OKC Thunder In the news – Western Conference Set

The OKC Thunder started their offseason earlier than expected, but with the top two west seeds set to meet perhaps the outcome was inevitable.

On April 27th the OKC Thunder season came to an abrupt halt. Having just overcame a more than 20 point deficit to force a game six in Utah many felt the loss was almost anti climatic. The fact Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder almost clawed back in this final game only served to rub more salt in the wounds of Oklahomans.

Reflecting on the chaotic uneven season perhaps this outcome was probably inevitable. Yet, to finish in precisely the same spot as last season felt hollow. Especially considering the two ‘big’ additions aren’t ensured to return. Although privately, many are hoping one of those so called pieces does OKC a favor and opts out.

Precisely 12 days later the team (Utah Jazz) who ended the OKC Thunder season join them on vacation. This due to a 4-1 series loss to the top seeded Houston Rockets. They’ll face off versus the reigning champion Golden State Warriors. The latter also dispensed of their opponent (New Orleans Pelicans) in five games.

Royce Young of ESPN also speaks of the inevitability.

"You hear that? That is the sound of inevitability.Both teams played 82 games, and both played five in the first round, and five in the second. But in the Western Conference finals, it will be the showdown that has been coming all season long, two trains on the same track facing each other, primed for a collision — the Golden State Warriors vs. the Houston Rockets, with a trip to the NBA Finals at stake."

Would one more round and win have mattered?

Here’s the thing. In reflection if you knew 12 days ago the OKC Thunder would only win one game in the second round would it have made the season any more successful? That may sound arbitrary because of course it would mean more games. Seriously though, losing in five games in the second round would likely have also been deemed a failure.

For the Jazz it can be viewed differently because they are a young rebuilding team. As the above tweet shows (not to mention beating OKC and Westbrook is still resonating with Utah. The Pelicans can also wring some substance out of taking a game for the champs and doing so without one of their top two stars (DeMarcus Cousins). However, it probably still would seem hollow if OKC had fallen to the Rockets. Particularly when the Thunder played them so well this season.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Certainly, Sam Presti and the franchise can point to the loss of Andre Roberson. Whether anyone wants to express it aloud or not, the loss of ARob was as critical for OKC (and maybe even more so) than Boogie Cousins being out for the Pelicans.

That old adage of defense wins championships isn’t idle fodder – it’s a fact.

And so, the top two west teams will square off starting Monday. It’s not the plot OKC was hoping for, but it is what most NBA fans expected.

As the series begins, the rest of the west will join the Thunder as they watch closely to see what this offseason will require in order to usurp one of these teams next season.

That’s in for in the news today. Enjoy your day and see you back here tomorrow.