Three years ago, Sam Presti, the general manager for Oklahoma City, made a promise that people might have forgotten. This was probably because the Thunder team was playing very badly at the time, and also because what he said was difficult to understand.

After the 2021-22 season, Presti quoted Oklahoma's motto, "Labor omnia vincit." He explained that it could mean "hard work conquers all" or "slow work conquers all," depending on his interpretation.

This applies to the Thunder, who worked hard and carefully.

They achieved total victory.

Just three years after winning only 24 games, the Thunder won 84 games this season and became NBA champions, beating the Indiana Pacers in a tough seven-game final series. This success should concern other NBA teams. They have the MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he and all of Oklahoma City's main players are signed for next season. Also, Nikola Topic, a good player from the 2024 draft, did not play this season because of an injury but is expected to join the team. The Thunder also have two early draft picks in this year's draft.

With a young core of starting players aged between 23 and 27, they're an ambitious team that should be competitive for seasons to come.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won many awards including MVP, believes the team can still improve. He mentioned that many players are not yet at their peak, and he is optimistic about the team's future, considering this championship a good start.

Also, they seem to be reaching their peak performance at a very convenient time.

Many teams are unsure about next season, but Oklahoma City is not. Several important players, like Jayson Tatum (Boston), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee), and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana), have Achilles injuries and will probably miss most or all of next season. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will start his 23rd season, and Stephen Curry of Golden State will be 38 next season. Kevin Durant, who is moving to Houston soon, will begin his 18th season. Philadelphia's success depends on Joel Embiid being healthy, and New York will get a new coach.

Oklahoma City appears to have all the key elements for success.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted that the team has a wealth of talented players.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren enjoy playing together and don't care who gets the credit. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have fit well into the roles the Thunder gave them. Luguentz Dort is a strong defender, even if he knows that many people don't fully understand how good he is at it.

It's not just the players who don't care about showing off; the leaders also feel the same way.

Caruso said that nothing in the league is certain, and he thinks people often forget this important fact each year. He explained that a team can change at any time because of a trade, an injury, or something else they can't control. Winning at the highest level of this sport is truly amazing. It's a bit unrealistic to think you can just easily win every year. He promised that they will be ready on the first day next year to improve and try to win again.

Presti, who planned everything, rarely speaks publicly, and the owner, Clay Bennett, also avoids public speaking. Coach Mark Daigneault is a calm leader who guides the Thunder team well, even during difficult times.

Daigneault said there was no guarantee they would finish in the same way. He really wanted them to succeed and was very happy they achieved it and could experience it, because they deserved it. He admired their attitude, how professional and competitive they were, and how they always put the team first. He repeated that he really wanted them to succeed.

The Thunder's journey is not over; it's just starting. Presti has many draft picks, and the team has enough money to get a new player if they want to. Also, they now have a championship to protect.

Hard work conquers everything, and there's still more to be done.

“We have a lot of hard work in front of us,” Presti said that day in 2022. “We have to grind in and do it. That’s what the state is about. That’s what the history of the community is about. That’s what the basketball team here is about.”