Westbrook, Durant, and Harden shatter scoring records, proving their enduring dominance as the original Thunder Big 3 cements their legendary status.
The new era of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball is thriving. OKC is home to the reigning NBA champions, the reigning Most Valuable Player, another young All-Star, yet another likely soon-to-be All-Star and the league's current best record.
But as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are presently building their legacies, the first era Thunder Big 3 continue to add to their own legendary careers. Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden may be long removed from OKC and on the wrong side of 35 years old, but the esteemed trio aren't slowing down.
Westbrook recently passed Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the top scoring point guard in NBA history. It's an extraordinary accomplishment. Just think of all the iconic point guards throughout the years. The list of names is staggering. Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Jerry West, Isiah Thomas, Oscar Robertson, Chris Paul, John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Bob Cousy, Walt Frazier, Damian Lillard, Gary Payton, Kyrie Irving. None of them have scored as many total points as the 2017 MVP who played his first 11 seasons in Oklahoma City.
Ready for the craziest part, though? Westbrook's move to the top of the point guard perch means that the first Thunder Big 3 are now the #1 scoring point guard of all time, the #2 scoring small forward of all time and the #3 scoring shooting guard of all time. That's right, Sam Presti not only drafted three MVP's in back to back to back seasons, but he also drafted an all-time top 3 scorer at their position in three consecutive years.
If you strip away positions, Westbrook, Harden and Durant are all ranked in the top 15 scorers in NBA history. Durant recently passed Dirk Nowitzki for the #6 spot, Harden just passed Shaquille O'Neal for the #9 spot and Westbrook, of course, passed Robertson for the #15 spot.
That celebrated Thunder Big 3 might not want to get too comfortable with their spots in the all-time rankings, though. Because this current Thunder Big 3 is just getting warmed up.
Top 3 Scoring Point Guards in NBA History
1. Russell Westbrook. 26,906 points.
2. Oscar Robertson. 26,710 points.
3. Steph Curry. 26,333 points.
Top 3 Scoring Small Forwards in NBA History
1. LeBron James. 42,746 points.
2. Kevin Durant. 31,580 points.
3. Julius Erving. 30,026.
Top 3 Scoring Shooting Guards in NBA History
1. Kobe Bryant. 33,643 points.
2. Michael Jordan. 32,292 points.
3. James Harden. 28,727 points.