Thunder Buddies for Life: OKC Thunder MyNBA LeBron Era (2K24)

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Rundown
In NBA history, few "What Ifs?" loom larger than the KD, Russ, Harden, and Ibaka Thunder. Their potential rise from promising young core to NBA champions never materialized, leaving fans pondering what could have been.

After improving from 23 wins in 2008-2009 to 50 wins in 2009-2010, with a hard-fought playoff exit against the Lakers, the 2010-2011 season held high expectations for the Thunder. LeBron James' "I'm taking my talents to South Beach..." overshadowed the offseason, but a young, talented core—Kevin Durant leading with 30.1 PPG, Russell Westbrook improving, rookie James Harden showing brilliance, and Serge Ibaka's defensive prowess—waited in the wings.

In this LeBron Era MyNBA, I aim to rewrite their story, exploring the "What if..." scenarios. While striving for realism, draft picks will reflect players' actual careers rather than pre-draft rankings.

I have limited gaming time due to family commitments and a demanding job (50-60 hours/week). To progress efficiently, I SuperSim the first three quarters of games, only playing the fourth if within 10 points. Marquee matchups receive detailed reports, including box scores and analysis, while other games are summarized with simplified stats for several at once.

Weekly updates will feature NBA standings, power rankings, and bi-monthly updates with league leaders, player/team stats, and standings. Draft classes are selected to reflect players' actual career trajectories rather than pre-draft projections, ensuring realism in player development.

This structured approach allows me to delve into the "What Ifs?" of the Thunder's dynasty potential while balancing real-life constraints with virtual exploration.

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2010-2011 Oklahoma City Thunder

Overview:
Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished 50-32. Their 50-32 record earned them a tie with the Trail Blazers and Spurs, however due to tiebreakers, they were the 8-seed entering the playoffs earning them a first round matchup with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. After dropping the first two games in Los Angeles by 8 and 3 points, the Thunder rallied to win games three and four by 5 and 21 points. After the Lakers cruised to an easy 111-87 game win, putting the Thunder on the edge of elimination, game six was a nail-biter. With the Thunder leading 94-93 in the final seconds, and on the precipice of forcing a game 7, a Pau Gasol tip-in off a Kobe Bryant miss with 0.5 seconds remaining, won the game for the Lakers and eliminated the young, scrappy Thunder. While the disappointment and sadness were palpable in the Thunder postgame locker room, the NBA was on notice: the Oklahoma City Thunder were a force to be reckoned with.

Key Players:

Kevin Durant (Forward):
In the 2009-2010 season, Kevin Durant solidified his status as one of the league's premier scorers, averaging 30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Durant finished 2nd in MVP voting and garnered All-NBA 1st team honors. His incredible scoring ability, combined with his length and versatility, makes him a focal point of the Thunder's offense and a matchup nightmare for opponents.

Russell Westbrook (Guard):
Russell Westbrook continued his ascent as one of the NBA's top point guards during the 2009-2010 season. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game, showcasing his explosive athleticism and playmaking skills. Westbrook's ability to drive to the basket, distribute the ball, and defend at a high level adds a crucial dimension to Oklahoma City's game plan.

James Harden (Guard-Forward):
As a rookie in the 2009-2010 season, James Harden made significant contributions off the bench for the Thunder. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, demonstrating his scoring prowess and versatility, and earning All-Rookie 2nd Team honors. Harden's ability to score from the perimeter and create his own shot adds depth to the Thunder's backcourt rotation.

Serge Ibaka (Forward-Center):
Serge Ibaka emerged as a defensive force for the Thunder in the 2009-2010 season, averaging 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. His shot-blocking ability, combined with his athleticism and improving offensive skills, makes him a key contributor in both protecting the rim and finishing plays around the basket.

Expectations:
Following their strong showing in the previous season's playoffs, where they lost a competitive 6-game series to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder are aiming for deeper postseason success in 2010-2011. The continued development of their young stars positions them as a team on the rise in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2010-2011 Roster
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
2	Thabo Sefolosha	SG/SF	26	6'6"	222	$3.00M
3	Nate Robinson	PG/SG	26	5'9"	180	$4.20M
4	Nick Collison	PF/C	30	6'10"	255	$13.25M
5	Kendrick Perkins	C	25	6'10"	280	$4.39M
6	Eric Maynor	PG/SG	23	6'3"	175	$1.42M
7	Royal Ivey	SG/PG	28	6'4"	200	$1.35M
8	Nazr Mohammed	C	33	6'10"	250	$6.88M
9	Serge Ibaka	PF/C	21	6'10"	245	$1.20M
13	James Harden	SG/PG	21	6'5"	220	$4.30M
14	Daequan Cook	SG/SF	23	6'5"	205	$2.17M
35	Kevin Durant	SF/PF	22	6'10"	230	$6.05M
42	Morris Peterson	SF/SG	33	6'7"	215	$6.64M
45	Cole Aldrich	C	22	6'11"	250	$1.11M

