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Views from OKC: CROWN THE THUNDER AS THE 2017 CHAMPS

By Tony Heim

Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to Views from OKC, Thunderous Intentions’ daily roundup of the best OKC Thunder stories across the web.

New to Views? Glad to have you here, and I hope you’ll make this a daily destination. Well, let’s get started!

Thunder look fantastic in first game post-ASB

“It was the first game in a Thunder uniform for Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott, acquired Thursday in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. Gibson scored 12 points and McDermott added eight, even though they arrived Thursday night and weren’t even available for shootaround on Friday.”

I reallyyyyyyyyyy like this trade after seeing it in action. Taj Gibson is the perfect four for the Thunder; he’s a strong rim defender and the perfect locker room veteran. Doug McDermott is going to provide scoring on the perimeter for the second-unit. I don’t want to overreact, but wow the pieces have come together nicely in OKC…

Must Read: Breaking down the Southeast division deadline deals

Grading the Cameron Payne, Doug McBuckets deal

“Doug’s skillset does not include the ones needed on the defensive side of the ball. However, a pairing with Roberson downgrading to the 2-guard will add length on defense with Roberson covering for Doug. Hiding McDermott on the defensive is a small price when he can come down and shoot at an elite level on the other end.”

Staff writer Daniel Richardson absolutely killed it with this one. I agree with everything he said, from McDermott’s benefit playing with Russ to Gibson’s usefulness as a defensive-minded four. When we look back at this trade I genuinely think it won’t be seen as unfair, because Cameron Payne is going to be a stud with the Bulls. Mark my words.

Views from Twitter

I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED THIS GAME LIVE. Should I refrain from watching a game until they lose? I mean if Alex Abrines is going to play like this when I’m not watching I might as well stay away. Also I’m going to take this moment to brag a little. You know who said Abrines should start in the Thunderous Intentions group chat? Me. No shame in my game.

I can’t believe this dude hasn’t been on the Thunder his entire life. McBuckets was literally meant to play in Oklahoma City. He’s from small-town Ames, Iowa, went to school at mid-major Creighton and now he’s in playing professional basketball in Oklahoma City. I expect McDermott to be here for awhile.

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