OKC Thunder - "Changing Basketball" like Moneyball

[TomasM]

I don't expect many people in this forum to have a fond appreciate of athletics but I wanted to highlight something I have been witnessing in basketball recently. Basketball is a form of human art and entertainment that influences and motivates people by demonstrating commitment, dedication, intelligent strategy and work ethic. What is currently happening in Oklahoma City is truly phenomenal. In this thread, I wanted to highlight the similarities between the OKC Thunder and what occurred with the Oakland A's depicted by Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in the movie Moneyball.

Here's a excerpt from the movie for reference. After viewing it, you will find the comparisons between the teams and then a brief explanation for my interest.

Market Comparison:

• Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC represents one of the NBA’s smallest markets with limited revenue streams and population compared to powerhouses like the New York Knicks or Boston Celtics, which benefit from massive fan bases, corporate sponsorships, and media attention.
• Oakland A's: The A’s faced similar challenges in MLB, competing with the deep-pocketed New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, who dominate the league with massive payrolls and extensive resources.

The Strategy:
To level the playing field, both teams relied on innovative strategies. The A’s used advanced analytics (Moneyball) to find undervalued players, while OKC has leaned on stockpiling draft picks and nurturing young talent. This approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes reliance on expensive stars, offering a blueprint for smaller franchises to stay competitive.

In essence, these small-market teams have had to "out-think" rather than "out-spend" their big-market rivals like New York and Boston to find success.

The OKC Thunder currently has the youngest roster in the NBA. Last year they won the Western Conference regular season and this year they are being touted as the team to challenge the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

My Interest: I was born and raised in a small Oklahoma town. My father and Brad Pitt's father went to the same High School and participated in athletics on the varsity teams together. Brad was also born in that same town. It was not uncommon for him to come to town with his SO to visit with grandparents during the holidays. Naturally, I developed an interest in his career and was especially fond of the movie Moneyball. Though the movie depicted a team in Oakland, we are now seeing a similar change in Oklahoma. The OKC Thunder was brought to Oklahoma from Seattle and Aubrey McClendon (CEO of Chesapeake Energy at the time) played a pivotal role in acquiring the team. I worked for Chesapeake Energy and had the opportunity to be involved in the transformation of the US energy sector. This company was eventually dismantled by a corporate raider by the name of Carl Icahan a Wall Street corporate raider. I believe the success of the Thunder is tied to the people of Oklahoma because it symbolizes the constant need to overcome big financial oppression (greed) at the expense of a people since the state was established. Aubrey McClendon fought hard for his employees but eventually lost the company he created and his life (speculatively speaking).

 

[TomasM]

Here is the General Manager for OKC that has made it all happen. Sam Presti, is the new Billy Beane (Brad Pitt depicted) for a small market team. This time it's basketball instead of baseball.


When he became a GM for the first time [in Oklahoma City], he assembled three players that each went on to be league MVP's: Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and James Harden. That is unheard of in professional athletics.

He then got them to the NBA Finals and just fell short of a championship. Because he didn't win, the cost of those great players began to rise and eventually it became impossible to keep the team together in a small market. Shortly after, he began a rebuild and did it at a record pace - 2 years.

Last year the Thunder won the Western Conference regular season, but nobody expected them to win the championship because their players were so young (currently the youngest roster in the league) and they lacked postseason experience. Though they performed well, they fell short. In the offseason, they made a couple roster trades and are now considered by many to be the favorite to win the title.

The team will have a bigger window at success this time around because of the way newly drafted player salaries are structured. If they win the title then they will have changed basketball from a high paying financial structure [for a limited number of players] to one where more players are valued and rewarded.

If he wins a championship this year, he could very easily have a dynasty, just like Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan. The team is currently first in the western conference (considered the strongest) and has the highest point differential of any team in the league (a big indicator for winning a championship).

Here's a clip of what is being discussed [about Sam] by top sports media in a big market. This was a discussion during last season. They know the potential ramifications if he succeeds.

At a time when big money is starting to control everything globally and the people are feeling completely helpless at times, a spirit of overcoming adversity is especially needed. I believe this is why so many people outside of Oklahoma are starting to love this team. They are truly exciting to watch, because they genuinely care about each other and reward every play at the moment it happens.