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Taj Gibson: Your guide to the OKC Thunder’s secret weapon

By Heather Koontz

Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taj Gibson
Nov 24, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Consequently, Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson (22) holds his head after being fouled by Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) in the second half the game at Staples Center. Consequently, Clippers won 121-82. And, Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

On to OKC

On February 23, 2017, during the final minutes of the trade deadline, Gibson started packing.

He’d just been traded after spending every game of his NBA career on the Chicago Bulls roster. Alongside fellow Bull, Doug McDermott, and an unprotected 2018 second round draft pick, Gibson was sent to Oklahoma City in exchange for Anthony Morrow, Cameron Payne, and Joffrey Lauvergne.

CBS Chicago reported that John Paxson, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Bulls and victim of Twitter’s fury following the controversial decision, was “like a father figure” to Gibson.

Following the announcement, Gibson posted an emotional response on Instagram:

"“Today was such an emotional day for me. From the time I heard my name called by David Stern, I have been so proud and honored to be a Chicago Bull. To Jerry Reinsdorf, John Paxson, Gar Forman, Coach Thibs, and Coach Hoiberg, you have all helped me grow into who I am today. There is no way I can ever thank you enough for the opportunities you have presented to me. I will be indebted to all of you forever! To the Fans of Chicago, you have made playing for the Bulls everything I could’ve dreamed of and more. From the incredible support that we get every night at the United Center to the reaction I always receive walking down the streets, it would be impossible for all of you to make me feel more special. Every single one of you will always have a piece of my heart. I have also had such an incredible group of teammates and assistant coaches, who all created moments that I could have never imagined coming true. So, here is just a real heartfelt thank you to all of you for letting a New York City kid live out his dreams as a Chicago Bull. Now, it’s off to OKC and a new chapter in my life and I’m so excited to see what lies ahead. All I can tell the Thunder fans is that you’ll get everything I’ve got every single day and I’m looking forward to our journey together!“"

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