Thunderous Intentions
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Thunderous Thoughts: Excitement for the new season

By Jeremy Lambert

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 6: Russell Westbrook #0 helps up Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during a preseason game on October 6, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 6: Russell Westbrook #0 helps up Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during a preseason game on October 6, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 1: Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder speaks to the media after Westbrook signed a multi year contract extension with the team on October 1, 2017 at Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 1: Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder speaks to the media after Westbrook signed a multi year contract extension with the team on October 1, 2017 at Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Welcome to Thunderous Thoughts, where the season starts tonight and we should all be excited for the OKC Thunder.

It’s officially game day. For the first time since April 25th of 2017, the Oklahoma City Thunder play in a meaningful game of basketball. I’m excited. You’re excited. We’re all excited. But why are we excited? Maybe you’re just excited that basketball is back. Maybe you’re excited to see Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. It’s possible you’re extra excited for Kyle Singler’s hair. No matter your reason, I share you excitement. And I’m here to tell you why I’m so Thundered Up for tonight.

Enes Kanter

Yes, Enes Kanter. He’s no longer a member of the Oklahoma City roster, but he’ll forever be in our hearts. The Utah Jazz cut ties with Kanter because they saw him as a problem child who was unwilling to accept a bench position behind Rudy Gobert.

He came to OKC and embraced a bench position behind Steven Adams. Sure, there was the whole offer sheet he signed with Portland, but in his defense, he had not been on the roster very long. I think his actions after signing the contract speak much louder than signing the contract.

Kanter embraced the city and his teammates. His personality was infectious. He and Adams united to form the Stache Brothers. There was the long love letter to Russell Westbrook prior to last year’s playoffs. He made jokes on Twitter like he was a fan and not an important member of the roster. Kanter was one of us.

RELATED: To Enes Kanter, with love

It was sad to see Kanter traded just days after defending his teammates and the city in the wake of Kevin Durant’s burner accounts. As a fan of basketball and winning, I was 100 percent supportive of the trade. Anthony gives the team a better chance to win than Kanter. As a fan who loved Kanter’s personality and attitude, I was heartbroken for him. It says a lot about him that he handled the trade with such grace.

I’m excited to see Kanter tonight.

As a person with emotions and feelings, I look forward to seeing his big smile, the reaction he receives during intros, and how he interacts with his former teammates. I can’t wait to see him embrace Westbrook and Adams. I’m crying just typing this.

As a basketball and Thunder fan, I look forward to Westbrook and Adams abusing him in pick-and-rolls.

Tip-Off

Do you ever notice what Westbrook does when he gets the ball after the opening tip? It changes from game to game, but it usually involves him jumping and putting the ball between his legs or behind his back. Here’s an example:

Don’t ask me why this excites me, but it does. I started to notice it last season and thought, “What a quirky thing to do.” During the offseason I began to miss this little quirk. I’m excited to see it again tonight. I just assume Kanter will lose the opening tip off to Adams, allowing Westbrook to perform his little ritual.

Billy Donovan’s combinations

If we’ve learned anything about Donovan these past two years, it’s that he’s going to try roughly 56,368 five-man units throughout the season. We may see all 56,368 on opening night depending on how the game plays out.

I’m excited for every single one of them.

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This team is top loaded with talented depth behind them. Donovan could potentially play a five-man unit that consists of Westbrook, Andre Roberson, Terrance Ferguson, Paul George, and Jerami Grant which basically says to the opponent, “We’re going to overwhelm you with athleticism.”

He could play Westbrook, Alex Abrines, Anthony, George and Patterson, which asks, “You want Russ to drive or you want to give up the open three?”

Maybe he plays Westbrook, Roberson, Kyle Singler, Nick Collison, and Adams just to say, “These guys were on the roster two years ago. Now I can play Singler and Collison to give Anthony and George a rest.”

I don’t question Donovan’s rotations anymore. I recognize there’s a method to his madness and I’m excited to see how it all plays out.

Tearing jersey

Maybe you’ve noticed but these NBA jerseys tear easily. And perhaps you’ve noticed that Westbrook is strong and fast. Finally, it’s possible you noticed that the Knicks may use a rookie to guard him for stretches of the game.

Westbrook’s jersey is going to tear. And I’m excited to see his reaction to it happening.

Let me know Thunder fans, why are you excited about tonight? Can be something obvious or something small. Just be ready to Thunder Up.

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