Fansided

The definitive Oklahoma City Thunder schadenfreude rankings

By Bryan Toporek

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JUNE 19: Fans of the former NBA franchise Seattle SuperSonics which moved and became the Oklahoma City Thunder shows support for the Miami Heat to beat the Thunder in Game Four of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 19, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 19: Fans of the former NBA franchise Seattle SuperSonics which moved and became the Oklahoma City Thunder shows support for the Miami Heat to beat the Thunder in Game Four of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 19, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Seattle fans

When you strip a team away from a passionate fanbase, they tend to hold a grudge.

The first half-decade after the Seattle SuperSonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder wasn’t pleasant for Seattle fans. They had to watch Kevin Durant blossom into an MVP candidate, Westbrook emerge as the league’s most explosive point guard and James Harden morph into a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate. The Thunder looked like locks to win multiple titles so long as they kept that core together.

Since the Thunder’s run to the 2012 Finals, though, Seattle fans have begun to experience the sweet taste of revenge.

From OKC’s front office panic-trading Harden to avoid the luxury tax to Durant joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016 after his squad blew a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder have fallen upon hard times as of late. Though they’ve won 45 or more games for nine straight seasons and made the playoffs in eight of those nine years, they’re suddenly staring at the prospect of being capped out even if Paul George departs this summer as a free agent.

While Seattle fans remain (deservedly) salty about not having an NBA team anymore, think of it this way: At least you don’t have to watch your favorite franchise pay Carmelo Anthony $27.9 million next season!

Next: 2. Kevin Durant

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