Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle Supersonics Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the

game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that

players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have

decided to defy those odds. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder were established as the Seattle

Supersonics, where they called home until 2008. The franchise

relocated to Oklahoma City because it was unable to generate public

funding for a new arena. 

Whether their home has been Seattle or Oklahoma City, the franchise

has been a regular in the Western Conference playoffs. The franchise

has been to the NBA Finals four times (1978, 1979, 1996 and 2012)

with the lone victory coming in 1979, which was a 4-1 series win over

the Washington Bullets. 

When the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, its name changed to

“Thunder” because of Oklahoma City being located in Tornado Alley.

In addition, Oklahoma City is the home of the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry

Division, known as the Thunderbirds. 

Today, I put together a Thunder/Sonics Dream Team. Though college

football will always be Ticket No. 1 in Oklahoma, the fact that the

Thunder are the lone professional sports franchise generates much

interest. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player

needed to have played for the Sonics/Thunder for a minimum of four

seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years

ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make

this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This

is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first

consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of

All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping

immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not

going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Sonics/Thunder during a season of being a contender

does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the

Sonics/Thunder during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot

on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get

considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,

after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the

franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t

just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would

remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask

yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Gary Payton

You might be wondering why Russell Westbrook is not starting?

Westbrook is one of the most spectacular offensive talents ever to

play but Payton is a more well-rounded player and one of the most

complete point guards in NBA history. Payton was nicknamed “The

Glove” because of his defensive prowess. Payton, however, was no

slouch offensively as he averaged 18.2 points, 7.4 assist and 2.1

steals in his 13 seasons with the Sonics. Whereas Westbrook plays

defense as if it were optional.

Payton and then teammate Shawn Kemp formed a spectacular duo

that also led the Sonics to the 1996 NBA finals. Payton is a Hall of

Famer, nine-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 and

nine-time NBA All Defensive first-team. Payton led the NBA in steals

in 1996. 

Shooting guard: Ray Allen

In a sense, Allen was ahead of his time. Today's game has become

about floor spacing and 3-point shooting. Allen is one of the best pure

shooters ever to play the game. Though Allen was a Sonic for only four

years, they were very impactful years. The Hall of Famer finished his

career in Seattle averaging 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists

per game. For the time being, Allen owns the NBA 3-point scoring

record.

Allen is a 10 time NBA All Star, two-time All NBA selection (one as a

second-teamer, one as a third teamer). While playing for the Sonics,

Allen became the 97th player in NBA history to score 15,000 career

points. He also moved into second place in the NBA's list of all-time

3-point field goals made. He is now fifth. 

Small forward: Kevin Durant

Though Thunder fans were disappointed that Durant left the Thunder

as a free agent to join the rival Golden State Warriors, he remains a

legend in Oklahoma City. Durant gave the fans in Seattle one last

hurrah before the franchise left. Durant became the youngest scoring

champion in NBA history in 2010. Durant averaged 27.4 points and

7.0 rebounds in his nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder that

also included a trip to the NBA finals in 2012.

While Durant is one of the most spectacular scorers in NBA history,

he gradually became a much better defensive player. Durant is a

10-time All-Star, NBA MVP in 2014, nine-time All NBA (six as a first-

teamer),  NBA Rookie of the Year in 2008 and four-time NBA scoring

champion. Durant, who is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, is a

surefire Hall of Famer and an all-time great. 

Power forward: Spencer Haywood

Haywood spent only five years with the Sonics but they were his most

productive years as an NBA player. Over the course of his time with

the franchise, Haywood set many records, specifically career records

in rebounds per game and minutes per game. He also holds various

franchise records including his 1973-1974 season averaging 13.4

rebounds per game.

In his career with the Sonics, Haywood averaged 24.9 points and 12.1

rebounds per contest. All four of Haywood's All-Star Seasons came

as a member of the Sonics. In that span, he was also a two-time All

NBA first team selection. 

Center: Jack Sikma

Sikma was known for two things. For openers, nobody rocked the man

perm like he did. He was also known for his trademark reverse pivot

and then step back behind the head jumper. Sikma remains a Sonics

legend having played for the franchise for nine seasons including the

1979 NBA championship team.

Sikma helped the Sonics reach six playoff appearances. Sikma was a

seven-time All-Star, NBA All-Defensive second team in 1982 and NBA

All-Rookie first team in 1978. For his career, Sikma averaged 15.6

points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. In his time with the Sonics he

was especially known for his playoff performances with his best

coming in 1984, averaging 22.0 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Fred Brown: Nicknamed “Downtown Freddie Brown,” his career got

off to a slow start but averaged 14.6 points per game, 3.3 assists and

1.4 steals. When Brown retired in 1984, he was the franchise leader

in games played, points scored, field goals made, and free throws

made. Brown still holds the franchise's all-time record for points in a

regular-season game with 58, a record that Westbrook has since

equaled, points in a playoff game with 45, a record that Allen also

shares and steals in a game, 10, a record that Gus Williams also

shares. Brown also helped the franchise deliver an NBA

championship in 1979. 

