Kendrick Perkins explains why he won’t compare 2025 OKC Thunder to Durant and Westbrook era

Follow us on Google Discover

Kendrick Perkins refused to compare the 2025 OKC Thunder to his time with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, despite their disappointing loss this weekend, are still the most dominant force in the NBA today.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about this current iteration of the Thunder, and how they stack up against the era of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

Kendrick Perkins: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook-led side not close to the 2025 OKC Thunder

Kendrick Perkins was a guest on All The Smoke recently, where he discussed the Oklahoma City Thunder and how successful they are.

He believes this current Thunder squad plays for each other, something his OKC side with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook never did. And that willingness to play for each other makes them far better.

“I can’t. That team plays for each other. I can’t compare the two. They want each other to be successful. I’m looking at this team…

“I believe they’re gonna beat the Warriors’ record. I’ve just never seen a team in my lifetime that has stacked that many two-way players. Both sides of the ball, especially at the perimeter…”

2025-26 OKC Thunder yet to face serious adversity

While Kendrick Perkins makes a really strong point about the Oklahoma City Thunder and their unity as a side, it is hard to place them with the NBA’s all-time great teams just yet.

For all the dominance the Thunder have shown, they haven’t truly been tested in the way champions are. Now, one can argue that their dominance is so great that they are beyond testing, but that’s not entirely true.

The Thunder showed signs of weakness a few times. Their series against the Nuggets and Pacers during the playoffs last year showed a vulnerability when they aren’t on the front foot.

And the same thing happened in their shocking loss to the Spurs this weekend. For OKC to be considered one of the great teams, at some point, they will have to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Read More: Victor Wembanyama fires subtle shot at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC after NBA Cup clash