The paths of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony finally met. The three will soon find themselves playing under the banner of the Oklahoma City Thunder after the completion of the trade between the Thunder and the New York Knicks.

Each of these superstar shares the same dream, that one day they can finally raise the Larry O’Brien championship trophy. And with destiny on their side, will Westbrook, Anthony, and George finally break their curse this coming 2017-18 NBA season?

Melo completes OKC super team

The Oklahoma City Thunder boosted its scoring chances with the arrival of Carmelo Anthony.

The ten-time NBA All-Star brings with him a career scoring average of 24.8 points per game, scoring 20+ points in each season since his rookie days.

At 33, Anthony certainly has at least 3-5 good years ahead of him. The certified scoring machine that he is, Anthony promised to deliver what he can when the situation asked, “I’ve always adjusted to my situation. If it calls for me to go out there and get 30, 40 -- 50 points, then that’s what I’m going to do,” Melo told Dennis Scott of NBA TV.

The 2013 scoring leader will join the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook who was also the scoring champion and led the two guard positions in rebounding last season. And then there’s Paul George, who recently registered his highest scoring output since joining the league.

George is not only a threat in scoring; his being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team (2014) and NBA All-Defensive Second Team, twice (2013, 2016), can attest to that.

Speaking of defense, Andre Robertson finally came into his own after being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season. Completing the OKC Thunder starting lineup is big man Steven Adams, who has proven himself worthy after increasing most of his averages last season: 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

A run for an NBA title

It’s no secret that there were two reasons why Carmelo Anthony decided to waive his no-trade clause for the Oklahoma City Thunder. First, is the “emotional roller coaster” he and his family have undergone long lonely nights in New York.

“Anytime you feel wanted and appreciated, you can’t really put that into words,” Anthony said.

Second but definitely as important, Anthony admitted that “I wanted to have the opportunity to compete for a championship.” He added that it gives him, Westbrook and George a different focus and motivation to play together in the hopes of getting their first NBA championship. Melo and George have yet to step onto the NBA Finals while Westbrook had his first and only NBA Finals experience thus far, against the Miami Heat back in 2012.
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