NBA Finals Game 7 Reaction: Thunder Win It All

Summary

Podcast Summary: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective – "NBA Finals Game 7 Reaction: Thunder Win It All"

Release Date: June 23, 2025

In this electrifying episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, host Brian Windhorst, alongside special guest and ESPN Insider Iman Shumpert, delves deep into the thrilling conclusion of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their first-ever championship in a dramatic Game 7 against the Indianapolis Pacers, marking a historic moment for the franchise. This comprehensive analysis captures every pivotal moment, strategic insight, and personal anecdote from the final showdown.

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1. The Decisive Game 7

[00:36] Host Brian Windhorst opens the discussion by highlighting the Thunder's remarkable journey to their inaugural championship. Celebrating at the Pacom Center, Iman Shumpert underscores the Thunder's impressive second-half performance that culminated in a memorable victory.

Brian Windhorst emphasizes, "The Thunder were the best team all year long and in this series," attributing their success to key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose stellar second-half play, defensive support from Chad Holmgren, and Jalen Williams's 20-point contribution were instrumental.

2. Turning the Tide in the Second Half

[01:15] Iman Shumpert reflects on the critical moments that shifted the game's momentum. He recalls the palpable shock within the Thunder's camp following Tyrese Haliburton's injury: "It was like a shell shock. Very eerie." Despite this setback, the Thunder found their groove, demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess.

[01:46] Brian Windhorst breaks down the Pacers' initial lead and their balanced offensive contributions. However, the third quarter proved disastrous for the Thunder, plagued by turnovers. "The decisive stat was 18 points off of turnovers by the Thunder in the third quarter, while the Pacers had zero," Windhorst notes, highlighting how this disparity sealed the Thunder's fate.

3. Key Player Performances

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: His exceptional second-half performance was pivotal. Windhorst praises, "Shai's excellence set the tone for our victory."

• Jalen Williams: Scoring 20 points, Williams was a crucial offensive driver. Shumpert adds, "Jalen kept the momentum alive with his consistent scoring and playmaking."

• Chad Holmgren: Defensively stout, Holmgren's presence was a stabilizing factor. "Chad's defense was unyielding, providing the Thunder with the necessary support," Shumpert asserts.

• Obie Toppin: The Pacers' star struggled significantly, missing his rhythm and showing reduced aggression. "Obie's lack of defensive rebounds and missed shots directly impacted the Pacers' performance," Windhorst explains.

4. Critical Moments and Strategic Plays

A standout moment was Lou Dort's pivotal three-pointer that shifted the game's momentum. [07:05] Iman Shumpert recounts, "Lou Dort made that shot at a crucial juncture, which was deflating for the Pacers." This play underscored the Thunder's ability to capitalize on key opportunities.

Additionally, TJ McConnell's relentless defense and fight attitude were highlighted as essential factors in maintaining the Thunder's composure under pressure. "McConnell's fight kept the Thunder in the game, preventing the Pacers from gaining further advantage," Windhorst remarks.

5. Championship Celebrations and Personal Anecdotes

Post-victory, the Thunder's celebration was a testament to their disciplined approach. Unlike previous exuberant celebrations, [14:02] Iman Shumpert describes it as "the tamest championship celebration I've ever seen," with controlled festivities and minimal champagne consumption. Jalen Williams experienced his first taste of alcohol, humorously noting, "Jalen took his first sip of alcohol and kept it together pretty well," reflecting the team's composed demeanor.

Iman Shumpert shares a personal story about traveling to Las Vegas for celebrations, emphasizing the camaraderie and support within the team: "Seeing the faces of everyone who supported us throughout the year made it one of the most magical experiences."

6. Future Outlook and The Thunder Dynasty

Looking ahead, Windhorst and Shumpert are optimistic about the Thunder's potential to become a dynasty. [21:10] Bam McMahon comments, "The Thunder are set up as the next dynasty in the NBA," highlighting their young core, solid contracts, and exceptional management. The team boasts two players over 27 on a young roster, ensuring longevity and continual growth.

Shumpert concurs, stating, "With players like Jalen Williams improving week after week and the team's assets and management, the Thunder are poised for sustained success."

7. Overarching Themes and Closing Thoughts

The episode underscores the themes of resilience, strategic excellence, and the importance of building a cohesive team culture. Windhorst concludes, "Winning a championship is about getting through adversity, staying healthy, and a bit of luck." The Thunder's journey from rebuilding to champions serves as an inspiring blueprint for other franchises aiming for greatness.

[22:10] Bam McMahon wraps up with a lighthearted prediction, "Set the over/under on how many championships this Thunder core will win. I'm putting mine on over." This forward-looking statement encapsulates the unbridled optimism surrounding the team’s future.

[36:54] Windhorst closes the episode by thanking guests and listeners, hinting at upcoming discussions on the NBA Draft and summer league prospects, ensuring fans stay engaged with future content.

