Dynasties in sports are rare.
Most fans would agree that only the Kobe Lakers, the Jeter Yankees, and the Brady Pats have come about as true dynasties over the last 15 years or so (with some arguing for the Duncan Spurs as well).
It takes a lot of skill, timing, and luck for a dynasty to gel and materialize.
It looks like the Oklahoma City Thunder are destined to be the next one.
Are K.D. and Westbrook on the cusp of beginning the next dynasty in U.S. sports?
The Thunder have all the markings of a potential dynasty, including youth, athleticism, desire and contractual obligations.
Each position on the court is backed up with major talent and experience. Barring any injuries, they will be the odds-on favorite to win it all next season for sure.
Basically, the entire nucleus of the team is due to come back next year. Only Royal Ivey, Derek Fisher and Nazr Muhammed are free agents after the season. Those three guys play adequately, but they are not key players.
Every team in the league will be trying to develop its roster to play at the level of OKC, but there aren’t enough of the same kind of players out there to find and bring in. It’s not an easy fix or easy upgrade to get to OKC’s level.
Durant’s and Westbrook’s speed and versatility, Ibaka’s length and improving skill level, along with Harden’s unusual mix of moves, separate them from the pack.  They have tremendous role players to compliment the team’s star players. Perkins, Collison, Sefolosha, and Cook make the team as complete of a team as there can be for a long while.
OKC is in for an extended run.
Minimally, most would agree it takes three championships to make a dynasty. The Thunder, despite dropping Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals to the Spurs, still has a solid chance to start the run this year. And why not do it in systematic fashion?
They took out their first powerhouse, the Mavs, 4-0. Â Next, the Lakers, 4-1. It looks like the Spurs will win two games, both at home, and lose the series to OKC 4-2. Â What would be left? Â A game 7 at home versus the Heat with Bosh. Â They win the game, making it a 4-3 series victory.
4 past champions gone in order.
And the beginning of sports’ next dynasty.
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Howard Alperin is Managing Editor of AmericanizeSoccer.com
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