Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder: Top 10 moments of 2009-2010 season

By Stephen Dolan

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 111-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 111-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The pass

On January 20, 2009, the OKC Thunder were 8-34, and were in the midst of one of the most dreadful starts to a season in recent memory. On January 20, 2010, the OKC Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-92 for their 24th win of the season. They had won 23 games in the entire previous season.

The box score says that KD logged a 31 point, 10 rebound double-double, and that Russ had nine points and nine assists. It also says that Harden scored 12 points off the bench, and that Jeff Green played 44 minutes in a January game (Young legs!).

Jeff Green had a game-saving block of future Thunder player Corey Brewer, allowing the Thunder to walk away from Minnesota with a road victory.

None of that is as important, though, as how far the team had come. After winning only 23 games the previous season, they were now 24-18, and well on the way to their first Playoff berth.

It may have been just a meaningless January game in Minnesota to most teams, but to OKC it was a huge sign of things to come.

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