There are people saying OK hasn't paid their dues? This is like he dumbest shit I've ever heard. What dues are they supposed to pay besides winning? Are they required to lose for years and stew in mediocrity before they win a title? I would love to see them win so that all the experience nonsense gets thrown out.
I would say they have paid their dues just on an abbreviated schedule. The run through the playoffs this year is pretty crazy.
Durant rookie year with Sonics was 20-62
2008-2009 1st year: 23-59 including starting 1-13 (Firing PJ Carlisimo) and going 3-29 through the first 32 games. They finished the last 50 going 20-30. They went from not being remotely competitive to being very competitive in most games.
2009-2010 2nd year: 50-32 playoff birth as an 8 seed (The West was so good). 1 Pau Gasol block out away from extending the series to 7 games against the eventual champ Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
2010-2011 3rd year: 55-27, 4th seed in the playoffs. Beat Denver 4-1, Fought like hell to beat Memphis in 7 including a bat shit crazy 3 overtime game 6. Lost to Dallas 4-1 in Western Conference finals after giving up multiple 4th quarter leads.
2011-2012 4th year: abbreviated season 47-19 2nd seed playoffs, swept defending champ Dallas 4-0, beat Lakers 4-1, backside sweep of 20 win streak Spurs to win West finals 4-2. Finals birth.