NBA Champion Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy at the NBA Store in SM Megamall, August 1, 2025. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Isaiah Joe made a compelling case for why the Oklahoma City Thunder is the best team, in his opinion.
And surely, without these traits, the Thunder would not have won the NBA title in the 2024-25 season.
They overcame the Indiana Pacers, 4-3, in a thrilling championship series last June to clinch their first-ever championship as OKC—the second in the Thunder franchise.
The franchise won a title when it was still the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
For Joe, it was their work ethic and knowing each player's roles "on a high level" that made the difference in that triumphant run, as well as their "really good" bond and jelling.
"I think our work ethic across the board and our understanding that everybody plays a role in our success and we do it to a high level," Joe shared with ABS-CBN News. "I think that's something that we do a lot better than other teams."
READ: NBA champ Isaiah Joe visits PH, overwhelmed by support of Pinoy fans
"We have really good chemistry. We're very close off the court, which helps us produce on the court, and we can, you know, criticize each other in respectful ways, and we know how to react to that," added the OKC swingman, who also averaged 10.2 points per game during the season.
Their impressive run during the season helped them perform in the playoffs, said the 6-foot-5 swingman. They were the top seed in the Western Conference, registering a 68-14 win-loss record.
READ: Thunder seal NBA crown with Game 7 win over Pacers
"We know how to perform from that, and so just being able to do that and build on that during the course of a season helped us in the playoffs."
To no surprise, the Game 7 win was an event to remember for Joe and his family.
"The excitement from when that buzzer went off that everybody had. And then, for me, seeing my family, as soon as they walked onto the court, I went from excitement to emotions," he expressed.
"And so, just being able to share that moment with them, that was probably my favorite moment of it all."
Joe is in the Philippines to celebrate the Thunder's recent NBA championship and support local hoops initiatives.
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