Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have been trending toward this direction for a little over a year now. I must boast that I predicted “J Dub’s” ascension after his first preseason. However, I’ll admit that I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.
Just 2.5 seasons after getting drafted 12th overall by the Thunder out of Santa Clara—a university that previously only produced one NBA prospect (Steve Nash)—Dub has etched his name into Thunder lore as one of the best to play inside the arena on 100 W. Reno Ave.
Joining the likes of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Chris Paul, and his current teammate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dub shares something familiar with four of the five on that list: getting to his first All-Star Game in his third season. Yes, SGA is the only player out of OKC’s five All-Stars who didn’t reach his first ASG in his third year.
That’s beside the point, though. OKC has had two other All-Star duos—Russ & KD and Russ & Paul George. How does OKC’s newest pairing stack up?
Russ & KD: The Foundation (2010-11)
Before they were MVPs, Durant and Westbrook were two young stars trying to take OKC to the next level. Durant led the league in scoring at 27.7 PPG, while Westbrook (21.9 PPG, 8.2 APG) took a major leap, earning his first All-Star selection. The duo powered OKC to a 55-27 record and a trip to the Western Conference Finals, putting the league on notice that the Thunder were built to last.
Russ & PG13: The Experiment (2017-18)
When OKC paired Westbrook with Paul George, expectations were sky-high. The numbers? Solid. Westbrook (25.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 10.3 APG) averaged another triple-double, while George (21.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG) was one of the league’s best two-way wings. But the team lacked true chemistry, finishing 48-34 and bowing out in the first round to Utah.
SGA & J-Dub: The Present (2024-25)
Now, the Thunder are back—this time led by SGA (32.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.0 APG) and Jalen Williams (21.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG). OKC sits at 38-9, leading the Western Conference with the league’s best record. They aren’t just producing; they’re winning at a historic pace.
So Who’s the Best?
Durant and Westbrook took OKC further in the playoffs than any duo before or after them. Westbrook and George had great individual seasons but lacked postseason success. SGA and Williams? Their story is still being written, but if this dominance carries over into the playoffs, they may cement themselves as the best duo OKC has ever seen.
The torch has been passed. Now it’s on SGA and J-Dub to prove they can finish the job.
