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Oklahoma City Thunder · Dubbed by most analysts before 2023-24 as a “team on the rise,” the Oklahoma City Thunder turned that harmless endorsement into one of the NBA season’s largest understatements. Unwilling to rest on his success after earning a first-time All-Star appearance, an All-NBA First Team nod, and a top-five finish in Most Valuable Player voting in 2022-23, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed to turn an incredible season into something even more unfathomable. Matching excellence on both sides of the floor, the star guard became one of just three players to average at least 30 points (30.1), while also leading the NBA in total steals (150). He also became the Thunder’s new record holder for the most 30-point games in a single season (45). Matching his big-game poise from the moment he arrived, Williams has provided Oklahoma City with yet another up-and-coming star, climbing to No. 12 in fourth-quarter points (437) in just Year Two, with elite scoring and efficiency marks across the board. Eyeing their first postseason series win since 2016, the Thunder are uniquely built to remedy Oklahoma City’s postseason past, while also reminding the NBA of what the future looks like. · State of Mint