In a season marked by times when you felt pain watching this team inflict pain upon itself, this regular season in Oklahoma City ended with some happiness with a regular season ending 137-123 win over nine dressed members of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The win improves this suddenly appearing normal Thunder to 48-34 and moves the Thunder up to the No. 4 seed in the West.
I have no idea how severe Corey Brewer’s leg injury is, but otherwise it was a lovely night to end a season of head scratching angst. I hope Corey Brewer is okay because he’ll be needed moving forward against the Utah Jazz in Round I.
For the time being I’m not going to think about the Utah Jazz. I’m just going to take a deep breathe and appreciate the fact these guys appear to be together in spirit and have earned themselves home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
For lifetime Thunder fans it was a lump in throat moment as Nick Collison possibly played in his last regular season game. The moment was beautiful as his friend Russell Westbrook spoke on Nick’s behalf before the game started. I won’t lie, it put a tear in the corner of my eyes.
Nick Collison is Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. Period. He is the one guy you’ve never heard criticized by one living member of the human race in Oklahoma during these Thunder years of NBA basketball in a college market.
I have no idea what position Sam Presti has in store for Nick Collison or if Nick will even stay in Oklahoma City, but Nick Collison is loved in this state for what he has stood for both on and off the court.
Russell Westbrook notched his second straight season of averaging a triple double and there was that as well. I’ve never written much about Russell’s rebounding numbers because in essence it’s a stupid conversation to be having if your brain is in place.
My thoughts go like this…Russell is OKC’s point guard. He is the fastest player in the league. Anytime Russell Westbrook has a rebound in his hands he is able to get the Thunder out in transition without a pass and thus down the court much faster. Both of these things are to the Thunder’s advantage. They really are.
My major concern with Russell is if he’ll be able to recalibrate himself in the last six minutes of games in post season play as far as getting his team into its offense as the pace slows down in grind it down games in the playoffs.
But I really don’t want to talk too much about things like this right now. Because for the first time since this season began I feel at peace somewhat. The Thunder survived themselves for the time being. They almost set themselves on fire, but didn’t and for that I’m grateful.
Little victories. You sometimes in life accept little victories. You thank God for the good feeling in your heart and try to move forward with some grace and dignity.
Wednesday night inside the Chesapeake Energy was full of little victories for a Thunder team which has been playing uphill for six months.
But on this night it was lovely.
My Thunder heart feels at peace at least until tip on Sunday evening when the Thunder host the Utah Jazz in Game 1 in what should be a rugged series.
thank you bag