Thunder in the news: The King holds court, Part IV looms

One more game between former OKC Thunder stars will determine the finalists for the 2018 NBA Finals. But, as tip-off looms the inevitability of Part IV seems destined.

At season start fans of the OKC Thunder were giddy over the prospect of the retooled squad. Armed with a new star and perennial scoring All-Star this perspective seemed fair. Following three consecutive finals featuring the Warriors versus Cavaliers surely it was time for new blood, wasn’t it?

In hindsight, it’s hard to rationalize anything other than Dubs – Cavs Part IV was inevitable.

Or maybe, it’s simply easier for anyone not rooting for the team in the Land or by the Bay to justify our angst over the outcome by stating this was the case.

In truth, the road to get back to the quartet of this series wasn’t as seamless as expected. And, there were plenty of road bumps along the way. Even as this column is being prepared the reality is the series can end in a trilogy simply via a Rockets victory this evening.

But, raise your hand if you believe that will happen—- yeah, that’s what I thought. With all due respect to the Houston Rockets and their Target Center home court advantage, Part IV will start on Thursday night.

Still, the path to what I anticipate will be a showdown between the King and Splash Brothers didn’t come without plenty of twists and turns along the way.

A King and his Eastern Court:

Several franchises particularly in the East felt certain this was the best chance in years for a new contender to emerge. The Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be the most vulnerable since LeBron James return. Kyrie Irving had demanded a trade and landed with the most storied franchise of the NBA.

Moreover, Danny Ainge lured Gordon Hayward away from the Jazz to reconnect with coaching wunderkid Brad Stevens. And, oh that talent. The Celtics were brimming at the seams with youthful, athletic kids ready to form their own legacy.

Despite losing Gordon Hayward in the first game of 2017-18, the Celtics produced the stingiest defense in the NBA. Irving’s late season surgery had oddsmakers and general fans abandoning the concept this Boston squad would be in the mix.

Celtics Poised for Future:

Forgotten was the fact – defense wins games. Yet, the craziest factor was these kids were playing with such tenacity, they simply don’t know enough to be scared. Rookie Jayson Tatum and sophomore Jaylen Brown accelerated their production and alongside underrated veteran Al Horford came oh so close to unseeding the Eastern King.

In the end, the Celtics inability to win on the road cost them their finals appearance. Despite Kevin Love not being able to play (concussion-like symptoms)  there was nary a soul outside Boston who believed the Celtics would advance.  Not with ‘that guy’ on the Cavs.

The Streak Expands to Eight:

Looking back, it seems foolish now to have discounted the Cavaliers, or rather, LeBron James. In the close out game the 33 year old came an assist shy of a triple-double. Most impressively, he played all 48 minutes.

Love him or hate him LeBron James is a generational superstar. Onewho is producing debatably his best offensive playoffs in his storied 15 year career. He’s had to mind you, with neither the lineup who began this season in Cleveland or the one who’ll finish it offering much more than the ability to pass him water, and towels to wipe his brow.

King’s Summer Holds Intrigue:

Still, the rumor mill is already churning that Part IV (should it occur) will be the end regardless. Barring an unexpected championship (and even then) James is widely expected to bolt this summer. Suffice to say NBA Free Agency is going to be an adventure. Like his last contract summer, James’ next decision will bring free agency to a virtual standstill.

Ultimately, there is no getting around the fact the Celtics with Irving and Hayward are going to be favored to win the East next season – King or no King. Other squads like the 76ers, Budenholzer led Bucks, healthy Wizards, successful “in season” Raptors and scrappy Oladipo led Pacers will all (on paper) be considered better overall units than Cleveland.

Obviously offseason moves will alter the picture. But, the Cavaliers have something in common with the OKC Thunder. Cleveland may be in worse shape in terms of salary cap and their luxury tax situation. The difference is OKC has viable talent in Westbrook, Adams and Robertson with the hope George returns. Conversely, the Cavaliers aside from LeBron have the oft injured Love and — and — and — yeah, LeBron is leaving the Cavaliers.

To that end, many of LeBron’s peers leapt on social media to comment on the King’s prowess. Bleacher Report offered up a best of in this article. Note tweets featuring players who’ll likely be placing calls to the King hoping to recruit him this summer.

The Lowe Report:

Today serves up two must reads prior to Game 7. The first via Zach Lowe and second TI’s Stephen Dolan.

The tweet above offers up the best review of the WCF and specific advantages for either team. Not surprisingly, it comes via my favorite NBA scribe Zach Lowe.  Like many in the TI camp, I’ve delighted in the Kevin Durant iso-ball hampering the Dubs offense. Hey, it’s a real thing. The difference is he has a team of All-Stars surrounding him in GSW with a coach who won’t allow it to occur in Game 7 (or will he?).

"Durant has made plenty of those shots, including several in Game 1, when the world bemoaned Golden State’s invincibility. When he makes more of them, the Warriors are invincible. But they are hard shots, and the Rockets have the long, physical, nasty defenders to make them harder. When Durant takes more than usual, it is often a sign Golden State has veered further toward Durantism than they would like."

WCF Game 7 – Who OKC Thunder Fans Should be Rooting for:

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

For OKC Thunder fans having to witness the Western Conference Finals has been torture. Not just because OKC isn’t playing. No, it’s because it summons up the “what if” arguments to the nth degree. Former OKC Thunder players James Harden and Kevin Durant are their squads primary options and that fact alone cuts deep in OKC.

TI writer Stephen Dolan serves up a must read on tonight’s Game 7. Dolan provides his take on the value for rooting for Harden’s camp versus Durant’s squad.

"Thunder fans, unfortunately, do have horses in this race, and those horses are thoroughbred, Triple Crown caliber, beautiful and iconic studs. Those horses are Kevin Durant and James Harden, they were stolen from the OKC corral, and now Thunder fans are being forced to watch them run the derby."

The article expertly analyzes why OKC Thunder fans should view this game with an inherit interest on who’ll advance to the NBA Finals.

Next: Profile: Collin Sexton draws intriguing pro comparison

As for me,  I expect to be back here tomorrow regretting not pushing the Part IV narrative from season start. There are some things in the sports world you just don’t bet against. Like the Spurs making the playoffs, never betting against LeBron in game 7’s and what I hope will be the final time I have to endure the Warriors and Cavaliers in the finals!