In the history of basketball, there will always be some teams and players that have become the talk of the town. And in the past few years, the "three-young era" that played for the Oklahoma City Thunder is undoubtedly one of the most compelling stories. The three players – Durant, Westbrook and Harden – have impressed countless fans with their performances. However, if the Los Angeles Clippers can win the championship this year, who of the three former Thunder junior will have a higher historical status? Let's explore.
First, let's take a look at Kevin Durant. As one of the cores of the trio, Durant's talent and skill are unquestionable. He's tall, long-armed, shoots well, and has an incredible scoring prowess. He is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and has impressive career stats. After leaving the Thunder to join the Warriors, Durant received two championship rings, which undoubtedly further cemented his position. If the Clippers can win the championship, then Durant's place in history will be further enhanced, after all, he is one of the most successful players in that three-less era.
Next, we look at Russell Westbrook. As the star of the Thunder, Westbrook is known for his amazing rebounding and assist statistics. He is the only player to average a triple-double in two consecutive seasons and the second player in history to average a triple-double in a single season. Westbrook's explosiveness and unrivalled sense of competition are impressive. However, Westbrook's historical status has been compromised to some extent compared to Durant. After leaving the Thunder, he joined several teams, but did not achieve impressive results. If the Clippers win the championship, Westbrook may be a little inferior in terms of personal history.
Finally, let's take a look at James Harden. As the "sixth man" in the era of three teenagers, Harden showed his potential during the Thunder period. His talent and skill on the offensive end are eye-catching, especially his sharpness and accuracy of his shots. However, after joining the Rockets, Harden's individual performance has improved dramatically and he has become a top star. He has won MVP awards and has been named to the All-Star team for many years. If the Clippers win the championship, Harden's place in history will be even higher, after all, he has become one of the top scoring guards in the league.
To sum up, if the Los Angeles Clippers win the championship this year, then among the former Thunder three, Kevin Durant's historical status is likely to be higher. Not only does he have a stellar career and amazing individual numbers, but he also earned two championship rings after leaving the Thunder. Westbrook and Harden, while also good players, are slightly inferior in terms of individual achievement and championship level. Of course, this is just my opinion, people have different opinions about their place in history, and the beauty of basketball is that it can spark endless discussion and controversy.
In any case, we should pay tribute to the dedication and effort of these three players. They have brought us many surprises and wonderful games as the Thunder, leaving their mark in basketball history. At the same time, we are also looking forward to the success of the Los Angeles Clippers this season and bring more answers to this question. In any case, there may never be a definitive answer to this question, as historical status is difficult to quantify and depends more on each person's personal preferences and perspectives.