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Notable Quotes:

• Brian Windhorst [00:36]: "The Thunder were the best team all year long and in this series."

• Iman Shumpert [01:15]: "It was like a shell shock. Very eerie."

• Brian Windhorst [01:46]: "The decisive stat was 18 points off of turnovers by the Thunder in the third quarter, while the Pacers had zero."

• Iman Shumpert [07:05]: "Lou Dort made that shot at a crucial juncture, which was deflating for the Pacers."

• Bam McMahon [21:10]: "The Thunder are set up as the next dynasty in the NBA."

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This episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective offers an in-depth and engaging analysis of the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic championship victory. Through expert insights, strategic breakdowns, and personal stories, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level and the promising future that awaits this young and dynamic team.

Transcript

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[Iman Shumpert]

Foreign.

[Podcast Host]

Hello and welcome to WHO Collecting podcast. We talk about the NBA which we're doing here right under the basket. Iman Shumpert at Pacom center with a Thunder are celebrating their first ever NBA championship with a strong second half performance to finish out a really strong season. The proper team won the championship. In my opinion, they were the best team all year long. They were the best team in this series. Shay Jotus Alexander had an excellent second half. He got great support from Chad Holmgren defensively and Jalen Williams scoring enough points, 20 points offensively. But I feel like tonight will not be remembered for anything. The Thunder did it.

[Iman Shumpert]

I mean when you think about it, as soon as you saw Tyrese Halliburton, we saw the pop on the slow mo once you saw that heel completely touch floor even like we were saying earlier, even for the Thunder players it was like a shell shock. Very eerie. After that, again, they found their rhythm in the second half. So I can agree with you, the Thunder should have won. Would have liked to see it at full strength but man, it was a great series.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, it was. It was truly remarkable. The Pacers had a one point lead at halftime. They were doing their Pacer thing where they were getting contributions up and down. They had. They'd successfully slowed the game to a spot where they could, especially after Tyrese went out, they really couldn't play up tempo with them. They'd slowed. The game was 48, 47 and then the third quarter, the worst thing you can do is turn the ball over and basically whoever won the turnover game won each game in this series. There were games where the Thunder couldn't stop the Pacers with the turnovers, but the turnovers in the third quarter were eight to nothing. You know, eight for the Pacers, zero for the Thunder and the devastating stat of the night where the game was decided in my view, 18 points off of turnovers in the third quarter for the Thunder, zero for the Pacers. That's pretty much the game.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, I mean you had a second there where TJ McConnell was trying to keep you in it, which is the fight.

[Podcast Host]

He's amazing, man.

[Iman Shumpert]

You love the fight in that guy. But, you know, down the stretch or even within that flurry that he does, right? That's when you got to have a guy like Pascal Siakam, where it's like, now you got to get on the block because TJ's going back and forth. He in a heavyweight match right now by himself, but he's also a guy that counts by two, you know what I mean? He's not a guy that's going to hoist up a lot of threes. And a lot of the things that he does don't lead to threes unless you have a Halliburton playing alongside him or he coming in and out for him. And things are moving, things are hopping, things are going full court. They didn't get a lot of defensive rebounds that were going to lead to a lot of runouts tonight. They also weren't as scrappy and getting as many deflections as they once were. The biggest stat to me that jumped out was Obie Toppen.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Throughout their ups and downs, Obie Toppin has done, I think, a lot of what Chet has done, where sometimes it might not show up on the stat line, but Obie Toppin does a lot of great things for them as far as deflections, being in the right place at the right time and then shooting the three ball extremely well. He did not shoot the ball well. He did not get into a rhythm, and he wasn't really aggressive at all. You know what I mean? And when I say that, I look at defensive rebounds right away for aggression of somebody that jumps like that, if he's got six, seven rebounds or defensive rebounds, I don't mind him going to the offensive board as well. But 6, 7 rebounds for playing 20 minutes makes sense to me. If you're sweating and you're getting in there, you're scrapping, you're getting 50, 50 balls. I think those are the things that lead to easy points and, you know, give you a little breathing room on the offensive end.

[Podcast Host]

Again, that's a classic role player on the road situation.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You know, he had 20 points in Game 6 and, you know, I think a key moment. There was actually a moment in the third quarter where it was a couple of possessions where the Thunder actually were double teaming McConnell.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, oh, you talking about. Oh, you talking about.

[Podcast Host]

And the reason that's relevant is because here comes. Here comes Shay, here comes the MVP or. No, he's. That's That's Jalen Williams. He. Look, he's got a custom. He's got a custom letterman jacket there.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yes, sir.

[Podcast Host]

Don't let go of that trophy.

[Iman Shumpert]

Welcome, sir. Welcome, sir. Welcome.

[Podcast Host]

Congratulations.

[Iman Shumpert]

Welcome, sir.

[Podcast Host]

Now the thing.

