ESPN’s Tim Bontemps emphasizes Celtics to not squander opportunity, uses 2010s Thunder as cautionary tale

In his latest ESPN story, Tim Bontemps discusses how the Boston Celtics must not squander their chance at making the 2022 NBA Finals and mentions how winning in the playoffs should not be taken for granted by bringing up the 2010s Oklahoma City Thunder.

“The Oklahoma City Thunder were near the top of the basketball world in 2012, having reached the Finals with a roster featuring three future MVPs — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden — all of whom were within their first five years in the league.

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When the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in five games in the Finals, the assumption was it would be the first of many OKC appearances in the NBA’s championship round. They appeared to be a dynasty in the making.

That dynasty never happened.

Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets before the next season began, and year after year, a combination of injuries, bad luck and excruciating playoff losses saw the Thunder fail to return to the Finals before eventually breaking apart.

The lesson? Don’t assume another chance is coming”

While Bontemps is correct in his statement, it was a painful reminder for Thunder fans of the lost opportunities the franchise suffered with the Durant, Westbrook and Harden trio due to circumstances mostly out of their control — such as injuries.

While this version of the Celtics are showered in youth as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both 24 years and 25 years old respectively, succeeding in the NBA playoffs is extremely difficult that relies on luck almost as much as talent.

The Celtics will have a chance to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 with a Game 7 matchup against the Miami Heat on Sunday after suffering a Game 6 loss on Friday.