Sam Presti from Oklahoma City said something three years ago. Maybe people did not hear it because the Thunder team was not good then. Also, he used difficult words.

Presti said, "Labor omnia vincit." This means "hard work wins" or "slow work wins." It is a saying from Oklahoma. He said it after the 2021-2022 season.

It is the same for the Thunder. They worked hard. It was not fast.

They won every game.

The Thunder team is good. Three years ago, they did not win many games. This year, they won many games and the NBA championship. They beat the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder's best player is very good. Most of their good players will play next year. They also have new young players who will join the team. Other teams may be worried.

They are young. The players who start are 27, 26, 26, 24 and 23 years old. They are brave. They can play well for a long time.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, "We can get better. It is fun to get better. We can all get better. Many of us are not at our best yet. We can grow as players and as a team. I am happy about the future. This is a good start."

It is good they are doing well now.

Many teams have questions for next season. Oklahoma City does not. Some players are hurt. LeBron James will play his 23rd season. Stephen Curry will be 38. Kevin Durant will play his 18th season. Philadelphia wants Joel Embiid to be healthy. New York will get a new coach.

Oklahoma City has many good things.

Rick said: "This team has good players."

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren like playing together. They do not care who scores points. Caruso and Hartenstein play well for the Thunder team. Dort is very good at defense. He knows some people do not understand how good he is.

The players don't care about showing off. The leaders don't care too.

Caruso said, "You cannot be sure of anything in the game. Teams change every year. Players can move or get hurt. Things can happen that you cannot stop. It is great to win. You cannot think you will win every time. We will be ready to play next year and try to win again."

Presti plans the team, but he does not talk much. Clay Bennett owns the team, and he also does not talk much. Mark Daigneault is a calm coach for the Thunder team.

Daigneault said, "Maybe you will not finish like us." He said, "I really wanted this for them. I was very happy we did it. Now they can feel this. They earned it because they work hard. They are good at their job and want to win together. I really wanted this for them.

The Thunder are not done yet. They are just beginning. They have many chances to get better players. They can also pay for a new player if they want. And now, they have to play well to win again.

Hard work helps us win. We still have more work to do.

Presti said in 2022, "We have a lot of work to do. We need to work hard. This is what our place is about. This is what our team is about."