[Iman Shumpert]

So anyway, Jaylen Williams has arrived with the trophy. I told him welcome because Small group.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, he liked it. He knew exactly what you meant.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, yeah, he know. I knew when I saw the video of him pointing at it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

You get to pointing at that hand, man, that's really all you do it for. That's. That's the thing that, you know, all athletes feel accepted by that man. Something about that championship. People try and figure out ways to make it rank here and do this and do that.

[Podcast Host]

But it's like, we do do that.

[Iman Shumpert]

Once you're in the club, but you let people do it because once you in the club, it's like, Michael Jordan can see Jalen Williams. I can see you now. That's what it mean to me. Like, once you become a champion. Bill Russell, Reggie Miller, all the greats, they like, oh, no, we watched to see who won that ball.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, well, the thing about it is, is that it's one of those things that you can never diminish it once you're a champion. You say a lot of bad stuff about it forever. And that was won tonight. These guys are basking in it right now. I don't even know if we should talk that much about this game, but, I mean, I would just say that.

[Iman Shumpert]

It'S a great game.

[Podcast Host]

They were double teaming McConnell because they didn't. They had nobody else going. And like, that's because Halibut was hurt. It's because Siakam didn't have it going. It's because Hatoppin didn't have it going. Nemhardt didn't really have it going.

[Iman Shumpert]

They double team, you know, the possession that I think was.

[Podcast Host]

All right, go ahead.

[Iman Shumpert]

They double team. Shay.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Shay carries. They don't call it. Lou Dort hits a bomber three and they first started their separation. If I'm. If I'm on Indiana, I would have jumped up and down and got a technical foul and said that was a carry. But that was a very important.

[Podcast Host]

I didn't even notice that he carried.

[Iman Shumpert]

He and like, threw it down.

[Podcast Host]

Congratulations.

[Iman Shumpert]

Got it back, corralled it, got it back, threw it to the top. And Lou Dort shot a 3 from. I don't know where. He lost the pass. Well, I remember the three and let that three go.

[Podcast Host]

It was a, you know, two.

[Iman Shumpert]

I Want to say it was a four point game at that time. It was either a four pointer.

[Podcast Host]

I can't remember the last time they called it carry in a game seven, but I feel you. They, by the way, they, they let Shay, they let Shay go.

[Iman Shumpert]

I mean, you gotta call this one. Trust me, I'm very much like let him play.

[Podcast Host]

Right, right, right.

[Iman Shumpert]

Even Shay's face, he knew he just messed up. He knew it. And he had been taking care of the ball. That's why he was gonna be mad about it. He couldn't believe they let it go. He got rid of it immediately. Smart, very smart.

[Podcast Host]

He didn't let him think about it.

[Iman Shumpert]

Not at all. And Lou Doerr hoisted up, made that shot. And I think after that, if I'm Indiana, that's a deflating shot. We did our job. No call. They keep playing. They hit a bomber. It really was a prayer. He hits it, they all exhale and we all just like. That's one of those plays to me.

[Podcast Host]

Well, Rick Carlisle was trying everything he possibly could to get a technical foul because I think he was a little exasperated in that third quarter because, you know, they let the, they really allowed a lot of physical play today, which you probably want in a game seven. There was a, there was a chintzy call on Neesmith early in the, in the game. He got his second foul. But really they let him play for the most part. Nice.

[Iman Shumpert]

Smith, I feel like plays well even when the whistle goes against him. I think he's one of the better players in the NBA. He fouls out. But I mean, when you have to guard some of these players that you have to guard, if you have Shay, you, you can't close out short. Like that's how, that's how a guy gets 40, you know what I mean? And sometimes it takes six fouls and you don't get. You're not available tonight. You know what I mean? I think it's great that he takes on the challenge. Of course he's going to get way more respect going into next year now as a defender. They're not going to call as many tic tac fouls on him because now you get to see how he plays. You got to see how he plays throughout a series, throughout a final series. So he started to move the needle.

[Podcast Host]

A lot of the Pacers elevated themselves.

[Iman Shumpert]

Without a doubt. You moved the needle a little bit. Like I wasn't, I didn't all the way know how a lot of these guys play. Like I knew how Siakam played. I Know, if he gets on one dribble into the spin, he might get the call, because me and everybody else on earth knows he's going to do it. You know what I mean? But once the refs and the crowd, we all start knowing that's his game. He does that every time. Nobody could stop that. If he miss it, nine times out of 10, somebody vowed, you know, nine times out of 10, let's just. If they flail their arms, they kind of sell it. They're saying somebody fouled them because that's their bread and butter. They're not going to fake it. And I think a lot of the guys move the needle as far as that go, especially you, T.J. mcConnell. If they don't have a scouting report for you next year, somebody need to get fired.

