The top ten biggest villains in OKC Thunder history
I told you during the spoiler alert there would be one former Thunder on this list and it wouldn’t be Kevin Durant. By process of elimination, I’m sure you were able to figure who it was.
In a way, I feel for Reggie, and maybe you do to. Let me explain.
In your job, how would you feel if you were always stuck behind somebody. No matter how good you were at your job, there was always someone that was just way more naturally talented. That’s what Reggie Jackson felt during him time in OKC. As long as Reggie was a member of the Thunder, he would be stuck behind Russell Westbrook. Jackson could have been the hardest working player on the team, he still wouldn’t start. And if he didn’t start, he wouldn’t get the opportunity to maximize his skills and max out his money.
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Naturally, Jackson wanted out of OKC. He spent three years paying his dues and contributing at a moment’s notice. He was a quality backup, one of the best in the league. But like most players, especially for a young up-and-coming point guard, he wanted to do more. Reggie had every right to ask for a trade, but it was the way he went about it that puts him at the top half of this list.
Early in the 2015 season, Jackson’s last with the Thunder, he refused to play in the team’s third game after not getting a contract extension he liked. The Thunder offered him $48 million over 4 years. Even after he came back, the situation became so toxic, the Thunder were left with no choice but to trade him. Yes the Thunder acquired fan favorite Enes Kanter, but they also ended up with Kyle Singler, so I guess you can say those two cancel each other out.
Jackson did end up getting a five-year $80 million deal from this Pistons. So he ultimately made the right decision for himself to become a starting point guard and double his eventual salary. But again, it’s the way he went about it that leaves a bad taste in Thunder fans’ mouths. There was a severe lack of professionalism that forever tarnished this relationship. Take this excerpt from Steven Adams’ new book, which trashes Jackson on the way out.
The most notable on-court incident involving Reggie versus the Thunder game in an 88-82 Piston win. The Thunder, who were already locked into the three seed, rested Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka that night. Still, Jackson taunted the Thunder, acting like it was the biggest win of his life.
Oh, and Reggie tweeted this shortly after the Thunder’s game seven loss to the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Coincidence? I think not.
https://twitter.com/Reggie_Jackson/status/737485820211437568
Reggie played an important role in OKC Thunder history. His 32 point explosion during game four of the 2014 West Quarterfinals against Memphis saved the Thunder’s season. But maybe that was the game that made Reggie think he was a superstar. Either way, the bridge has been burned and his heroics are now an afterthought. They say be careful what you wish for. They should also say be careful how you wish for things.