It was supposed to be relatively easy and it was as the OKC Thunder did pretty much wanted they wanted to when they wanted to do it in a breezy feel good 105-84 rout of the Knicks inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Welcome to the second era of Super Team ball in the ten year history of the Thunder. As one should know—the first era came back in 2012 when Durant, Westbrook, and Harden led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012 when the precocious trio led the Thunder to the Finals against LeBron’s then original Super Team in Miami. But that first OKC Super Team was organic, all from Sam Presti draft selections.
The second OKC Super Team almost came into place after the Game 6 loss to the Warriors which changed the course of contemporary NBA history. Presti almost had a Super Team in place of Durant, Westbrook, and Al Horford. But as we all know that didn’t happen as Durant took the easiest path to a title with the least resistance possible.
Quite a few figured that would be it for the Thunder. Think again. Sam Presti re-signed Westbrook, got through last season, and now has another bona fide Super Team in Oklahoma City…only this time it comes through trades and free agency. This time fans in OKC know the ‘hardened’ (pun intended) truth about the cold business aspect of the league. Dog eat dog. Shark eat shark or be eaten. So, I guess what I’m saying here is carpa diem, baby—live the moment and piss off that luxury tax.
Tonight OKC fans such as myself got our first real look at this Super Team and it was pretty much what we thought it would be…namely impressive.
Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony combined for 71 points. Throw in Steven Adams’ 12 points and OKC’s top four players combined for 83 points.
Westbrook notched his 80th career triple double with a 21 point, 16 assist, and 10 rebound night. Combined, PG and Melo went 9-23 from beyond the arc. On nights when they’re hitting their shots at a crisper rate Westbrook’s assist totals should ebb even higher. One thing is certain, when OKC gets in transition with this bunch there will be oceans of space of time for George and Melo to launch their shots.
Adams, Jerami Grant, Andre Roberson, and Raymond Felton played well, but more production will be need from the rest of the roster when they hook up with Golden State and Houston.
Rookie swingman Terrance Ferguson shows some promise and has a nice smile. Alex Abrines went 1-5 shooting threes and OKC will need more from him on nights when they’re playing good teams. But if Abrines having a bad shooting night is all I can bitch about then I think OKC will be okay.
So, it was a glorious fall evening in Oklahoma City as Super Team II was unveiled at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. But don’t kid yourself, every Thunder fan worth a grain of salt is already thinking Golden State. It’s hard not to even when you know you shouldn’t. What’s even harder is to not contemplate what would have happened last season if Durant, Westbrook, and Al Horford had teamed up to take on the Splash Brothers and the Groin Kicker. As NBA historians we’ll never know, and it will somehow eat at us.
But life moves on and we’ll deal with it.
NBA life is good in Oklahoma. Carpa diem, baby.