Dale Ellis: Ellis’ long range shooting prowess and emphasis on

floor spacing would make him perfect for today's game. Ellis spent

five seasons with the Sonics, averaging 20.9 points and 3.9 rebounds

in that span. Ellis was an All-Star and All NBA in 1989 and NBA Most

Improved Player in 1987. 

Dennis Johnson: Johnson is most widely known for his Hall of Fame

career as a Boston Celtic but for his first four seasons in the NBA,

Johnson and teammate Gus Williams formed a very solid backcourt

duo. Johnson helped deliver a championship for the franchise in

1979. In that series, Johnson was NBA Finals MVP, two of his six

All-Star appearances came in a Sonic's uniform and so too did two

of his NBA All-Defensive first-team honors. In a Sonic's uniform,

Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Shawn Kemp: Kemp was nicknamed “The Reign Man” because of

his freakish athletic dominance. The Sonics picked Kemp with the

17th overall pick in the 1989 draft. After struggling as a rookie, Kemp

became a perennial All-Star. The Sonics were a consistent playoff

participant during his tenure and reached the NBA Finals in 1996.

In his career, Kemp averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds in 1.2 blocks.

All six of his All-Star seasons came in a Sonics uniform and he was

also a three-time All-NBA second team. 

Rashard Lewis: Considering that Lewis was taken with the 32nd pick

of the 1998 NBA draft, the Sonics got some great value out of this pick.

Lewis helped the Sonic to three playoff appearances; his best season

came in 2006-2007 when he averaged 22.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Lewis is No. 2 in franchise history in three-pointers made in franchise

history. Lewis played a mixture of small forward and power forward. 

Xavier McDaniel: McDaniel was the fourth overall pick in the 1985

NBA draft and in his career with the Sonics he averaged 20.7 points

and 7.0 rebounds per contest in his second seasons. He was one of

a threesome for the Sonics that averaged at least 20 points per game

along with teammate Dale Ellis and Tom Chambers. That season the

Sonics advanced the Western Conference Finals losing to the

eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers. McDaniel was NBA All-

Rookie first team in 1986 and an NBA All-Star in 1988. 

Bob Rule: Rule was an original Sonic, drafted in 1967 and was one

of the franchises first great talents. In his four seasons with the

franchise, Rule averaged 21.4 points and 10.0 rebounds. His best

season was 1970-71 more than the averaged 29.8 points 18.5

rebounds. in his fourth season, however, Rule sustained torn Achilles

which curtailed his effectiveness as a player. Rule averaged over 20

points per game in three of his five seasons in Seattle.

Detlef Schrempf: Schrempf played 17 years in the NBA with four

different teams and was impactful on each and every one of them.

The Sonics were no exception from 1993-1999. One of those years,

his contributions helped lead the Sonics to the NBA finals in 1996.

All three of Schrempf’s career All-Star appearances came with the

Sonics and he was all NBA 3rd team in 1995. In his career with the

Sonics, he averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. 

Russell Westbrook: Westbrook, who is now a Houston Rocket, is a

franchise Legend and one of the most athletically dominant point

guards in NBA history. In 11 years in Oklahoma City, Westbrook

compiled an average of 23.0 points, 8.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds and

1.8 steals. In 2016-201, Westbrook was the League's MVP becoming

the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double.

Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, two-time All Star game MVP,

seven-time All NBA (two as a first teamer), two-time NBA scoring

champion and two-time NBA assist leader.

Gus Williams: Williams played seven seasons with the Sonics. He

formed a solid backcourt tandem with Dennis Johnson. Williams

helped deliver an NBA championship to Seattle in 1979. He was

also a two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA first team in 1982. In his

career with the Sonics, Williams averaged at least 18 points per

game in five of those seasons. Williams was nicknamed “The Wizard.”

In the 1979 NBA finals, Williams averaged an eye-popping 28.6

points per game.

Coach: Lenny Wilkens. 

Wilkens is an NBA icon. He has been inducted into the Hall of Fame

as a head coach, player and assistant coach for the 1992 Dream

Team. Wilkens has more victories, 478 regular season, in franchise

history. He also helped deliver a championship to the franchise in

1978-79. From 1969-1972, Wilkins was a player-coach as a Sonic.

After three seasons as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers,

Wilkins returned for eight seasons with the Sonics. Wilkens coached

for six different teams. He compiled 2,487 regular season wins, 89

more than Don Nelson and over 400 more than any other coach in

NBA history. 

Team: 1978-1979. 