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Thunder Edge Bulls in Thriller: Durant's Heroics Seal 136-134 Victory


Kevin Durant finishes strong at the rim for two of his game high 40 points.

In a breathtaking season opener, the Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly defeated the Chicago Bulls 136-134 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game was marked by dramatic swings and clutch plays in the final minutes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

From the outset, both teams traded baskets relentlessly, with the score tied at 38 after the first quarter. The Thunder gained a slight edge by halftime, leading 67-61, thanks to efficient shooting and solid team play.

The third quarter saw the Bulls mounting a comeback effort, led by 11 Luol Deng points, outscoring the Thunder 37-31 to tie the game heading to the fourth quarter.

Derrick Rose's valiant effort (35 pts, 11 asts) fell just short in the Bulls 138-136 loss.

The Bulls, trailing 124-115 with just under three minutes left, staged a remarkable comeback, embarking on a 13-4 run to tie the game at 128-128 with 1:26 remaining. However, James Harden quickly swung the momentum back in OKC's favor with a crucial three-pointer, pushing the Thunder ahead 131-128.

Derrick Rose, relentless as ever, was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to trim the deficit to 131-130. Russell Westbrook then stepped up for the Thunder, converting a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 133-130 with 36.8 seconds left.

Not to be outdone, Rose orchestrated another Bulls score, finding Joakim Noah off a pick-and-roll for an easy layup, bringing the score to 133-132 with 22.3 seconds remaining. The Bulls opted to foul Westbrook intentionally, who split his free throws, making it a 134-132 game.

Rose seized the moment once again, grabbing a missed free throw and driving coast-to-coast for a thunderous dunk to tie the game at 134 with mere seconds left on the clock.

Yet, it was Kevin Durant who ultimately sealed the win for the Thunder. Coming out of a timeout, Durant attacked the basket off a Serge Ibaka screen, finishing strong to put OKC up 136-134 with just 6.5 seconds remaining.

In the final play, the Bulls tried to force overtime, but Rose, despite a valiant effort, was met at the rim by Ibaka, whose contested defense forced a miss as time expired.

Russell Westbrook flexes after finishing through contact for an and-one opportunity. Westbrook finished with 30 pts, 12 asts, and 5 rebounds.

Derrick Rose led the charge for the Bulls, finishing with an impressive stat line of 35 points, 11 assists, and 2 rebounds. Luol Deng also contributed significantly with 32 points and 4 rebounds.

However, it was Kevin Durant who shined the brightest for the Thunder, delivering a stellar performance with 40 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Russell Westbrook complemented Durant's efforts with 30 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds, showcasing his dynamic playmaking abilities.

Despite shooting 48% from the field (50-104) and 47.6% from three-point range (10-21), the Bulls struggled defensively against the Thunder's efficient offense, which shot 55.3% from the field (57-103) and an impressive 66.7% from beyond the arc (10-15).

James Harden provided 17 points and 8 assists, leading the Thunder bench who scored 40 points in the victory.

