No. 1 1978-79 Sonics vs. No. 12 2019-20 Thunder
1 seed: 1978-79
Regular season record: 52-30
Playoff result: Won NBA Finals
In the only championship in franchise history, the Sonics were led by a young guard duo in Gus Williams, who would be a two-time All-NBA player, and Dennis Johnson, a future Hall of Famer. In the post was Hall of Fame center Jack Sikma.
Key Players:
Dennis Johnson — The 24-year-old, in his third season, made his first All-Star appearance and averaged 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Johnson won Finals MVP.
Gus Williams — Williams, 25, averaged 19 points, four assists and three rebounds per game while shooting 49.5% as a point guard.
Jack Sikma — The center with modern shooting and passing traits averaged 15.6 points, 12.4 points, 3.2 assists per game. He made his first of seven straight All-Star games with Seattle.
Fred Brown — The guard averaged 14 points on 46.9% shooting.
Lonnie Shelton — Shelton averaged a block and a steal per game while scoring 13.5 points and shot above 50% from the field.
Paul Silas — The five-time All-Defensive player won his third championship this season, his second-to-last year in the NBA.
John Johnson — The two-time All-Star averaged 29 minutes, 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game.
12 seed: 2019-20
Regular season record: 40-24 (postponed)
Playoff result: Fifth seed as of March 11
Hopefully this year’s Thunder team will get more games, because they were one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the league. Despite trading Westbrook and Paul George, Oklahoma City was in the thick of the playoff race.
Key players:
Chris Paul – Statistically the best player during crunch time this season, Paul has averaged 17.7 points, 6.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – The key player return from the George trade, the second-year player is posting a team-high 19.3 points with 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Danilo Gallinari – Gallinari, one of the best stretch-fours in the league, is posting 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting above 40% from 3.
Dennis Schroder – Schroder has been an elite sixth man this season, averaging 19 points with 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds and often closing out games as part of the three-guard lineup.
Steven Adams – Adams is averaging 10.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game to go with about a block and steal apiece in 27 minutes per game.
Luguentz Dort – Dort played himself into a key piece of the rotation with fierce defense. He averages 6.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Nerlens Noel – In 18 minutes per game, Noel is averaging 7.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, one steal and 1.5 blocks per game.
Terrance Ferguson – Ferguson has started 37 games this year, and in 23 minutes per, he is averaging 4.2 points and 1.5 rebounds.
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