As a Thunder fan and blogger I’m at peace within myself this morning. It’s been a long season since that depressing day Sam Presti traded Jerami Grant to Denver signaling what we all thought would be a tortuous season of tanking.
The big tank never happened. Instead if the Thunder beat Houston in Game 7 tonight inside of a bubble the franchise for the first time without Kevin Durant will advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals for the right to play LeBron and AD.
For me it was perhaps the most gratifying season of OKC basketball since the Thunder’s first season in Oklahoma City when they went 23-59. I loved that season. Watching those kids work there tails off every game to get better is what sports is about for me. It’s the journey and the climb as a team together to reap the rewards.
Then the next season they pushed Kobe and the Lakers to a Game 6 inside the then Ford Center. One of the things I truly treasure as a Thunder fan was being in that building that game as our crowd gave that team a standing ovation. It was something you don’t forget.
I’ve come to love Chris Paul and this team even though I cursed them for the Game 6 performance in what was their worst game of the year. They’ve given us what they’ve got inside of them. As a fan you can’t ask anymore.
But Chris Paul answered the questions perfectly after the game. He said, “We’re human. We’re just like you.”
So here I sit getting ready to go to work in anticipation of Game 7. I’m no longer conflicted. I want Oklahoma City to win the game. Russell plays for Houston. I don’t live in Houston. I don’t have emotional ties to the Rockets.
I’ve come to love the rookies…Dort and Baze. Gallo is Italian just like me.Dennis played the best ball of his basketball life. SGA has a grace to his game which makes me exited about the future. Steven is an author.
And there’s Chris Paul. He never bitched about playing in Oklahoma City this season after the trade. He handled himself as the quintessential pro he truly is.
How can I not be rooting for these guys tonight and completely respect the fact they gave our city a basketball season no one saw coming.
I’m thinking chicken marsala tonight with a nice red wine. I’m going to enjoy the game win or lose. It’s been a journey.
The girls from Italy sent this to me after Gallo’s big Game 6.
Good luck tonight, Thunder.