[Podcast Host]

I also thought Benedict Matheran played valiantly. Yeah, that poor guy is going to be in a tub of ice right now. He hit the floor hard, like five. Five times.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah. The run into the post was crazy. I was reminded that he was 23 years old, because right after running into that post, after that travel that he did, they called. They end up calling the foul right before the. Before the travel came, when he took the three steps and went to the layup. But he ran into the bottom of the backboard right here. And, yeah, to get back up, pop back up and just run over here and shoot two free throws. It's unbelievable. Enjoy your youth.

[Podcast Host]

It was a. It was. The Thunder really won this game, the way they won a lot of games over the course of the season. It was sort of. It was a symbolic way that they did that. Chet played his best game in a couple of games. Williams had 20. Shea didn't. You know, Shea was less than his normal points. But, you know, he played. You know, he missed. He missed like 19 shots. It was not his best game, but he. He delivered what he delivered. He. You know, he won the 12 assists.

[Bam McMahon]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

His pace was there. He kept people involved. He played point guard tonight. He didn't shoot it well, but he played point guard. That's the thing about Shay, when he had that game where he didn't pass the ball, that's why he was so adamant about it the next game, because he knows, and he knew in that game, if I don't get these guys going, who's to get them going, you know, who's to make them feel like, whatever I missed before, erase that? Like, I don't care, as long as you're doing the things that we know you could do. And I think that Shay did that today. Today he didn't shoot it well, but he didn't take the bait of I got to get myself going. I got to get myself going. No, you're going to get going and you're going to shoot eight free throws as long as you all are ahead. So you know what I mean? You just got to sort of keep it to where they giving me this, they giving me that. Let me shoot a couple of inside out threes, let me get to my spots, let me get two feet in the paint, but I don't have to force anything because other guys are making shots, other guys are going to run. And again, they made so much offense off of defense, they made the game easy tonight.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I like this is what I refer to. Oh, we got McMahon.

[Bam McMahon]

More hoop collective podcast after this.

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[Iman Shumpert]

In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement. If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy.

[Podcast Host]

What you'll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow. Glad you're with us tonight. May convince you you've gone to sports heaven. And right now, you're standing on the edge of tomorrow.

[Iman Shumpert]

This fall, the next era of ESPN begins. Sports forever.

[Podcast Host]

Is McMahon sitting down? He's talking, people. It's Bam McMahon.

[Bam McMahon]

Howdy, partners.

[Podcast Host]

You didn't get any champagne on your beautiful suit.

[Bam McMahon]

I'll be honest with you.

[Iman Shumpert]

I wasn't a lot of champagne, brother.

[Bam McMahon]

Listen, not surprisingly, that was maybe the tamest championship celebration that I've ever seen. There was a few. There was a few Thunder employees who were moist, nobody soaked. Now, Jaylen Jalen Williams, J Dub did report he had the first sip of alcohol in his life. The first sip of alcohol and put.

[Iman Shumpert]

It right down in his.

[Bam McMahon]

I don't know if. I don't know how much he had, but he was. He seemed to be pretty coherent. So I was just saying J had the first sip of alcohol.

[Podcast Host]

Well, he came out here, he was stone sober. He was.

[Bam McMahon]

Yeah, I think it might have been a. A sip or two, but I went in there and the coolers were still pretty damn full.

[Podcast Host]

Now, listen, this man has had a few sips of alcohol, so he. I think he's. I think on a visceral level, he's reacting to it.

[Iman Shumpert]

I'm the same way where I couldn't wait to not even drink the champagne. I just wanted to splash it everywhere.

[Bam McMahon]

Right. At least put it on the shelves. Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

I just wanted to do what I saw all the greats do.

[Podcast Host]

Here's the thing. It was just shocking, you know, remember about your. So first off, I. I don't go into locker rooms necessarily. You had to go to cover it. But I don't like to go in the locker room after the team win because I think it's their championship. It's for you to celebrate. However, in 2016, I did go, and there was. There was champagne. Trash bags on the floor with champagne on the floor. Everybody almost wiped out every five seconds. But you guys were smoking cigars.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And they were screaming at him, do not. You're not supposed to smoke cigars. You're California. They did not care.

[Bam McMahon]

When you win a championship, you don't ask for permission.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, we were not. It was all forgiveness.

[Bam McMahon]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

It will all be forgiven. It will all be forgotten that we.

[Bam McMahon]

Won Especially when it is delivering the first championship to a city like you did to Cleveland and like these guys did here to Oklahoma City. Look, this championship in Seattle, that is Seattle's. That's the supersonics.

[Podcast Host]

When the Sonics come up there, right?

[Bam McMahon]

The Thunder franchise just won their first championship. I do not believe it will be the last. I think they might put together multiples here coming up New Year's. I gotta just tell you, though, man, was that for. For the Pacers? Was that the best playoff run that didn't end in a championship ever? I mean, the journey they went on, the miracle comebacks, the upsets they pulled off the fight, they put up against a 68 win, heavily favored Thunder team. I really think that might be the best non championship playoff run.

[Podcast Host]

Huh? They were ahead at the half. Yeah, I mean, that's. I mean, yeah.