Though a case could be made for the 1995-1996 team that won 64

games and lost to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA finals 4-2. That Bulls

team won a regular season record 72 games, later broken by the

Warriors (73 in 2015-2016). However, until another team in franchise

history delivers a championship like the 1978-79 team, one will be

hard-pressed to go any other way. Buoyed by a 4-3 NBA Finals loss

one year earlier to the Washington Bullets, the Sonics atoned the

following year. The Sonics went 52-30, garnering the No. 1 seed in

the Western Conference. The Sonics disposed of the Lakers 4-1 in

the Conference Semifinals and outlasted the Phoenix Suns 4-3 in

the Conference Finals before defeating the Bullets 4-1 in the NBA

Finals in the rematch despite losing the first game of the series.

Williams led the team in scoring 19.2 points per game followed by

Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson averaging 15.9 points per contest.

Denver Nuggets Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the

game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests

that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have

decided to defy those odds. 

The Denver Nuggets were established in 1967, entering the ABA as the Denver Rockets. In 1974, the Rockets were rebranded as the Nuggets. In 1974, the franchise planned its move into the NBA, and their new home venue, McNichols Arena. Team ownership created a contest to choose a new team nickname because "Rockets" was already used by the Houston Rockets. The prevailing choice was "Nuggets", in honor of the original Nuggets team in Denver from 1948–50, the last year as a charter member of the NBA. Their new logo was a miner "discovering" an ABA ball.

Today, I put together a Nuggets Dream Team. In the Rocky Mountain state, The NFL’s Denver Broncos draw the most year round interest and while the Nuggets lack an NBA championship to their resume, the franchise has seen some exciting basketball at times. 

The best seasons in franchise history have been 1975-1976 and 2008-2009. With the former, the Nuggets went 60-24 in the regular season and reached the ABA Finals 4-2 to the New Jersey Nets. In 2008-2009, the Nuggets went 54-28 and reached the Western Conference Finals, losing 4-2 to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers. In 1994, the No. 8 seeded Nuggets upset the top-seeded Seattle Supersonics 3-2 to become the first No. 8 seed to upset the No. 1 seed. One round later, the Nuggets pushed the Utah Jazz to seven games before losing 4-3. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the Nuggets for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Nuggets during a season of being a contender does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Nuggets during bad is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Lafayette “Fat” Lever.

Lever played for three teams over the course of his 11-year career but his time in Denver was the most impactful. In a Nuggets uniform, he averaged 17.0 points per game 7.5 assists and 7.6 rebounds. Lever recorded many triple-doubles and was also one of the best defensive point guards of his time.

Lever was a two-time All-Star, All-NBA second team in 1987 and NBA All-Defensive second team in 1988. At one point in his career, Lever joined Magic Johnson as the only players since the NBA/ABA merger to have at least two games in a season of having recorded at least 24 points and 18 assists.

Shooting guard: David Thompson.

Thompson's career with the Nuggets was cut short by a substance abuse problem but while he played for the franchise he was one of the best players in the NBA. Thompson was nicknamed “Skywalker” as he averaged 20 points per game or more and all but one season with the Nuggets. His best season came in 1977-78 when he averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Thompson was a four-time All-Star, three with the Nuggets. He was the NBA All-Star game MVP in 1979, two-time all NBA first team, ABA All-Star in 1976 ABA All-Star game MVP in 1976 and ABA Rookie of the Year in 1976. 

Small forward: Alex English. 

English was definitely the best player in Denver Nuggets history and one of the most underrated in NBA history. In eleven seasons with Denver, English averaged 25.9 points and 5.9 rebounds and was an eight-time All-Star. He led the NBA in scoring in the 1982-1983 season.

The Hall of Famer’s best season was in 1985-86 when he had per-game averages of 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. English was an eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA second team and was the NBA scoring champion in 1983.

Power forward: Dan Issel. 

Issel has a multi-layered legacy with the Nuggets as both a player and a code. Issel began his career in the ABA as a member of the Kentucky Colonels. He then made a seamless transition into the NBA with the Nuggets averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game over the course of 10 seasons.

Issell remained with the Nuggets following the ABA/NBA merger in 1976 and represented the Nuggets in the 1977 All-Star Game. He was a productive scorer for the Nuggets as he surpassed 20 points per game in five of his eight seasons with the franchise.

Center: Nikola Jokic. 

Though Jokic, who is nicknamed “The Joker,” has played just five seasons, he has already vaulted himself into the starting lineup on this team. In 2018-2019, Jokic became the first Nugget to earn All NBA first team since David Thompson. In his career, Jokic is averaging 20.1 points per game, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

Jokic is a two-time All-Star and was NBA All-Rookie first team in 2016.  Jokic already ranks among the top 10 on the all-time list in NBA history for triple doubles, he leads European players in that category and holds the record for the fastest triple double in NBA history.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf: Though Abdul-Rauf is known for the controversy surrounding his National Anthem protest, his career performance as a Denver Nugget cannot be denied. Abdul-Rauf averaged 16 points per contest in the six seasons that he played for the Nuggets. Abdul-Rauf was also a pivotal figure in 1994 when the Nuggets’ aforementioned upset of Seattle. In 1992-1993, Abdul-Rauf was voted the NBA most improved player. 

