More than ten years have gone by since the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young guns, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, almost toppled the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals. That defeat sparked visions of future glory for Thunder fans, but those aspirations crumbled just months later when Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets. Recently, Durant opened up about a personal sting from that chapter, the congratulatory tweets from Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, which he interpreted as a subtle relief from rivals who viewed the Thunder as an emerging threat.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s epic 2012 NBA Finals clash with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden
In the 2012 NBA Finals, the young and vibrant Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the well-experienced Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. This was a showdown of different eras, the Thunder’s speedy trio against the Miami veterans, who had united in 2010 amidst a wave of fan discontent.
The series kicked off on June 12, 2012, in Oklahoma City. The Thunder took Game 1, winning 105-94, with Durant scoring 36 points and Harden contributing 17 from the bench.
Miami came back strong in Game 2, taking the win 100-96 thanks to James’s 32 points, leveling the series at 1-1. OKC fought back with a 91-83 win in Game 3, but the Heat took control in Game 4, winning 104-98 to tie it up at 2-2.
In Game 5 on June 21 in Miami, James secured the championship with a stellar triple-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, guiding the Heat to a 121-106 win. Miami finished the series 4-1, with James receiving Finals MVP honors after averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. The Thunder, all under 24 years old, showcased their potential, Durant averaged 30.6 points, Westbrook 27.0, and Harden added 12.4 off the bench, indicating they could dominate the league for years ahead.
Thunder’s GM Sam Presti looked back on the loss as a chance to learn, sharing his thoughts with reporters after the series, “We gained a ton of experience.” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, speaking to the media after Game 5, acknowledged OKC’s threat: “They’re a special group, and they’ll be back.”
LeBron James welcomes James Harden to Houston Rockets after 2012 Finals win
When the trade news hit, James and Wade, just coming off their win against OKC in the Finals, gave a shoutout to Harden on social media, which Durant later saw as bragging. James took to X on October 27, 2012, to share a message welcoming Harden to Houston and wishing him all the best, as noted in recent reports. Wade chimed in that same day, tweeting his admiration for Harden’s decision and his enthusiasm for what lies ahead, based on accounts from back then.
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These posts, in the wake of the intense feelings from the Finals loss, heightened Durant’s feeling of betrayal. NBA insiders pointed out that the tweets were just typical courtesy among colleagues, but given the heated situation, they highlighted Miami’s relief at going up against a less intimidating Thunder.
Kevin Durant can’t forget how Miami Heat stars cheered while the Oklahoma City Thunder fell apart
Durant’s feelings of resentment came back up in Netflix’s “Starting 5” documentary, Season 2, which dropped in October 2025. During an interview segment, Durant shared the tweets with the production crew, mentioning, “What pissed me off is Bron and D-Wade and so many dudes around the NBA sending tweets out: ‘Congrats to my bro, James. He [is] going to Houston. He [is] gonna kill there.’”
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He continued, venting frustration, “I know Bron and them were so f****** happy [that] we weren’t together no more. We were on their a**… Y’all just scared. Y’all know we were on the way.” Durant mentioned that the messages appeared to validate the threat level of OKC, discussing this with the filmmakers, “We were posing such a challenge,” and Miami’s reactions confirmed their fear of the trio’s longevity.
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Durant can’t shake this off since it highlighted a crucial “what if”, the trade broke apart a dynasty that was on the verge, and the happiness of the rivals just made it worse. As he shared with the “Starting 5” team, the tweets stuck around as a reminder of lost opportunities, personally haunting him even while all three former teammates went on to become MVPs.
Kevin Durant has won two titles since leaving OKC but often nods to the 2012 “what if” in interviews.
The Harden trade changed the course of NBA history, breaking up a trio that could have challenged Miami’s dynasty. Durant’s ongoing frustration with James and Wade’s tweets shows the personal impact it’s not just about the numbers, but the bonds that were shattered and the dreams that went unfulfilled.
As Kevin Durant mentioned on “Starting 5,” “We were on the way,” a feeling that still resonates during OKC’s quieter times since. Still, each player found success on their own, demonstrating that talent lasts, even if the dream team never came to be.