[Bam McMahon]

And unfortunately, like, listen, the what ifs with Hal Burton, he was. He came out hot, too, boy. Like, he was.

[Podcast Host]

Well, that's.

[Bam McMahon]

He was hitting from deep.

[Podcast Host]

This is a gigantic. I'm trying to walk the line here because you know how I feel about the Thunder.

[Bam McMahon]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You know how I feel about organic championships where a team built it from scratch on their own. They didn't have free agent come in. They didn't have a player force his way there via trade. An organic championship, which is what we have here, I want to give that the most respect. They could win two or three more titles over the next five, seven years, and it will not feel as good as this one because the first one, just like Cleveland could win another championship, will never be like 16 because you guys were down 3. One that will not be duplicated. So I do not want to take a syllable away from the Thunder, but at the same time, I'm having a hard time not just saying what if.

[Bam McMahon]

Well, and honestly, you got to have sympathy for the pair, especially for Tyrese hall, because, listen, man, like he talked about before game six, he talked about, like, understanding the risk. And when you have a calf strain, you know what the risk is. We've seen this happen with Kevin Durant in the Finals. Unfortunately, like, everybody knew exactly what the risk is. We saw the risk play out in really painful, tragic fashion there on the other end of the floor. How can you not feel sorry for the guy? But there's like, there's no way you're not going to play in Game 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals.

[Iman Shumpert]

Forget about it. It's the. We were talking about it after game six. He made movements over and over that we all Thought this could be it at any moment. When he got through game six, after he hit the second three in here, I forgot about the calf. I'm telling you, I forgot about the calf muscle. I just started rolling with him, and.

[Bam McMahon]

They were like deeper and deeper and deeper.

[Iman Shumpert]

Talking trash. In that time out, I said, hey, man, I don't know what drug they gave that man, but he don't feel that calf. And then it was like, right after that, you have that disheartening. You had the confirmation from him saying, no, no, no, no. Like, not right now. Yeah, that's tough. But honestly, if I'm the OKC Thunder, there's zero chance that anybody thinks that I care that somebody went down. I promise you, and they shouldn't. To my standard, I don't feel like we should have lost the first championship. Kyrie haped his knee. I had my shoulder out of place. JR's back was messed up. Kevin Love's back was messed up. LeBron's.

[Podcast Host]

No. Kevin Love's shoulder was out.

[Iman Shumpert]

His shoulder was out. I can't remember what LeBron's issue was, but I believe he went and got some back operation after that. Before the next season, you might have.

[Podcast Host]

Just broken news, but we'll just move past that.

[Iman Shumpert]

Terrible. Everybody was terrible after that.

[Podcast Host]

Well, and it. We're. We're revisiting old ten years ago, but.

[Iman Shumpert]

But I mean, it's just injuries come with it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Like, this part of winning the championship.

[Podcast Host]

Is being able to get through.

[Iman Shumpert]

Got to get healthy. That's. Oh, you said standby.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, there you go.

[Podcast Co-Host]

You just gotta. You gotta be healthy, and you gotta be lucky.

[Iman Shumpert]

You do.

[Podcast Co-Host]

It's a huge part of it every year.

[Iman Shumpert]

A lot of that is luck. Seriously. Because every year you have to.

[Podcast Host]

And the next year. Bogut got hurt for them in the playoffs, and that was a huge factor. Bogut getting hurt.

[Iman Shumpert]

Without a doubt. And then Draymond Green got suspended.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

I don't know why he did that, but thank you. Thanks. Thanks. And that's what. That's all. I mean, like, with the Thunder, it can't be one of those things where.

[Podcast Host]

It'S like, I have a saying for this.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, man. You know, y' all didn't beat them when they were full strength. I don't care if they.

[Podcast Host]

I have a saying for this.

[Bam McMahon]

Go for it.

[Podcast Host]

Winning means never having to say you're sorry.

[Bam McMahon]

Nope.

[Podcast Host]

So that will. That will come into full effect?

[Podcast Co-Host]

Sure will.

[Bam McMahon]

And here's what's scary. The Thunder should be better next year. And the year after that. And their MVP is still an ascending talent. The only player in their regular rotation who you can say is maybe on the back end of his prime is Alex Gruso. Jalen Williams gets better week after week after week. Chet was bedridden for much of the season. Like, banged up as hell. Chad's going to get better.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Especially they got. They got two players over 27, the second youngest team to win a title ever, and they have everybody under contract. They have the most assets in the league. They got the best management team in the league. They are as set up as you can be, as we've said all playoffs, to be the next dynasty in the NBA. Now, like you said, chump, you got to get lucky. You got to stay healthy. A lot of things have to fall into place. But there have been many times in the history of the league where a team has been this set up to be good for a long time. Like the Thunder are. You got to get one. And now they got it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So you've been talking about this. So this is the seventh consecutive year of a different champion, which we've never.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Seen before, but it's the ultimate area of parity in the NBA. We've seen 11 out of the 14 potential teams in the Finals being different teams. That's never happened before. Seven years in a row with a champion, it's never happened before. It also feels like that era is over. It feels like we're about to walk into the era of okc.

