Former Thunder Stars Reminisce in Return to Oklahoma City

It was a trip down memory lane for Oklahoma City Thunder fans on Thursday night.

Paycom Center was loud as ever gearing up for a matchup against three former Thunder stars making their return to Oklahoma City, this time as part of the Los Angeles Clippers: Russell Westbrook, Paul George and James Harden.

Many things have changed in the four years since Westbrook and George departed the organization, and especially in the 11 since Harden did. A whole new roster, direction and league. The impact each of the three future Hall of Famers made on the franchise during their time still lives on though, contributing to a rich, but short Thunder history.

Westbrook is of course the most beloved and accomplished Thunder player, spending 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, including an MVP honor in 2017. He's had an unbelievable impact on the organization, leading it through the loss of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors before his MVP season.

It's far from Westbrook's first return to Oklahoma City since he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019, but he still received a standing ovation on Thursday. His legacy on the Thunder hasn't been forgotten, nor has he forgotten the love he received from its fanbase.

"Best [fans] in the world," Westbrook said. "It's like home for me to be honest. I grew up here and they welcomed me and my family with open arms. They gave me everything they had every night and I did the same and I'm grateful."

Seeing the player return to the city he called home for so many years will never not be special, and it's part of why the bond they share is so special. Westbrook will be continued to shown love in Oklahoma City every time he returns, and eventually will have his No. 0 jersey high in the Thunder rafters.

Harden was unable to spend near as much time in Oklahoma City as Westbrook, but he was a major player on the 2012 NBA Finals squad. It's arguable that he should've been a Thunder for much longer, but it can only be looked at as a "what if" scenario now.

Still, Harden felt the energy of an up and coming Thunder team full of young stars last night, eerily similar to that 2012 team.

"It reminds me of when I was here, the beginning of the Thunder Up days," Harden said. "And it's beautiful. It's been a long time as far as the rebuilding process, but I think it's exciting and these fans deserve some good basketball."

Although the rebuild hasn't necessarily been as long as Harden described, the feeling of this season's roster does gives off a similar feeling to beginning of that era. It's not to say the Thunder are destined to be an NBA Finals team this season, but it is certainly building towards getting back to that spot.

The win over the Clippers increased Oklahoma City to a record of 18-8, good for a second placement in a tough Western Conference. Behind the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder is not only shaping itself into a contender once again, but stamping itself a new era of basketball.

That era is built on the legacies Westbrook, Harden and George left behind, three players who helped establish a winning culture in Oklahoma City. Even though they are opponents, and could be come playoff-time, they will always receive appreciation from a fanbase that values its former players.

As exciting as the future of the Thunder is, the past can't, and won't be forgotten.

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