On second thought this morning…I rethought the whole Alex Caruso serve and sign thing at Raisen’ Caine today. I just thought all things considered that I didn’t want to get that emotionally involved since the Thunder are really only my second favorite NBA team.
You know, like taking a dog home…when you know you really aren’t going to be able to keep it.
The whole thought of me being trapped inside of that restaurant with so many people just seemed a little overwhelming when I visualized the whole thing playing in my mind.
But I will write this though as we close down this historic and very positive week in purple Oklahoma City…I will take many positive memories with me which I will never forget as both a basketball fan and a human.
This week displayed the Oklahoma City we know the rest of the state could be. Compassionate, pragmatic, politically purple…and the kind of place a young couple could raise a family and not be overtaken by the crazies on both the far left and the far right.
But now a place with an NBA Championship on the resume as well. Denver and OKC now both have one NBA championship. Both the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics are now in varying degrees of roster freefall. Austin Reaves declined the Lakers max extension. What does that say?
The LA Clippers appear headed nowhere despite all of Steve Balmer’s abundance of NIL money. And of course…Portland and Utah are both just searching for any kind of answers to be semi-relevant.
Golden State without Giannis will not be special. If they could land him if he leaves Milwaukee…a different story perhaps. The three teams in the West the Thunder should probably be watching the closest from my view would be the Rockets now with Durant if he can stay healthy, the Dallas Mavs, and the Spurs. The NBA this coming season in Texas and Oklahoma will be something to behold. I mean…a Red River Shootout everytime one of these three teams take on the defending NBA champs from the North.
You Thunder fans…just savor this though for the time being and treasure it forever.
My Three Favorite memories from the Parade were easy: 1 10 year-old point guard Archie Davenport’s reaction to Isaiah, 2 Shai’s father’s very heartfelt comments on his dedication and love for his son, and 3 Shai, of course. It was pretty clear from watching the father and the son how mutual the love and respect each has for the other.
MJ hears the Rockies calling his name for the 4th of July week. Just think how awesome the state of Oklahoma could be in all 77 counties if we witnessed this kind of love and respect towards one another every day of the year.
Eternal peace, MJ.