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For the rest of the NBA, the scariest part about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s ascent is their youth.

Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 27 years old. Fellow All-Star Jalen Williams is 24. Chet Holmgren, the big man who showed his immense value in their title run last season after enduring years of health setbacks, is 23. Even beyond their celebrated core, the list of dynamic, two-way talents on the roster who haven’t hit their prime yet goes on from there (case in point: Alex Caruso, who is 31, is considered the resident ‘OG’).

But what often goes unmentioned, and what makes the entire operation even more elite, is that head coac

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