[Bam McMahon]

Set the over under on how many championships this Thundercore wins.

[Podcast Co-Host]

That's going to get over on trouble.

[Bam McMahon]

No, it's not. I mean, if I say 2.5, you take an over. Sean over under. 2.5 titles for this group.

[Iman Shumpert]

I say under.

[Bam McMahon]

Oh, really? I thought that was kind of low.

[Iman Shumpert]

The reason I say under is what I do know about winning the championship is as much as people thought you were good, now people practice for you.

[Bam McMahon]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Like it's not. It's no longer he's good. He's getting there. It's nah, it's them. So we gonna run stuff to deal with that. We're gonna add people to our roster.

[Bam McMahon]

More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

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[Iman Shumpert]

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[Podcast Host]

This is not the first time Alex Crusoe said alcohol.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Look, we haven't. We haven't seen a team get out of the. We haven't seen a team win a title and get out of the second round of the playoffs since 2019.

[Bam McMahon]

Wow.

[Podcast Co-Host]

So, like, you're talking since the warriors got to the finals and lost with Katie and Those guys in 2019, every team that's won has lost in the second round or earlier. So, you know, again, you're talking about. Just repeating is hard, let alone having a dynastic run. But again, they're just. These guys are set up in a way nobody has been. And, you know, to your point, McMahon, that's going to start being the talk. Like, they are the big, bad, dominant team now going forward in the league. And like you said, chump going forward. That's the team everybody's going to be aiming at and looking at how to beat them and how to take them down. And, you know, they're going to be the gold standard going forward.

[Iman Shumpert]

One wrinkle about that. The gold standard basketball is going to get good.

[Bam McMahon]

Oh, yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

And you no longer could beat them the other way.

[Bam McMahon]

And listen, they are going to be. These guys are such boy scouts. Alex Caruso is back there saying, no, look, guys, this is how you open a champagne bottle, okay? Jaylin? Yeah, that's what Rachel Nichols just tweeted. Jalen Williams is his first little sip of alcohol.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, they're like. They're like really good kids.

[Podcast Co-Host]

But.

[Bam McMahon]

But they're going to become.

[Podcast Host]

During the trophy set presentation, somebody was messing with Alex. His hair. And he goes, stop it. Or his head. Not his hair.

[Bam McMahon]

I was gonna say what. Say in his beard. No, but. But my point is this bunch of boy Scouts that are going to become villains to the casual NBA fans because, like, obviously they've got an unbelievable fan base here, but it's going to be either you're with them or, man, you want to see him get knocked off. And that's going to be like. We. I've talked about. How do you market the Oklahoma City Thunder? You market them as they're the big dogs everyone's trying to knock off the block.

[Podcast Host]

Now do we have the camera? We can just show Mark Dagenault just casually talking to Bob Myers over there. Like he just became a championship coach. He's just hanging out over there like shorts on.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Mark was going to kind of smile up on the podium. He kind of smiled.

[Podcast Host]

He. He doesn't even his hair isn't that out of place.

[Bam McMahon]

Listen, well, listen, we don't want to talk about Dagonel's hair because I do still think he's. Well, now that Tibbs is gone. I think he's got the worst hairstyle of any active NBA coach who can grow hair.

[Podcast Host]

That was uncalled for.

[Bam McMahon]

But. But hell of a coach, by the way.

[Podcast Host]

I can think of some that are worse, but I'm not going to say that because I'm not going to slander anybody.

[Bam McMahon]

Listen, I did invite. I congratulate Sam Presti, who obviously he's done an unbelievable job right now since he's been the GM here, but especially in this rebuild, right? We go back like the. The trade where he trades Paul George and somehow the rights to the reigning finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, that he never had on the roster to get SGA a hall of picks, one of which is Jalen Williams. Anyways, I congratulate him. I did extend an invitation to join us at the Tipsy Tiki.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, are you. Are you going there tonight?

[Bam McMahon]

No, I'm not.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Bam McMahon]

But I invited Sam out there.

[Podcast Host]

So I mentioned this on Van Pelt afterwards and it's going to be in some stuff I'm doing after the series. When Woj broke the story that the. That Paul George was being traded and going to. With the Kawhi to the Clippers. Shay Gilders. Alexander. Shay Gildas. Alexander's name was in the fourth paragraph.

[Bam McMahon]

Oh, man.

[Podcast Host]

Fourth paragraph. And like I'M not even taking a shot. Like he was, he was a prospect.

[Bam McMahon]

Well, he was coming off, I believe, a second team all rookie season.

[Podcast Host]

Like he wasn't a.

[Bam McMahon]

He was like a nice prospect, but he wasn't like, you know, a crown jewel.