Carmelo Anthony: Anthony was the number two overall pick in the 2003 draft that also included LeBron James. Anthony, who is now a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, averaged 28.4 points in his eight years as a Nugget. Anthony, along with then teammate Chauncey Billups, was a vital cog in the Nuggets reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2009. Anthony is a 10-time All Star and 6-time All NBA (two as a second teamer; four as a first teamer). 

Byron Beck: Beck's career with the Nuggets overlapped the franchise’s time in the ABA as the Denver Rockets. In his 10 seasons with the franchise, Beck was a two-time ABA All-Star, averaging 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Beck played a mixture of both center and power forward. He was not blessed with tremendous skill but was a hard worker and tenacious rebounder. 

Chauncey Billups: Billups is well known for his time as a Detroit Piston, whom he helped guide to an NBA Finals upset of the Los Angeles Lakers and receive finals MVP. Billups, however, was excellent in a Nuggets uniform. Phillips, who was a native of Colorado, averaged 16.9 points per game and 5.0 assists in a Nuggets uniform. Billups is a five-time All-Star and two-time NBA all-defensive second team. Billups also played a pivotal role in getting the Nuggets to the Western Conference finals. 

Marcus Camby: Throughout his career, Camby was a defensive stalwart. Camby played six seasons with the Nuggets and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He is also a four-time NBA All-Defense selection (two as a first-teamer). Camby led the NBA in blocked shots four times, three in a nuggets uniform. He is 12th in NBA history in blocked shots. 

Bobby Jones:

Though Jones spent most of his career as a sixth man with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Hall of Famer enjoyed four very solid years with the Nuggets. Jones averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game but his hallmark was as a defensive standout. Jones was an NBA All-Star twice in a Nuggets uniform in his four seasons.

Antonio McDyess:

McDyess is a player that tends to be overlooked among valuable players in Nuggets franchise history. In his six seasons with the Nuggets, McDyess averaged 18.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. McDyess was an NBA All-Star in 2001 and NBA third team in 1999. 

Dikembe Mutombo:

When the Nuggets drafted Mutombo with the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA draft in 1991, he quickly played a pivotal role and turned the Nuggets from one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA to one of the best. At seven foot two, 260, Mutombo was one of the best interior defenders in the history of the NBA. he had a great combination of height power and long arms. Mutombo averaged 12.9 points and 12.3 rebounds along with 3.8 blocked shots in his career as a Denver Nugget. Mutombo played 18 years with six different teams and was a four-time defensive player of the year on the way to a Hall of Fame career. Mutombo is second in NBA history in blocked shots. 

Ralph Simpson: 

Simpson was a fixture during the franchise's ABA era when they were known as the Denver Rockets. Simpson was a five-time ABA All-Star and All ABA three times, one as a first-teamer. Simpson averaged 16.7 points per game but eclipsed the 20 points per game plateau on three occasions. Simpson scored a combined 11,785 points in both the ABA and NBA era. His 9,953 points were the most for a Nuggets player during the ABA era.

Kiki Vandeweghe:

Vandeweghe spent his first four seasons in the NBA in Denver and throughout his career he was a prolific scorer. Both of his All-Star seasons came in a Nuggets uniform. Vandeweghe averaged 19.7 points per game but his legacy as a Nugget is defined by scoring 50 or more points in two record-setting NBA games. One was a 51-point game, which is the highest combined scoring game in NBA history, a 186-184 triple overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons. Vandeweghe also scored 50 points in another game, which was a 163-155 win over the San Antonio Spurs, at the time the highest scoring NBA regulation game of all time.

Head coach: Doug Moe

Moe was the Nuggets head coach for 10 seasons and an assistant for six more, two different stints. Moe led the Nuggets to more victories, 432, then any head coach in franchise history. Moe led the Nuggets to the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons and was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1987-88. Moe was the epitome of a coach that used a run-and-gun style play on offense. Moe had his team shoot the basketball before the opponent could set up their defense. Moe was a proponent of diagramming very few plays instead relying on ball movement screens and constant cuts to the basket. That style of play is often seen today.

Team: 1975-1976. 

This version of the Nuggets was the last season of the ABA before the merger. Led by Thompson, Issel, Jones, and Simpson, the Nuggets reached their only ABA Finals, losing to the eventual champion New Jersey Nets. In the semifinals, the Nuggets outlasted the Kentucky Colonels 4-3. The Nuggets won 60 games over an 84 game schedule. The following season, the Nuggets moved into the NBA. The Nuggets had five players average double-figures in scoring.