Thunder broadcasters reflect on NBA Title, team's growth and future

The Larry O’Brien Trophy is officially in Oklahoma City, and for the Thunder and their fans, it marks the perfect capstone to a breakout season.

The Thunder’s journey to their first NBA championship was filled with grit, growth and, above all, patience — a theme echoed by those who have been with the team every step of the way.

Steve McGehee, Griffin Media’s Thunder reporter, has covered every game this season, both home and away. Reporting live from inside the Paycom Center, McGehee described the moment as a culmination of a decade-long commitment.

"This is our 10th year Griffin Media covering the Thunder home and away, and in year 10, it’s a perfect ten," McGehee said. "We’re celebrating an NBA championship."

Joining him were longtime Thunder TV analysts Chris Fisher and Michael Cage. Fisher, beaming with pride, said the fan in him was "going wild."

"These are the kind of things that you see growing up. You see them on TV, you read about them, all the fun that the cities and teams are having — and now we get to be a part of it. That’s next level," Fisher said. "I can’t believe it. I’m in shock."

For Cage, a former NBA player and now broadcaster, the title was deeply personal.

"This is a 38-year connection with the NBA — 15 as a player, 23 as a broadcaster — and I’ve always worn a suit and tie," Cage said, proudly showing his Thunder championship T-shirt. "Today, I love that I can do this and not get in trouble."

As the postgame celebration unfolded, talk turned to the Thunder’s rise and the team’s vision. Cage said the front office made smart, patient decisions, not just through the draft, but also with offseason acquisitions like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.

"Some teams want to put together a team real quickly," Cage said. "The Thunder said, 'No, we’re gonna build it from the ground up,' and the ground up led them to this day."

Fisher added that the Thunder’s youth — and their unity — helped them reach this point faster than expected.

"They didn’t skip steps," Fisher said. "They wanted to do this the right way. Even Sam Presti said, 'Hey, this might have happened a little sooner than we all thought.' A lot of that is because of the work the players put in — the selflessness, the sacrifice, them being happy for one another. It’s really uncommon to see that for a team this young."

And the celebration isn’t over. With the NBA Draft on the horizon, the Thunder hold the 15th and 23rd picks, and a championship parade planned, Oklahoma City’s summer is shaping up to be just as historic as its season.

"This is a party day. This is a fun day," Cage said. "I saw little kids, babies in strollers, families. This is what it’s all about: families together, having fun, celebrating a common cause."