[Podcast Host]

This year. He won four trophies.

[Iman Shumpert]

You ain't gonna let that go.

[Podcast Host]

No, I just think it's amazing. I just think it's amazing that he was.

[Podcast Co-Host]

I mean that was a great rookie class. Really great rookie class. And he was, you know, a secondary player on a pretty deep Clippers team. Right. Had a lot of promise, but nobody, I mean he was. It was the draft picks and Shea, but nobody thought that Shea was gonna be like being all star, maybe like Tyrese Maxey is on Philly. Right. But nobody thought he was gonna be the best player on the planet.

[Podcast Host]

Maybe. I always tell this story, shump that. When did the cavs start getting LeBron back in Cleveland? The answer was they started getting him back the next day because they did. They forced Miami to do a sign and trade which they got assets back, for which they ended up using to trade for Kevin Love, which helped them four years later. When did the Thunder begin winning this championship? The day they broke up their previous team because they traded Paul George and then a couple of days later traded Russell Westbrook. But the Paul George trade brought back Shay and the draft pick that was Jalen Williams and stuff that's.

[Bam McMahon]

Well. And it led to the, like they were competitive that year, but then it led to a tear down a tank, you know. Well, it is what it is.

[Podcast Co-Host]

I'm not going back.

[Bam McMahon]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

They admit it's a tank.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Sam at the time wrote a letter to the Oklahoman, the paper here. And in it he said the next in saying goodbye to our past, we have to chart our future. The next great Thunder team is out there somewhere, but it will take time to seize and discipline to ultimately sustain. And it was six years.

[Bam McMahon]

Six years and it was now it.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Could be sustained for a very long time.

[Bam McMahon]

It was really, it was really a three year rebuild. And then, you know, just taking. They. They have been double figure leaps the last three seasons for this team.

[Podcast Host]

That's crazy.

[Bam McMahon]

From 24 to 40. From 40 to I believe 57. 57 to 60.

[Podcast Host]

Hard to double figure leap from.

[Bam McMahon]

There's only been one champion in NBA history who won more games than the Thunder. This year, 84. Only there was. There was one Jordan Bulls team that won more than 84 games. Now there was a 73 win warriors, but they weren't a champion Only One champion in NBA history has more wins than this Thunder team that two years ago won 42.

[Podcast Host]

Year before that was 24, 42 to 68 win champions in two years.

[Bam McMahon]

42 to 84. That's doubled it.

[Podcast Host]

That's pretty good.

[Iman Shumpert]

These numbers, man, they get. Hey, they get all the numbers. They just compare these to the Bulls, man.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, see, Chicago, he doesn't listen.

[Bam McMahon]

And here's the thing. Single season, you can talk. You can talk about the single season. Statistical comparisons, right? They've got us. And look, if we're going to compare them historically, you got to compare eras. And that's when you talk about multiple titles. That's when you talk about, can this team, you know, the Bulls, stack together six? Can they get in that kind of conversation? Can they get in the Showtime Lakers? Five, you know, can they get in those kind of conversations? I'm just saying they got all meaner, all of those. Well, they were the. They were the number one defense in the league by a wide margin. They did lead the league in turnovers. Force by a wide margin.

[Iman Shumpert]

You can't take none of that with you when you go to the next year. And then when you got.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Well, they're also. They're also just way ahead of schedule, too. You're not supposed to win the title when you got all these guys who are 22.

[Bam McMahon]

They've got like two guys on the roster of hair on their chest. I'm just saying.

[Podcast Host]

Shump is learning. We haven't had you on these shows for the last couple of rounds.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Chumps just learned, man is all over the place. You can't handle it.

[Bam McMahon]

What?

[Podcast Co-Host]

This is what we do all the time. This is every. This is every day with us. It's all the time.

[Iman Shumpert]

I'm that kid in the classroom that if we friends, y' all can't laugh. And look at me. I'm not the kid that y' all look at.

[Bam McMahon]

The back of the classroom made a bunch of bad jokes and ended up getting kicked out.

[Iman Shumpert]

I would laugh at the bad school suspension.

[Podcast Host]

He got kicked out of multiple schools, so.

[Bam McMahon]

Hey, J. D. What. What were you sipping on, bro?

[Iman Shumpert]

I had champagne. I've never had any alcohol. Champagne count as alcohol.

[Podcast Host]

Yes, it does, sir.

[Bam McMahon]

How much?

[Iman Shumpert]

Disgusting. It's crazy. Yeah, Jay, Will's trying to get me.

[Podcast Host]

To drink tequila, so we'll see how the night goes.

[Iman Shumpert]

I wouldn't see how the night goes.

[Podcast Host]

That could not go today. That could. That could go very poorly.

[Bam McMahon]

Maybe you should. I'm gonna put the over under on his tequila. Shots at and take the under.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, he needs you to go out with him tonight.

[Iman Shumpert]

And no exasperate him.

[Bam McMahon]

That's exactly.

