Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rise during the 2024-25 season was one of the biggest storylines in the NBA. From plucky upstarts during the 2020 Bubble days to legitimate Western Conference contenders, the Thunder have built the beginnings of a dynasty around Shai’s unbelievable scoring. Last season’s leap resulted from a youthful culture obsessed with growth. Now, after the highs, for the first time, this version of the Thunder enters the season as the hunted.

That’s where legendary head coach Stan Van Gundy came with a warning, drawing from his experience. Van Gundy, who coached the 2009 Orlando Magic team that reached the finals, said, “The one thing that really is different is that during their rise to the top and throughout last season, that excitement factor that you faced every day has changed.”

He explained his point: “The excitement that you face every day from the fans – you’re getting applauded for every win and every step you take up the ladder. Now, what really changes is that people start to take those things for granted.”

To Van Gundy, who has coached Hall of Fame players like Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade, this change is unavoidable. He explained that wins lose their novelty once teams reach the upper tier. “You could win 60 games, and nobody will think it’s a great accomplishment, but on the flip side, if you lose three or four games, everyone acts like the world is ending.”

This psychological grind tests every team; it’s a battle against fatigue and expectation instead of an opponent on the floor.

This is the storm OKC is entering. “The fun won’t ever be like it was the last couple of years for OKC,” Van Gundy cautioned. “Every team, whether it’s the Warriors or the Celtics, once you reach the top, you have to learn to deal with those expectations and find ways to create your own enthusiasm and joy.”

For Shai, who’s remained the calm and collected leader of the team, this season will be a test to see how he survives once the crown that 29 other teams are reaching for lies on their heads.

Egos, Expectations, and the Thunder’s New Challenge

Stan Van Gundy’s insight culminated in a moment where he invoked a lesson from Hall of Fame head coach Pat Riley: the disease of ME. Everyone on the way up collectively undertakes the grind, but egos creep in when success settles in. “People start getting a little selfish because they take winning for granted,” Van Gundy said.

He quickly clarified that he didn’t believe this Thunder team fit that exactly, calling them a “high-character group” assembled by Sam Presti with intention. However, even the best cultures aren’t immune to fractures.

It’s easy to see the success’s impact on the team’s role players. Aaron Wiggins, a second-rounder fan-favorite who performed during big moments, expressed how much their win meant to the team.

In an in-arena ceremony right before the parade, he gave a rousing speech to the crowd, highlighting how OKC was once at the bottom of the barrel. “My rookie season, we won 24 games… 4 years ago, they tried to call us the black hole of the NBA. Now they gotta mention the Thunder organization as NBA champions!” he exclaimed, the crowd cheering him on.

Now, the Thunder faces their biggest challenge: maintain a hunger for more despite their dream already being realized. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s quiet leadership and head coach Mark Daigneault’s system based on accountability, they’ve built a locker room for the long term. The question now is whether the foundation will hold when the joy has to come from within – not the crowds, media, or even the wins that once meant anything.