Thunderous Intentions
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Start Having Fun

By Jeremy Lambert

Dec 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last week, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant told The Oklahoman the following, ““We just gotta play with a little bit more passion. We play every single day, we practice every single day. The process can get boring. I hate to say that. But we have to stay with it.” It was a harmless quote in the middle of a road trip that also included a snowstorm.

The NBA regular season is a grind for everyone involved. By the 40th game, you’ve figured out which teams are contenders and which are pretenders, but you still have to play/watch 40+ more games. As a fan, I get bored watching the regular season, already knowing the long term outcome (Thunder finish 3rd in the West). I get bored talking about the team on Twitter or with my friends, re-hashing the same comments that were made weeks ago. And I get bored writing a weekly piece, always trying to come up with a new angle when there might not be one. I imagine most players feel the way Durant feels when it comes to the regular season process.

This weekend, the Thunder take on the Golden State Warriors in their first match-up of the season. The following night, the Denver Broncos face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl L. The Warriors are led by Steph Curry. The Panthers are led by Cam Newton. One is the reigning MVP coming off his first championship. The other will win the MVP on Saturday and looking for his first championship on Sunday.

Steph and Cam don’t get bored.

Curry and the Warriors are on pace for the greatest regular season in NBA history. Every night he’s doing something that we’ve never seen before. Whether it’s a three-point barrage from thirty feet out, an over-the-back no-look pass, or an insane crossover that has the defender looking up from the floor; Curry is putting on a show and doing it while a smile and a mouthpiece chew. He’s unfazed by the media or the target on his back. He’s constantly on twitter asking #DubNation to “Lock in.” He looks like he enjoys playing the game of basketball on a nightly basis.

Then there’s Cam. As a longtime Panthers fan, I’ve seen every single game Newton has played. When he first entered the league, he was constantly sulking, having no fun while losing more than he won. Over the past few seasons, he’s started playing football like a kid in the backyard. Maybe the dancing and celebrating is over the top at times, but there’s no denying the joy on the face of Newton when he’s on the football field. You can say that Cam is having fun because he’s winning, but he’s been having fun since Week One.

Maybe having fun is leading to winning?

Having a chip on your shoulder is fine and understandable. The Panthers and Newton had a chip on their shoulder before the season started. They had lost their star receiver in the pre-season, Newton was good, but not great, they were lucky to make the playoffs last year and did little to improve the team in the offseason, etc…. The Thunder faced similar criticism. A team with two superstars, overlooked in favor of the old guard and the new kids on the court, a team that gave a max contract to a guy who plays little to no defense, a team with Dion Waiters, etc…. The chip made the Panthers even hungrier and happier. They banded together, took team photos in the middle of the game, and smiled while doing it.

Durant and the Thunder could learn something from Newton and the Panthers. It’s a blessing to do what you love and get paid a lot of money to do it. Sure, it can be a hassle and monotonous over the course of an 82-game season, but how many people in the world can say that they make millions and get to do something that they love doing?

I don’t consider Durant ungrateful or anything like that. In reality, it was a comment made by a frustrated player that I’m blowing a little out of proportion. But it does speak to the mindset of the team at times. They realize that they need to play with more passion, but it doesn’t always happen. You can’t force passion. You’re either excited to do something or you’re dreading it. I don’t believe Durant or the team is all that excited when they have to play the Nets or the Magic. But maybe they should be. Maybe they should take a look at the Warriors and the Panthers; see how much they’re winning and realize that it’s fun to have fun.

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