NBA Finals 2012: Win or Lose, the Oklahoma City Thunder Are Ahead of the Game

All is well for the Oklahoma City Thunder and has been for a while now.  The Thunder continually prove that they are wise beyond their years, and they are getting wiser than with each passing game.

The latest evidence of this was on display in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs were the ones who walked into Chesapeake Arena and got off to the fast start as if they had the opportunity to close out their opponent. Oklahoma City were the ones having to weather the storm as Tony Parker was eating them alive.

The Thunder were the ones who dug themselves a 34-16 first-quarter deficit and a 63-48 halftime hole.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden went on to show why they're the perfect oxymoron—young and experienced. Haven't even mentioned Serge Ibaka yet and the fact that he's incorporating a nice jumper into his game. 

San Antonio was only able to muster 36 second-half points as the Thunder slowly, methodically and confidently got themselves back into the game and raced to a 107-99 win. 

They continually learn from past mistakes and quickly correct them.

After losing in six games to the eventual champion Lakers in the first round in 2010, they made it to the Conference finals last season before bowing out to the eventual champion Mavs.

This year, they advance to the Conference finals again and close the deal.

Unlike Isiah Thomas' Pistons who had the Celtics and Michael Jordan's Bulls who had the Pistons, there isn't a perennial nemesis in the West for Durant and Oklahoma City to deal with.

The West could belong to the Thunder for a while.

Kobe Bryant is aging, and the Lakers need to retool, the same goes for Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs. Oklahoma City just went a combined 8-1 against them this postseason.

As good as the Spurs are, they will be another year older too.

As long as Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Ibaka continue to develop and GM Sam Presti continues to make sound decisions, the Thunder will be around for a while. 

They also have a blend of veteran championship leadership to complement their young stars. Derek Fisher, Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed have a combined seven titles between them.

So now, it's off to the finals to see what the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat have to offer. Both teams held serve at home during the regular season. Kevin Durant going head-to-head against LeBron James with a title on the line will be epic.

The Thunder may suffer a setback with it being their first time on the NBA's grandest stage.  

On the other hand, their accelerated accumulation of knowledge may bring them the trophy in their first finals trip.

Either way, it's guaranteed to be a lesson learned, and they'll be back again.