The Oklahoma City Thunder might well be “America’s Team”. It’s a moniker that is mostly referred to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. Back in the 70’s, the Cowboys were on TV so much that people recognized them as much as movie stars and US Presidents. So they were nicknamed “America’s Team”. The Thunder, sadly, are not on TV enough this NBA season to earn that title, but you can still feel that this team holds a special spot in the hearts of not only the United States, but the world.
Going back to the offseason, as Presti seemingly nailed yet another draft, our stars represented in FIBA competition, and the return of our own 7 foot unicorn, and the buzz around the team was deafening. Guys like Kevin O’Conner, Adrian Wojnorowski, JJ Reddick, and even former world renowned Thunder/Sam Presti hater Bill freaking Simmons were buying what the Thunder was selling and was letting the world know about it with seemingly preposterous claims. Top 4 seed in the West. 4 future All-Stars. 50 wins. Each proclamation making them sound more homer-y than any other Thunder fan. Granted, I myself predicted 51 wins and the 3 seed, but I admit I am an optimist in most aspects of life. However, 2 games into the season; we might be onto something.
The Thunder have played 2 games this season, one against the Chicago Bulls and one against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They couldn’t have been more different games. The 1st game the Thunder kept close throughout the 1st half, then asserted dominance throughout the 2nd half. The 2nd game the Thunder took the lead early on, and let the Cavs back in it.
The Cavs led by 10 with 2:37 left in the game, after back to back jumpers from infamous Thunder killer, Donovan Mitchell. Those 2 buckets gave him 40 on the night and it was seemingly all she wrote for the Thunder. But over the years the Thunder have developed much more than a winning and selfless culture, much more than skilled and intelligent players across each position, and so much more than a mentality of “we sell our soul for draft picks”.
They have developed a “Never Say Die” mentality.
Over the last 3 seasons we have seen it done time and time again, whether it’s 5 points, 10 points, 15 points, sometimes even 20 points, the players on the Thunder never roll over and quit. They always keep fighting and more likely than not, they close the deficit, if not win the game. And last night was no different.