OKC Thunder statement win offers ample reason to give thanks – key takeaways

Deja vu:

Anytime the OKC Thunder play the Golden State Warriors the game is going to carry extra relevance. It can’t help but. After all, the summer of 2016 will forever resonate as the year the team shifted from the Durant era to the Westbrook era. With OKC up 3-1 on the Warriors and seemingly headed for the franchise’s second championship appearance the wheels came off.

What followed was inarguably the lowest moment in franchise history. The golden child not only defected he joined the very team who had just won 73 games and boasted a two-time MVP of their own. He did it without remorse, care or regret. The undertones were clear – this was Russell Westbrook’s fault – he was holding Durant back.

Everyone understands it was a business decision. It just felt extremely personal for all involved.

In hindsight, witnessing the back to back champs awaking from their REM ‘dream period’ as Steve Kerr referred to it carries a certain congruity to it.

For the first time in the Durant – Golden State tenure (or Kerr’s era for that matter), there is a heaviness surrounding the Dubs both on and off the court. Perhaps the off court friction is real or maybe it’s a simple narrative for pundits and fans to be drawn to.