We get both OU and O State today in the early games. OU at West Virginia and O State at home versus the lowly Kansas State Wildcats. Meanwhile… Sam Presti finally has his Thunder team in full tank mode as they lost again last night at Denver when Diallo took one of the worst goaltending plays in Thunder history to snatch defeat from victory.
Finally…the Thunder seem to get it—losing is good this season. No one is in your building. No one is listening to Michael Cage on the Thunder telecasts. No one except those on the Daily Thunder messageboard are hungering for the Little Nick Gallo hot takes…sigh. This is that time to lose with complete audacity. No one with a life cares right now about Thunder bastetball other than seeing the team get two top half draft picks this summer in the draft.
Now to Cade. He’s really struggled ever since he went down with Covid. He’s looked nothing remotely like a player who should even be in the discussion as the No. 1 pick in this summer’s draft. But again…in the Big 12 everything is running uphill unless you’re playing either Kansas State or Iowa State.
What a wonderful thing it is for Mike Boynton’s team that they get K State and Iowa State back to back at home. Much needed balm for a team and a player who need a reset on their season headed towards the Big 12 regular season finish line.
I still love Cade. He’s just a colt who needs to get his mojo back a bit and get his confidence restoked. He’s just looked awkward these last several games after he had a two week sit due to Covid protocol. Actually…this very young O State team very much needs these two home games.
If Cade were my player..I’d put my arm around him and simply say, ” Play with joy. Play with that sense of joy and passion you have for the game. Don’t sweat winning the NPOTY deal. I watched Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, and Trey Young go through this the seasons they won NPOTY.”
Then I’d pull Rondel Walker, Bryce Williams, Avery Anderson, and Flavors aside and simply say, ” Your shots are going to start falling. Don’t be shy. Play with joy.”
Basketball is a simple game. Mike Boynton needs to remind his team of that this morning.
Quit playing scared to make a mistake and play with some joy.