Chicago Bulls (0-1) at Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0)
Oct 27, 2010 1 2 3 4 Final Chicago 38 23 37 36 134 Oklahoma City 38 29 31 38 136 Top Performers Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose - 35 pts, 11 ast, 2 reb Luol Deng - 32 pts, 4 reb, 2 stl Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant - 40 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk Russell Westbrook - 30 pts, 12 ast, 5 reb	Team Stats Comparison CHI OKC FG Made-Att 50-104 57-103 3PT Made-Att 10-21 10-15 FT Made-Att 24-28 12-13 Rebounds 29 44 Assists 29 36 Turnovers 11 19 Steals 11 3 Blocks 1 3
Chicago Bulls STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Derrick Rose 36 13/26 2/5 7/8 2 11 1 0 4 35 Luol Deng 35 14/24 2/3 2/2 4 0 2 0 1 32 Carlos Boozer 32 5/8 0/0 2/2 5 5 3 0 3 12 Joakim Noah 31 4/8 0/0 3/4 9 4 2 1 0 11 Ronnie Brewer 28 3/5 0/0 0/0 2 3 0 0 0 6 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Taj Gibson 22 1/4 0/0 2/4 3 1 1 0 0 4 Kyle Korver 19 6/12 4/6 4/4 2 2 0 0 1 20 C.J. Watson 16 1/9 0/3 2/2 0 2 2 0 1 4 Keith Bogans 12 3/5 2/4 0/0 1 1 0 0 0 8 Omer Asik 9 0/0 0/0 2/2 1 0 0 0 1 2
Oklahoma City Thunder STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Kevin Durant 42 17/32 3/5 3/3 10 7 1 1 4 40 Russell Westbrook 36 11/23 1/2 7/8 5 12 0 0 6 30 Serge Ibaka 35 8/14 0/0 0/0 9 0 0 2 1 16 Kendrick Perkins 30 3/6 0/0 0/0 8 2 1 0 1 6 Thabo Sefolosha 23 2/4 0/0 0/0 2 1 0 0 2 4 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS James Harden 30 6/9 3/4 2/2 0 8 1 0 3 17 Nick Collison 16 0/0 0/0 0/0 5 1 0 0 0 0 Daequon Cook 14 6/9 2/3 0/0 4 0 0 0 2 14 Eric Maynor 14 4/6 1/1 0/0 1 5 0 0 0 9

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127 |AT| 96

Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) at Detroit Pistons (1-0)
Oct 29, 2010 1 2 3 4 Final Oklahoma City 24 25 43 35 127 Detroit 26 22 23 25 96 Top Performers Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook - 35 pts, 9a st, 7 reb, 2 stl James Harden - 29 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 6 stl Detroit Pistons Tayshaun Prince - 20 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast Greg Monroe - 18 pts, 17 reb, 3 ast	Team Stats Comparison OKC DET FG Made-Att 35/83 50/95 3PT Made-Att 3/12 3/9 FT Made-Att 23/28 24/29 Rebounds 48 46 Assists 20 24 Turnovers 22 9 Steals 5 19 Blocks 2 4

108 |AT| 124

Utah Jazz (2-1) at Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0)
Oct 31, 2010 1 2 3 4 Final Utah 21 23 30 34 108 Oklahoma City 28 25 29 42 124 Top Performers Utah Jazz Al Jefferson - 17 pts, 13 reb, 4 blk Gordon Hayward - 14 pts, 7 ast, 6 reb Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant - 35 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast Russell Westbrook - 33 pts, 13 ast, 4 reb	Team Stats Comparison UTH OKC FG Made-Att 39/96 52/96 3PT Made-Att 3/19 3/11 FT Made-Att 17/24 17/22 Rebounds 46 48 Assists 22 27 Turnovers 17 16 Steals 6 6 Blocks 5 3

137 |AT| 109

Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) at Los Angeles Clippers (1-4)
Nov 2, 2010 1 2 3 4 Final Oklahoma City 41 33 34 29 137 Los Angeles 29 23 21 36 109 Top Performers Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden - 37 pts, 8 ast, 3 reb Russell Westbrook - 34 pts, 13 ast, 5 reb, 2 stl Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon - 29 pts, 4 ast, 3 reb, 1 stl Blake Griffin - 18 pts, 15 reb, 4 ast	Team Stats Comparison OKC LAC FG Made-Att 59/99 45/94 3PT Made-Att 8/19 7/18 FT Made-Att 11/13 12/19 Rebounds 42 38 Assists 29 22 Turnovers 10 18 Steals 11 5 Blocks 5 1

112 |AT| 117

Wesley Matthews scorched the nets, dropping 29 points on 7/12 shooting from three.

Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1) at Portland Trailblazers (4-2)
Nov 4, 2010 1 2 3 4 Final Oklahoma City 25 22 30 35 112 Portland 27 23 32 35 117 Top Performers Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook - 32 pts, 11 ast, 7 reb, 1 stl James Harden - 32 pts, 8 ast, 3 reb Portland Trailblazers Wesley Matthews - 29 pts, 3 ast, 3 reb, 1 stl LaMarcus Aldridge - 26 pts, 11 reb, 2 stl	Team Stats Comparison OKC POR FG Made-Att 49/96 47/100 3PT Made-Att 7/17 12/24 FT Made-Att 7/8 11/20 Rebounds 44 41 Assists 32 31 Turnovers 22 12 Steals 5 9 Blocks 6 0