Somewhere in Edmond, Oklahoma sports talk show rock star Jim Traber fell asleep with a smile on his face. Tucked under his Pittsburgh Steeler blanket wearing his Steeler jammies he was completely vindicated for his Captain Ahab-like pursuit of Russell Westbrook.
As I wrote last week after the Lakers blew a historical 26 point lead against the tanking Thunder….’This is a sad Greek tragedy is what it is.’ Albeit an extremely entertaining tragedy. Better than anything Tiger King and Joe Exotic could summon on screen.
In Game 2 the Thunder roared back from a 19 point deficit on the road no less to steal Game 2 with Russell Westbrook denying the ball to a hot Carmelo Anthony on the game’s last shot.
This game had pretty much everything except LeBron playing against the Thunder for a second straight game.
Add to the fact like in Game 1 there was almost a full court brawl in the waning seconds. This time when it appeared Carmelo elbowed Kenrich Williams in the throat on an inbounds scrum.
If you didn’t love these two games you don’t love NBA playoff basketball.
Adam Silver, make some calls, buddy. And to Laker Coach Frank Vogel… dude we know that look of ashen grief and shock on your face as the final seconds unfolded.
Been there, done that.
It’s a shame Sam Presti doesn’t have a feel for classic drama or literature or a sense of humor. Because all of the basketball world would be zoomed in to a Thunder-Laker first round playoff series if LeBron would just agree to be a healthy scratch for the first round.
These two games have had everything. Two monumental comebacks by the Thunder. Two star-studded performances by Shai Gilgeous Alexander… who’s line in Game 2 read… 28 pts, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +14.
Sam Presti here’s a clue for you, dude—you have your star. A star who was the 11th player taken in the 2018 NBA Draft…I might add. It would be an act of basketball cowardice if you sit this kid down again like you did last season just to fulfill your tanking destiny.
Presti… please use some of your assets and make a nice under the radar screen type of trade. Bolster your physicality in the lane. Improve your rim protection. Maybe add another gunner from three point range. But most of all don’t shut this kid down for a second straight season and don’t trade Kenrich Williams or Mike Muscala.
Sometimes things can be really simple. This isn’t that complex. You have your star. You have a nice second star with Aussie Josh. A nice defensive piece with Lu Dort. A kind of baffy Lamar Odom type with Darius Bazely who’ll probably marry a Kardashian at some point in his life. And a young Serb who appears to be two years away from being an impactful, consistent NBA player. My advice to you is don’t make your fanbase wait those two years just to placate the fact you made this pick.
Sam Presti.. turn Shai Gilgeous-Alexander loose. Don’t overthink yourself. Have a cup of coffee with Nick Collison and see what he says.
As far as Russell Westbrook. God bless you, Bad Little Dude. You’re never a dull date. I think I love you, Wild Thing.