG, 5.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG, while leading OKC to the No. 1 seed. He’s patient, devastating in the mid-range, elite at getting to the line, and a vastly improved defender. Where Russ attacked with chaos, Shai operates with cold-blooded control.
Overall, Shai’s efficiency, composure, and two-way dominance give him the edge in a series, especially in late-game situations where Russ was historically volatile.
James Harden vs. Luguentz Dort
This is your purest stylistic contrast. In 2012, James Harden was the ultimate sixth man*,* crafty, clutch, and deadly off the pick-and-roll. He averaged 16.8 PPG, shot 39% from three, and closed games with Durant and Westbrook. He was the X-factor that made that team so dangerous.
Lu Dort, meanwhile, is the grit on this 2025 squad. He’s not going to match Harden’s scoring output, but he’s an elite perimeter defender, built like a tank and capable of bothering even elite scorers. He shot 41.2% from deep this year and has become a reliable 3-and-D threat.
As much as Dort’s defense matters, Harden in 2012 was already a future star. His offense would bend OKC’s defense far more than Dort’s defense would neutralize him over seven games.
Kevin Durant vs. Jalen Williams
In 2012, Kevin Durant was 23 years old, a three-time scoring champ, and averaged 28.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.5 APG while shooting a ridiculous 49.6% from the field and 38.7% from three. He was already one of the five best players in the world and a nearly impossible cover.
Jalen Williams, though, has been OKC’s breakout star in 2025. He made his first All-Star team, averaging 21.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, playing elite defense, and developing into a complete wing who can handle, shoot, and guard 1 through 4. His poise is beyond his years.
Jaylen is rising fast but this is Kevin Durant in his athletic prime. J-Dub would battle, but KD’s offensive bag is simply deeper, longer, and deadlier.
Serge Ibaka vs. Chet Holmgren
In 2012, Serge Ibaka led the league in blocks (3.7 per game) and was a vertical threat on offense. He was limited in terms of floor spacing and passing, but as a rim protector and shot deterrent, he was as elite as it gets.
Chet Holmgren, in his second season, has been the modern-day Ibaka 2.0. He averaged 15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG, and shot 37.9% from three. He stretches the floor, makes smart passes, and can protect the rim and defend on the perimeter.
Chet gives you 80% of Ibaka’s rim protection plus offensive versatility that Serge never had. In a 7-game series, Holmgren’s floor-spacing and switchability would be a problem.
Kendrick Perkins vs. Isaiah Hartenstein
In 2012, Kendrick Perkins gave the Thunder pure vibes. That’s it. He averaged 5.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, was slow-footed, and was already a defensive liability in space. His screens were solid, and he barked a lot, but that’s where it ends.
Isaiah Hartenstein is a major upgrade, averaging 11.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.1 BPG, and bringing real passing touch, toughness, and mobility. He’s a connector on offense and a smart drop defender. Overall, Hartenstein is a modern big who can hang in any lineup. Perkins would get played off the floor in this era.
2012 Thunder Advantages
The 2012 Thunder had three future MVP-caliber players, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, on one roster. That kind of top-end talent is rare, even by today’s standards. Durant was already a three-time scoring champ, Westbrook was arguably the league’s most explosive point guard, and Harden was the best sixth man in basketball. They thrived on shot creation and athleticism, capable of overwhelming teams with furious 10-0 runs in under a minute. In a tight series, they could always rely on isolation brilliance and individual firepower, something that wins playoff games when the system breaks down.
2025 Thunder Advantages
The 2025 Thunder are a more complete basketball team. Their defense is elite across all five positions, and they have unmatched synergy, patience, and discipline, especially on offense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a clutch two-way superstar, Jalen Williams has blossomed into a cerebral All-Star, and Chet Holmgren stretches the floor while anchoring the paint. This team doesn’t need to out-talent you; they out-execute you. They know who they are, they trust one another, and they’re built for the modern pace-and-space, switch-heavy, analytics-savvy era.
Who Wins A Best-Of-7 Series ?
The veteran firepower sets the tone in Game 1. Durant explodes for 34 points, including a dagger three with under a minute left. Westbrook adds 24 points and 8 assists, while Harden chips in 17 off the bench. The 2025 squad stays in it thanks to Shai’s 28 points and 6 steals, but their slower start and nerves on the big stage are evident. The moment belongs to the OGs.
Shai makes a statement in Game 2. The MVP drops 36 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals while holding Westbrook to 6-of-20 shooting. Chet Holmgren finishes with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks, punishing Perkins in the pick-and-pop game. Dort harasses Harden into 3-of-11 shooting, and the 2025 squad dominates the final 18 minutes. Series tied, 1-1.
Game 3 ends up being a chess match. The 2025 Thunder use a smaller lineup with Jalen Williams at the 4, opening up the floor and forcing Ibaka into uncomfortable switches. J-Dub has his best game of the series: 27 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, including a clutch step-back three over Durant in crunch time. Durant still gets 30, but Westbrook’s 7 turnovers swing momentum. 2025 leads, 2-1.
The old Thunder won’t go quietly in Game 4. Westbrook goes nuclear: 38 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, finishing through contact, jawing with Dort, and dragging his team over the line. Harden redeems himself with 19 points and 6 dimes, and even Ibaka gets in on the action with 4 blocks. Shai and Jalen combine for 53, but the defense falters late. Tied again.
Chet Holmgren ultimately wins Game 5 with defense. He swats 5 shots, alters 8 more, and dominates the glass. Shai has a quieter night (24 points) but controls the tempo, while Dort hits three timely threes. Perkins plays only 12 minutes and gets benched in crunch time. The modern OKC squad forces 15 turnovers and holds Harden scoreless in the fourth. 2025 goes up, 3-2.
Game 6 is an instant classic. Durant and Shai trade buckets all night, with KD finishing with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Shai answering with 37 points and 5 steals. Westbrook fouls out late in the fourth, but Harden takes over with 11 fourth-quarter points, including a deep step-back three to send it to OT. Jalen Williams’ game-tying three rims out at the buzzer in double OT. We’re going to Game 7.
Shai closes the show and the door in one of the best Game 7’s in NBA history. The MVP drops 33 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, controlling every inch of the floor. Dort holds Harden to 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting, and Jalen Williams adds 21 points and a thunderous dunk over Ibaka that swings the game’s momentum. Chet quietly racks up 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, and Westbrook turns it over five times in the fourth quarter. The 2025 Thunder wear down their legendary predecessors with pace, poise, and polish.
Finals MVP: Shia Gilgeous-Alexander
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