Rock bottom and back
History made a lot of the fact that the OKC Thunder started their tenure with a 3-29 record. But do you know what’s worse than 3-29? 1-16. Following their first victory on the previous page, the Thunder promptly lost their next 14 games, dropping to that absurdly bad 1-16.
In the depths of that losing streak, it seemed like they would never win again. Coach PJ Carlesimo was fired after 10 consecutive losses, paving the way for interim Head Coach Scott Brooks. Still, they lost four more.
On November 29, though, they got one.
In a 111-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, KD scored 30 points, Jeff Green added 22, and Russ made his first career start, but it was former OSU Cowboy Desmond Mason who made the winning plays down the stretch. He blocked attempts by Kyle Lowry (he played for Memphis?) and Rudy Gay in the closing minutes, helping to secure the victory.
The Thunder started the 2008 season 3-29, but they finished 20-30. It was a sign of things to come.