Relive the historic 2012 postseason when OKC’s rising stars toppled Kobe Bryant’s Lakers and battled LeBron James’ "Heatles," marking a legendary passing of the torch in basketball history.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 postseason.
Although it was 14 years ago, the series had a lasting impact and will long be remembered by both fanbases.
Just like this season, the Thunder and Lakers met in the Western Conference Semifinals back in 2012. OKC was the #2 seed and was coming off of a 4-0 series sweep of the Dallas Mavericks. LA was the #3 seed and was coming off of a long 4-3 series win over the Denver Nuggets. The young, upstart Oklahoma City team was led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The veteran, championship laden Lakers were headed by the iconic Kobe Bryant along with the double big tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
The series proved to be a growing point for the future MVP trio of Durant, Westbrook and Harden. Just two years prior, they faced off against Bryant and the Lakers and lost a hard fought 4-2 series before LA proceeded to go on and win a championship. Defeating the big bad Lakers by a count of 4-1 felt like a rite of passage and a passing of the baton. Meanwhile, the matchup was historically significant in that it was the last playoff series of Bryant's legendary career.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing off against LeBron James in the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 postseason.
Although it was 14 years ago, the series had a lasting impact and will long be remembered by both fanbases.
After overcoming Dirk Nowitski and the champion Mavericks in the 1st round, Kobe Bryant and the champion Lakers in the 2nd round and Tim Duncan and the champion San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder met the famous Miami "Heatles" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the 2012 NBA Finals. The youthful possible dynasty in the making versus the modern super team. It seemed like this could be a preview of the next several Finals series.
Of course, every Thunder fan knows how the series ended. The image of a downtrodden Durant, Westbrook and Harden huddled together but thinking they'd be back many times. And how nothing in sports is guaranteed.
Still, it was a significant page in OKC Thunder history. The small market turned major league city was on the biggest stage in the basketball world. As time as faded and a championship has been won, that team is looked back with reverence and pride from Thunder fans. Meanwhile, he matchup was historically significant in that it was the first NBA championship of LeBron James' legendary career.
It's been 14 years since the Thunder played the Lakers and, separately, LeBron James in the playoffs. And this time, Oklahoma City is hoping the series leads to something historically significant a bit further down the line.