Clearly, we have two Thunder teams in Oklahoma City twenty-three games into to this young season. The home version of the Thunder is pretty good at 9-3, the road version is 2-9 and struggling for answers. The three home losses have come to Minnesota with the miracle Wiggins heave, the second half collapse against the Celtics, and the tough one point loss to the Pistons. So, in fairness to the Thunder they could very well be 11-0 at home this season if they had just showed the toughness in those games that they collectively showed tonight.
This was beautiful. This is what Oklahoma City has been thirsting for from their pro basketball team this young season. This was an inversion of sorts with OKC scoring 39 points in the first half, then putting their big boy britches on and winning the fourth quarter 33-14. I won’t put up Little Miss Sunshine videos when I see this type of ball. This is what I’ve wanted to see from this bunch, namely some heart.
Their was plenty of heart to go around, there truly was in that fourth period as the Thunder looked their inner demons eye to eye and made the plays which had to be made after trailing 72-55 midway in the third period.
OKC worked to get the Jazz lead down to 80-68 at the close of the third, then basically landed a fourth period haymaker with lockdown defense, winning the 50/50 loose balls, and shooting 12-21 in the period. This is what Mystery, Alaska thought they would get when Sam Presti went on a shopping spree this summer. This is a glimpse of ‘that’ team 23 games into the season. But we’ve had other glimpses…the Boston first half, the whole game against the new Detroit Piston punk Warriors, and this fourth period tonight. All glimpses into the tunnel of hope as to what this team can become by April.
Russell Westbrook was sublime. This was vintage Westbrook with another triple double. This one read 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists. This was Westbrook going 12-25 from the field and leading ‘his team. Just so we’re clear…this is Russell Westbrook’s team.
For the third straight game in this winning streak of three… Steven Adams was star worthy. Adams had in essence a double double with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Again, to be redundant, this might be the best stretch of basketball to date in his basketball life.
Paul George was woeful the first half, but turned that around with a high energy second half. PG had 21 points on the night. Carmelo has correctly retweaked his role on this team and has become the fourth option. Melo scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Andre Roberson was all over the floor. He did the little things he always does with apparent glee and joy like some joyful otter at play. He’s Billy Donovan’s best defender, Paul George would be the second best defender.
Jerami was good. This was the most energy I’ve seen from Patterson in awhile. Abrines was…there in his own way…I guess.
Nothing pretty about this win except it showed this team could be a team with character instead of being a team of characters.
Billy Donovan must be sleeping better than the night after the debaucle in Orlando.
OKC plays 17 games in December. 3-0 so far. You look at the entire slate of games in the month and there’s only two games which are road back to backs. This is the month the Thunder have to roll. This is the point they have to build on something every game.
Golden State…what a bunch of punks. Draymond Green and his soulmate Cupcake are making Bill Laimbeer seem somewhat tame. Hope is still in place. We have the good guys, Steve Kerr has the punks.
OKC is now 11-12 and once again on the cusp of being a .500 team. They head to Mexico City to play the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
I’m sure Brian Davis and his sidekick Pepe Cage will be in rare form. I’m sure I’ll be rolling my eyes two minutes into the game.
It’s time for OKC to go on a roll. Why not keep it going in Mexico City?