A fictional account of the team meeting that changed the season

We don’t know what was said during the already infamous OKC Thunder closed door team meeting. But we can make a couple guesses.

Before we get into the fictional part of this post let’s be serious. A closed door team meeting needed to happen. The Thunder offense has looked atrocious during their four-game losing streak. There’s no sense of a team identity no matter who’s on the floor. Billy Donovan isn’t making changes quick enough.

If you can reach rock bottom eleven games into an NBA season, that’s what Oklahoma City has done.

Thankfully a team meeting occurred Thursday night after their loss to the Denver Nuggets. What specifically was said is unknown – the over-arching theme isn’t. The Thunder are trying to figure out how to build a championship contender in less than a season. With strong personalities like Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams I’m sure nothing was held back. Which is why were going to create a dialogue of what “likely” happened Thursday night in Denver. Or at least what I hoped happen.

*DOOR CLOSES

*Silence for a minute while everybody, including Billy Donovan, waits for Russell Westbrook to say something.

Russell Westbrook: What’s everybody waiting on? I’m ready to hear it.

Nick Collison (there’s a reason he’s still on this team): Good. Because you need to listen up bud.

Paul George: This isn’t all on you Russ. I’m not making my shots like I should be. Carmelo isn’t either. But dude….we got to spread the ball out more. We can’t be last in passes per game. I know you are this incredible force that can make scoring opportunities out of nothing, but that’s not going to beat Golden State. It can’t even beat the Sacramento Kings.

Steven Adams: Yeah mate. If you haven’t noticed I’m second in the league in field goal percentage. Teams can’t stop me. They can’t stop our pick & roll. I’m sure it would work pretty well with PG too.

RW: Guys I hear you. Trust me I do. But this is how I’ve played this game since I’ve gotten to the league. My slogan is literally “Why Not?” I want to change, but I’m not sure if I know how.

NC (again, there’s a reason he’s still on this team): This is where we need you coach.

Billy Donovan: There’s only so much I can do here guys. I’ve given you all the tools for a top five offensive team. We have our “Horns” set down already, you guys just don’t run it.

Jerami Grant: Yeah coach but you don’t call them!

BD: Jerami, you’re not with the 76ers anymore remember? You’re not suiting up for Syracuse anymore.

*Looks at Russ

This is the National Basketball Association, my point guard runs my offense, not I.

*Looks back at the whole team

Every single one of you rotation players has multiple seasons playing professional basketball under your belt. You should know when things aren’t working by now. Carmelo, you’re not in New York anymore. When your jumper isn’t falling you should probably stop shooting and try to facilitate. At least get to the dang rim.

Paul – channel Pacer Paul. Make Steve pass you the ball when he grabs a defensive board. Bring the ball up the court and be the playmaker that you were in Indiana. Russ can’t be the only facilitator – that offense is too easy to stop for a team like Golden State.

The same goes for you Steve. Call for the ball in the post. You’re working too hard for us to not get more touches.

And Russ. Russ Russ Russ. You know the love I have for you.

RW: Coach, I know what I have to do. I just don’t know how to do it.

*Out steps Maurice Cheeks, the noted Russ whisperer.

Maurice Cheeks: Russell, think about the exact moment you found out Kevin Durant left this organization to play for the team that he and you had just lost to.

RW: I’m listening.

MC: Now think about the pure joy that would come from beating him in the Playoffs.

RW: Go on.

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MC: Now think about first round playoff exits for the rest of your career.

RW: Ummmmmm, why?

MC: Why Not? That’s the juncture you are at in this very moment. If you don’t hand over the reigns to a more free flowing offense than Paul George is gone after this season. You’ll never attract another star to come play with you. Your career will be defined as the guy that sent everybody packing so he could be the face of Oklahoma City. Is that what you want?

RW: No, not at all.

MC: Good. Because that’s not what I want for you either.

RW: Can I just say one thing?

Everybody in the room: Of course, Russ.

RW: I know I’m part of the problem. But I’m not the whole problem. We all have an equal hand in this. Even you Kyle.

*Kyle looks up from his phone, surprised to hear his name in a team meeting.

Kyle Singler: What did I do?

RW: Nothing Kyle, that’s the whole point. I can’t be the only facilitator on this team. If you watch Golden State they succeed because everybody is getting assists. They only have two players averaging over five assists yet they are destroying the league in assists per game. They play an offense where everybody is involved at all times – if I’m giving up the reigns like you’re asking we need to have constant movement like that.

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*Looks at Billy

I know you’ve given us plays to work with and I know you want to trust us on the court. But I think it’s time you coach us like your college teams. I’ve watched the film coach. Your offenses were brilliant. Teach us the game as if we were teenagers all over again.

NC: That’s a really good idea Billy.

Carmelo Anthony: College was a good time for me…

BD: If that’s the case everybody drop down and give me 250 push-ups before we talk to the media.

*Team spiritedly drops to the ground and knocks them out. Alex Abrines is the last one to finish.

*DOOR OPENS

*A bright light shines in the room

*Everybody on the Thunder saw the light

*A win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night ensues

That is 100% how the Oklahoma City Thunder changed their season.