The 2025 NBA Finals have sent a clear message to the basketball world the era of assembling superstar superteams is fading fast. NBA legend Kevin Garnett echoed this sentiment in the latest episode of his podcast KG: Certified, boldly stating that the Big Three strategy is now obsolete in today’s game.
A New Era: Thunder vs. Pacers – Small-Market Teams Rise to the Top
This year’s NBA Finals feature two unlikely contenders—Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, two franchises from small markets that have defied the odds. Neither team relied on blockbuster trades or free-agent signings to stack their rosters with All-Star power. Instead, both organizations built their squads patiently over the years through the draft, player development, and smart roster construction.
These Finals are not just about crowning a new champion—they symbolize a dramatic shift in how winning teams are built in the modern NBA.
Kevin Garnett: “You Don’t Need Three Superstars Anymore—You Need Nine Solid Players”
Kevin Garnett, a Hall of Famer who once formed a dominant Big Three in Boston with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, acknowledges the changing landscape of the league. According to him, depth is now king.
“The formula now comes from what OKC is doing, what Boston and Indiana are doing,” said Garnett. “You don’t need three superstars anymore. You need nine solid players. That’s the new formula.”
Garnett’s statement highlights the evolution of team-building strategy. The emphasis is no longer on loading up on talent at the top, but on creating a deep, balanced roster where each player contributes meaningfully. He praised the сurrеnt ѕuссеѕѕ оf thе Cеltісѕ, Thundеr, and Pасеrѕ—аll tеаmѕ knоwn for thеіr dерth, сhеmіѕtrу, and сulturе оvеr ѕtаr роwеr аlоnе.
Kevin Garnett Remembering the Warriors Dynasty – The Blueprint of Balance
Garnett also pointed to the Golden State Warriors dynasty as a model that started this trend nearly a decade ago. The Warriors, who won back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015 and four titles over eight years, built their core through smart drafting and internal development. Their rotation featured not just stars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, but also critical role players like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
“Remember when they had S-Dot [Shaun Livingston], Iguodala? They had four guys off the bench who could play big minutes,” Garnett explained. “That was the start of the long-term process—building depth, not just stars.”
2025 Playoffs: The Year of the Deep Team
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are another testament to this new model. For instance, the Indiana Pacers have made a deep run with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam leading the way, but they’ve been heavily supported by contributors like T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, and others. It’s not a team that leans on just one or two players but one that distributes responsibilities across the board.
Similarly, the Oklahoma City Thunder have arguably the most balanced and complete roster in the league. Led by 2025 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder boast a strong rotation including defensive anchors Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso, as well as rising stars like Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Notably, the Thunder are the youngest team in NBA history to make the Finals.
“That’s what OKC and Indiana are doing,” Garnett said. “They’ve got 9–10 solid guys. They can throw out five starters and get the game off to a great start. I don’t think any Pacers player even played more than 34 minutes per game. That’s how deep they are.”
The Future of the NBA: Depth Over Stars?
As thе 2025 NBA Fіnаlѕ prepare tо tip оff at thе Pаусоm Cеntеr іn Oklаhоmа City, thе Thundеr hеаd іntо Gаmе 1 wіth thе uрреr hаnd, hаvіng swept thе Pacers 2-0 іn thе rеgulаr ѕеаѕоn. However, regardless of who claims the championship trophy, one thing is clear—the blueprint for winning in the NBA has changed.
In the modern era of analytics, load management, and positionless basketball, relying solely on a trio of stars is no longer enough. Teams that invest in youth development, draft smartly, and build a cohesive, versatile roster now have the upper hand.
Kevin Garnett, a former champion and one of the NBA’s fiercest competitors, sees the writing on the wall: The Big Three formula is no longer the path to success.
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