Portland Trailblazers 120 — Oklahoma City Thunder 115
With Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, and Roberson sitting it became a night to watch OKC’s bench play Portland on the road. OKC got torched for 72 points in the first half and fell behind 23 points at one point, but to the Thunder’s credit they hung around and actually closed to single digits late in the game.
At one point Michael Cage gushed, “This Oklahoma City bench has been the strength of this team all season.” My eyes not only rolled on that one, but fell out of their sockets upon hearing this, but OKC did play admirably considering some of the putrid bench performances earlier this season. Note to Michael Cage…No. 35 and No. 0 are the strength of this Thunder team. Sigh.
Enes Kanter had the first 30/20 game in Thunder history with 33 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes. Dion Waiters tied his season high with 25 points on an efficient shooting night. Anthony Morrow shot the ball well. Cam Payne got 31 minutes of developmental time. Plus, Sam Presti’s pet project Josh Heustis got significant minutes and is actually looking like he might be able to play a bit at this level in a niche role.
Unlike the Detroit game when Durant and Ibaka rested and the team looked horrific with Russell trying to do too much, OKC takes some nice things from this game as far as confidence and playing time for some young players like Payne and Huestis.
Most focus in the West will be on the Spurs at Golden State tonight. Warriors have played a bit like a worn out team of late. I think most in Oklahoma City are just ready to see some playoff basketball again in what could be Kevin Durant’s exit from Oklahoma City depending on how OKC plays in post season.
To Kevin Durant’s credit, he has been very quiet about all of this during the season and not allowed it to be a distraction. Objectively, I would say if OKC plays poorly and does not show its on a par level with the Spurs or Warriors in this tournament, then it would not shock me if he decided to leave for one of a few teams where there are things in place which could give him a chance to win a championship.
To me, only Golden State and San Antonio offer these things. Good general managers, great head coaches, cores on both teams which Durant would mesh with easily. Some cite Toronto as a wild card…maybe. But if it’s about winning a championship, then I’d think Golden State and San Antonio are the two serious players if OKC plays poorly this post season.
But again, to Kevin Durant’s credit, he’s handled all of this very well and even if he leaves he has me as a fan for life. I want to see him win a championship. As a fan, I’m completely at peace with this. One of my favorite hockey players of all-time, Boston Bruin defenseman Ray Bourque, finally had to leave my beloved Bruins to win his championship with the Colorado Avalanche. Whatever Durant decides, he’s had my heart ever since he said those things to his mother during his MVP speech.
On a personal positive note for me, my former favorite team the Philadelphia Sixers, finally fired Sam Hinkie and have put an official end to that bullshit. So–at least I have my favorite team in the East once again trying to win games next season instead of going for the lottery every season. Nice thing for the Philadelphia fans that Villanova gave them a national championship amidst all the Sixer tanking. The basketball gods work in mysterious ways sometimes.
OKC at Sacramento on Saturday in a game where Russell Westbrook will be going for his 18th triple double and a place in basketball history.
Mike Jackson