The Oklahoma City Thunder fans are possibly one or two games away from watching Kevin Durant hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy and ushering in a new era in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fans are the most passionate fans in the NBA. They love their city, they love their state, and the love their Thunder. This past season, Oklahoma City’s fan base thrived and grew with Russell Westbrook choosing to stay with OKC. The playoff push that OKC made this season was one that fueled a fire within the team and the city. Next season, OKC will be a threat to the staples of the Western Conference.
However, Oklahoma City is mentally preparing for the likelihood that Kevin Durant will ultimately win his first title. He, along with his counterparts from Golden State will laugh, cry, and rejoice in beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matter of days. The national talk has surrounded the notion that Durant joined a team that was already a title contender. Is it good or bad for the league? Does it make the NBA less interesting? Does Cavalier Superstar LeBron James lose part of his legacy by losing to Durant and the Warriors?
All of these questions are important, however, in Oklahoma City, we don’t see it that way. What we see is Kevin Durant jumped ship to go join the team that beat him. When LeBron James left Cleveland to join Miami in 2010, Cavs fans were especially bitter. However, LeBron and Miami would lose to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. This gave Cavs fans something to laugh about. Oklahoma City will not get to see Kevin Durant lose in this year’s NBA Finals. With Golden State leading Cleveland 3-0, it would appear that the series is almost complete. As you know, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in an NBA Finals.
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So now, Oklahoma City will deal with watching Durant hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in a Golden State Warriors uniform and possibly in the same week that University of Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops announced he was retiring from coaching. This isn’t as critical as Durant’s departure, although, the timing is interesting.
Golden State sweeping through the playoffs and winning the way they have is without question one of the most amazing accomplishments in NBA history. Furthermore, they should be celebrated for the season.
However, you can’t expect Thunder fans to applaud Durant or the Warriors. You cannot blame Thunder fans for being mad or salty. You cannot expect for the voices of Thunder fans across Oklahoma and the U.S. to praise Durant for winning a title. In fact, you should expect shade and discontent not only from Thunder fans; but from Russell Westbrook as well.