When the Oklahoma City Thunder reached the NBA Finals in June 2012, many believed it would be the first of many appearances for the franchise.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were 23 years old, and James Harden and Serge Ibaka were 22 years old.
Yet the Thunder haven't been back to the Finals since, and the Warriors seem poised for a run atop the Western Conference.
"If Kevin Durant wants to win a championship, the best chance he would have would be to come to the Golden State Warriors," Rick Barry said on KNBR 680 on Wednesday morning.
Durant will become an unrestricted free agent in July, and if he elects to bolt Oklahoma City, the Warriors are the "significant frontrunners to sign him," according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
[POOLE: Rookie Looney key in Warriors' expected pursuit of Durant]
Durant is averaging 27.2 points per game this season -- third in the NBA.
In 2013-14, he registered 32.0 points and 5.5 assists per contest, en route to claiming the MVP award.
Stephen Curry is the reigning MVP and leads the league in scoring at 29.4 points per night.
According to Barry, Durant on the Warriors could only work, "if he's (Durant) willing to take a subservient role, and not be the big guy ... he's not gonna be the same guy. He's not gonna be the focal point.
"But if he's willing to come and he's willing to do that, that would be unbelievable ... They got Steph. They got Klay. They got Draymond ... how do you guard that lineup?"
[RELATED: Barnes responds to Durant-Warriors report: 'Still get to play']
The Warriors are constantly touting their chemistry and team-first approach.
It's a major component of how they captured their first title since 1975.
"He (Durant) has to be willing to buy into it," Barry said. "Facilitate, do the things he can do ... (if he does) I mean, give me a break. Are you kidding me? If Kevin wants to have a chance to be on a championship team, his best chance would be to come join this Warriors team. "
