Three years ago, Sam Presti, the general manager of Oklahoma City, made a promise. However, it might have been overlooked for two main reasons: the Thunder were performing very poorly at the time, and his statements were difficult to understand.

After the 2021-22 season, Sam Presti quoted a state motto, "Labor omnia vincit." He explained that this Latin phrase could mean "hard work conquers all" or "slow work conquers all," depending on how he was translating it.

Regardless, this applies to the Thunder, who showed both diligence and methodical patience in their approach.

They asserted complete dominion.

The Thunder, who had only won 24 games three years ago, had an impressive season, winning 84 games and becoming NBA champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers in a challenging seven-game NBA Finals. This success should be a concern for other NBA teams. They have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the Most Valuable Player. He and all of Oklahoma City’s main players are under contract for the next season. Additionally, they have Nikola Topic, a player chosen in the 2024 lottery who did not play this season due to a torn ACL, and they also have two picks among the top 24 in this year’s draft.

This youthful lineup, with starters averaging just under 26 years old, possesses a daring spirit and the potential to be perennial contenders.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and the league's top scorer awards, and is now an NBA champion, stated, "We definitely have room to improve. That's the exciting part of this; many of us can still get better. Not many players on the team are at their best or even close to it. We have a lot of development ahead, both as individuals and as a team. I am very positive about this team's future. This win is certainly a great start."

Moreover, their attainment of this level of proficiency at this specific moment is quite beneficial.

Many teams have questions as they approach next season, but Oklahoma City is not one of them. Several key players, such as Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton, have Achilles injuries and are expected to miss most or all of the upcoming season. Additionally, veteran players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry are nearing the end of their careers, with James entering his 23rd season and Curry turning 38. Kevin Durant is also starting his 18th season after being traded to Houston. Furthermore, Philadelphia's success depends on Joel Embiid returning healthy, and New York will be adjusting to a new coach.

Oklahoma City appears to have everything perfectly arranged for effective operation.

"Pacers coach Rick Carlisle remarked that the team boasted a wealth of exceptional players."

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren clearly work well together on the court, not worrying about who gets individual praise. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have easily adapted to the roles the Thunder assigned them. Luguentz Dort is a very strong defensive player and seems to have realized that some people might not fully appreciate how good he is at defense.

Not only do the players show little interest in self-promotion, but this attitude is also evident among the leadership.

Caruso stated that nothing is guaranteed in the league, emphasizing that people often forget how quickly a team can change due to trades, injuries, or other unforeseen events. He explained that reaching the top of the sport and winning is truly remarkable, and it's somewhat unrealistic to expect to do it every year. He concluded by assuring that they would be ready from the very first day next season to improve and try to win again.

Sam Presti, who created the team's strategy, rarely speaks in public, and owner Clay Bennett is the same. Coach Mark Daigneault, however, remains calm even during difficult times, guiding the Thunder effectively.

Daigneault admitted there's no guarantee of repeating their success, stating he deeply wanted the team to win. He expressed his great happiness that they achieved it, highlighting that they deserved it due to their consistent professionalism, competitive attitude, and strong teamwork, again emphasizing his strong desire for their victory.

For the Thunder, this is not the end, but just the beginning of their path. Presti has many draft picks, and the team has a lot of financial freedom to get another player if they decide it's a good idea. Also, they now have a championship title to defend.

Although hard work eventually leads to success, a significant amount of effort is still required.

Presti explained that they needed to work very hard and be dedicated. He stated that this commitment was central to the values of the state, the community's history, and the basketball team's identity.