that team was projected by nearly every sports outlet, sports writer and vegas to win 44-48 games when KD left and they won exactly that.

Oladipo became an all nba player in one off-season in Indiana? Sabonis became a stud in Indiana?

I mean look at that Rockets team Harden had. 6 of those guys also weren't in the NBA 1-2 years later.

Russ won because of the triple double narrative and "fuck you" KD narrative.

Presti fucked up with harden trade and lost KD. They didn't want to lose the last of those 3 guys. So Presti just let him do anything he wanted. Billy Donovan didn't say shit. That team never ran a real offense. It was just "Russ go get your triple doubles". Back then he was still athletically elite he could get to the rim and hit FTs which made up for his lack of jump shooting.

That Thunder team finished exactly where they should have, and if anything Russ held those guys back developmentally. Once Oladipo got to the consistently run the offense and Sabonis didn't just stand on the 3 point line waiting for a last second kick out they became studs.

Russ absolutely stat padded his way to a 47 win, first round exit, and the most undeserved MVP in the past 20 years.