[Iman Shumpert]

I can tell right away.

[Podcast Host]

The night you won the championship, went to Vegas. What was that night like?

[Iman Shumpert]

It was crazy because we went to sleep on the plane thinking we were going to Cleveland.

[Bam McMahon]

Oh, wow.

[Iman Shumpert]

So we was already kind of a little. A little out of it. And then I'm like, all right, I'm finna just get some rest. Cause I know this parade about to.

[Podcast Host]

Be crazy, which it was.

[Iman Shumpert]

You wake up at like, what? And the owner's like, we in Vegas. His eyes light up. They're like, yeah, everybody get up. Like, oh, we going to Vegas. Left our bags on the plane. I think I had, like, one of my phones probably got back on with one sock or something. It was. It was a good time. It was a good time. I saw. I never seen so many. So many of the people that helped us in the arena, they brought them on the plane. And a lot of the people that just faces that you saw throughout the year, that helped. That was around to be in Vegas and to see them, embrace them, see how they acted outside of their uniform for a change, I mean, that was probably one of the most magical experiences that I got.

[Podcast Co-Host]

I mean, I haven't won a title, but I've been in a lot of these. But I've been in a lot of these games now. And that is the best part about it, is seeing, like, I went back and saw a bunch of the Thunder executives who I've gotten to know over the years. And, like, you live through it. Like, you see teams like this, Oklahoma City. A lot of these guys have been here 10, 15, some of them the whole time with Sam.

[Podcast Host]

17 years.

[Podcast Co-Host]

They lost in the finals. They lost in the conference finals. They had Durant leave. They had to rebuild. And, like, it's fun to see teams fight through all this adversity and get to the finish line and get to experience this and see what it's like. Cause it's. It's just extraordinarily hard to do. And everybody who's done it, like, you've done it. Like, you've. Wearing that ring. Like, it. It.

[Podcast Host]

You.

[Podcast Co-Host]

You appreciate how difficult it is to actually get here. I know we're talking about these guys maybe winning several, but you got to win one to win several. And it's. It's cool to see these guys finally get there.

[Bam McMahon]

I mean, I did win a pickup championship during these playoffs. I mean, today was Lashamba. I'M just going to tell you I was dominant.

[Podcast Host]

So if he's out here talking about how he's got triple doubles and pickup.

[Bam McMahon]

Absolutely. Damn right.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's how you supposed to be coming.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, these guys are going to go out later. You guys have some of the same. You guys have cover the same cloth.

[Bam McMahon]

We prefer to call that swag, you.

[Podcast Host]

Know, Shump, though, here's the thing. You were. You play point guard. You passed the ball. Yeah, he does.

[Bam McMahon]

I'm point center, baby. What you talking about? Give me the ball right up there at that elbow and just work off me.

[Iman Shumpert]

Come on, boy. Sitter.

[Podcast Host]

All right, we're. We're gonna. That's gonna be enough, Shump. You've earned some. You've earned 0.05 tequila shots.

[Bam McMahon]

You.

[Podcast Host]

You're. You're on suspension.

[Bam McMahon]

I'm used to it.

[Podcast Host]

All right. Thank you to Bontemps. Thank you.

[Podcast Co-Host]

Just real quick before we go, because it's the end of the finals. It's been very awesome during the playoffs to have all these people come up and talk about how much they enjoy the pod. Everybody's listening, obviously. Listen, this. It's great having Chump on, but it's been. It's just very cool to see how people have embraced POD over the last few years.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, Shump, you're a star. You gotta come back next season.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's another thing, man. I came onto this originally just to do the stuff with Vanessa, so I appreciate y' all even allowing me to come sit down with y' all, but.

[Bam McMahon]

We don't make decisions. That's Wendy.

[Iman Shumpert]

I don't think I've had more fun talking basketball. I mean, the only thing that would make this better for me is to bring my brother and bring my father up here on the show with us to let them argue, too.

[Podcast Host]

What's on the table.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, they love to talk basketball, but, I mean, that's what it makes me feel like. I love this, the, you know, the kickback, chill vibe of it, but we just talk sports, talk hoops, get to talk the ups and downs the fans don't get to see. So again, thank y' all for having me around. Thank you to everybody who watching the hoop collective, man, for helping us go viral. Everything y' all got going on, man, long as y' all continue to like it and learn from it, you know, we gonna keep talking.

[Podcast Host]

All right. Thank you to Jackson Rafa, our producer. Thank you to Blair back there. Thank you everybody who helped us out out here on this six week long finals. It felt like six weeks.

[Iman Shumpert]

Wow.

[Podcast Host]

All right. And we will be. We got the NBA draft coming up. We're gonna have 48 hours. Yeah, it's pretty soon. And we got a whole bunch of stuff coming up. We got summer league, blah, blah, blah. Thank you for watching.

[Bam McMahon]

Adios, amigos.

[Podcast Co-Host]

It.