Their top three players are all between the ages of 23 and 26, and none of them are going anywhere. Few teams in history have ever been this well-positioned for sustained winning, even if we exist in an era designed to discourage sustained winning.

While adapting to his first Summer League schedule, Thunder rookie Nikola Topic reacted to a back-to-back in Utah after Thursday’s win against the Nets. Topic finished with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep, four assists, and two steals in his first game since he was selected 12th overall in last year's draft.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder was never too inexperienced after all. It was who it thought it was. An NBA champion.