Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder Social: Best social media from NBA opening week

By Alex Mcewen

OKC Thunder Bench (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder Bench (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Social gathers the best tweets and Instagram posts compiling them in one central location. This week the column reflects on opening week.

Although the NBA took a hit in television ratings, opening week still lit NBA Twitter on fire, as fans, critics, and pundits sounded off about various topics. Particularly popular topics were OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook’s bench snack attack & shirtless appearance, Jaylen Brown’s poster dunk, and LeBron James’ & Kawhi Leonard’s debuts with their new squads.

With that, let’s review a few eye-catching posts to hit the internet, prior to opening night.

Important reading for all NBA fans

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1052239265038397442

OKC Thunder crack ESPN’s tip-off power rankings

Rest in peace Paul Allen

Allen was the co-founder of Microsoft, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers & Seattle Seahawks, and an active philanthropist. Allen is survived by his sister Jody Allen and her three children Gardner, Faye, and Duncan Patton.

Alex Kennedy of hoops hype offered a digital Thunder preview

Myles Turner reached a deal

And Kristaps Porzingis did not

An illustration of OKC’s three biggest cheerleaders

Kawhi on what he missed most about basketball

Laughter is contagious

LeBron sings ‘Let it Go’ with daughter Zhuri

When LeBron James is on the basketball court, the opposing team’s defense is at his mercy. But, when LBJ is with daughter Zhuri, he is at her mercy. In the clip below the sweet 3-year-old wanted her dad to sing ‘Let it Go’ and he happily obliged.

https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1052014747598508033

Steph Curry with an interesting take on what ring night is like

TI writers provide playoff predictions

Opening Day

It’s Game Day

Jaylen posterizes Joel

Final from Boston

Gordon Hayward returned

Rapid reaction from the first game of the season

The mood during any game break

The beginning of the end

Reading the tea leaves

Fan overreaction is the best reaction

This request was prompted by Donovan simply announcing his opening night starting lineup.

PG’s first bucket of the 2018-19 season

Over the top or just enough?

Glass half full perspective

Steven Adams is a tremendous human being

Some rules ruin everything

https://twitter.com/MattReynolds___/status/1052408012185509889

Andre Roberson takes on his first prodigy

Kentucky praises their former Wildcat

Snacks are the most important meal of the day

Move over coach Donovan, coach Westbrook is here

This is the second instance Westbrook has been seen coaching during his playing absence. Perhaps, the Brodie has a coaching career in his future post-playing.

Could this play become a common sight in OKC?

Thunder fans have often clamored to see big man Steven Adams showcase his passing skills, on opening night Thunder Nation got their wish.

I have seen enough

Day two

The first Wednesday of the 2018-19 NBA season was chock full of social worthy moments, such as Rookie of the Year candidates taking the court for the first time, Dwayne Wade’s final season opener, and a Jimmy Butler meme.

RoY candidates, Ayton and Doncic face off

Then they shared a touching moment

Fan writes a heartfelt message to DWade

Never forget!

Knicks new mojo?

OKC Thunder fans have witnessed a fan hit the half-court on several occasions, and understand the event can swing the game’s momentum. The Knicks and their fans got to experience the same feeling on Wednesday night.

https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1052711386927661056

Melo’s rocky Rockets debut

Melo finished with nine points total, picking up right where he left off with the Thunder.

Some traditions never die

Kawhi confirms he is still a good player

Jazz hit the right note

The Jazz defeated the Kings in their season opener 123-117, then both teams exchanged pun-filled insults via their twitter accounts. The insults were nothing more than lighthearted banter, which the NBA has encouraged in the past. However, teams have also been warned not to cross the line when taunting each other via social media.

Day three

Day three provided an intriguing report regarding the NBA’s TV ratings. Fox Sports Southwest and Oklahoma analyst Antonio Daniels voiced support for Westbrook, in the wake of shade courtesy of Colin Cowherd, and Thunder players were active across Instagram.

NBA TV Ratings continue to decline

This news should be considered moderately alarming. However, the YouTube TV blackout on opening night and the quality of the nightcap match must be taken into account when discussing the matter.

AD continues to stand up for Russ and OKC

The King of LA officially makes his Lakers debut

Sixers blast the Bulls

The equinox is upon us

Teammate vibes

Blue light Russ

Hoodie Melo praises Oklahoma City

Sneaker throwback Thursday

GoldPatch on tap

It’s time for Who he Play for?

Day four

The first Friday of the 2018-19 season did not disappoint. There were nine games on deck, the highlights of the night include, two game-winners, eight teams scoring 120 or more points, the Pelicans topped the scoreboard with 149. And, last, but not the least, Westbrook went shirtless for the first half against the Clippers.

Russ goes all natural

Oklahoma must be defense intolerant

Can the Thunder’s offense and defense please stand up?

Grant abuses the rim

The life of a young NBA center

PG the playmaker?

Kawhi likely silenced his own MVP chants

Yes, yes it is

Playing big is working well in New Orleans

Levert levels the Knicks with the night’s first game-winner

We are all entertained

What is going on here?

Update: Westbrook put on a shirt

Time to sign Singler

Checking in with the Greek Freak

Tensions flare inside Staples

The Jazz are for real

I concur

Balance is important in basketball

‘Can’ play Noel

Unguardable

Marc Gasol captures the essence of winning

Who does not enjoy Michael Cage?

Joe Jingles

Seems like an impressive record

https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1053506568262578176

The tide turns against OKC

That’s nasty

Play so nice, it was included twice

Warriors core four getting it done

From villain to MVP

Jonas Jerebko’s revenge and the second game-winner of the night

New year, same habits

Better luck next time

Something we can all agree upon

More from Thunder News

Thus concludes a super-sized edition of Sunday Social, take a look at TI’s gameday preview and come back after the game for post-game grades.

I hope everyone enjoyed opening week, despite the Thunder’s 0-2 record.

Hopefully the home opener today offers two things to get excited about: Russell Westbrook’s return and a win.

For more social vibes, follow the Thunderous Intentions Twitter feed and my personal feed.

The next best of social media article will feature activity during October 22 – 29 and publish on Tuesday October 30th.

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