OKC Thunder: TI writing team dives in with a holiday roundtable
A third of the way into the season the team at Thunderous Intentions decided it was perfect time to revisit our OKC Thunder holiday roundtable session.
Two seasons ago the TI team brought in the holidays with a Christmas roundtable and readers reached out to ask if we’d revisit it. In the spirit of the holidays and delivering on what our viewers are keen to read the following is a reboot from the first roundtable.
The Games:
- 12:00 PM: Bucks (22-10) vs. Knicks (9-25) on ESPN
- 3:00 PM: OKC Thunder (21-11) vs. Rockets (17-15) on ABC
- 5:30 PM: 76ers (22-12) vs. Celtics (19-13) on ABC
- 8:00 PM: Lakers (19-14) vs. Warriors (23-11) on ABC (and ESPN)
- 10:30 PM: Blazers (19-14) vs. Jazz (16-18) on ESPN
All times listed are Eastern Standard (ET).
With the menu outlined, I give you question one.
Question 1:
The OKC Thunder are playing the Houston Rockets in the second game on the NBA Christmas Day agenda. Aside from this game which match are you most excited to watch?
Stephen Dolan: Oh wait, there are other games? Let me go look at the schedule… Let’s see…
Well, it’s definitely not the one with the Knicks in it. Hmm, no Raptors? That’s weird, or I guess it’s not. I suppose since I can’t just double down and say “forget these others, the Thunder are playing the Rockets!” I’ll go with… The Golden State Warriors vs the Los Angeles LeBrons. That one should be fun.
Justin Cooper: Definitely a tough call with the Celtics playing the Sixers, but I have to give the edge to the Lakers-Warriors matchup. LeBron always lights it up on Christmas and I’d be hard pressed to think of a better gift to end Christmas day than watching the Warriors lose on their home floor.
Alex Mcewen: I am torn between the two divisional games, Lakers vs. Warriors and Jazz vs. Blazers. Warriors-Lakers will either be a rout or the best match of the Holiday. There will be no middle ground with this game.
On the other hand Jazz vs. Blazers will have implications on the Thunder, as all three squads reside in the Northwest Division. Outside of Knicks vs. Bucks, all the matchups are great and I am looking forward to them all.
Austin Sternlicht: Lakers at Warriors. LeBron’s new team has benefited from a soft schedule. We’ll finally find out how good they really are against a healthy Warriors team.
Noah Schulte: The Philadelphia 76ers versus the Boston Celtics should be an absolute blast. Aside from the actual basketball, watching an entire arena of Boston fans ruthlessly heckle a player for refusing to shoot a three is going to be a fun little Christmas gift that I will almost assuredly shun my family to watch.
Lawrence George: Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors. The Lakers have one of the worst fan bases in all of the NBA, constantly blowing smoke up their team after years of ineptitude. LeBron James is one of the greatest players to ever grace the court however, the team assembled by Magic Johnson doesn’t fit around LBJ’s skill set.
While I have a serious disdain for Kevin Durant more than Golden State itself, watching the Lakers fall to an actual contender will bring me great satisfaction.
Tamberlyn Richardson: Although I asked this question I’m delivering a bit of a cop-out answer. Fans seldom get a full slate of entertaining games so I’m hopeful Giannis Antetokounmpo kicks off the day with a historic performance in the Mecca and the momentum builds from there.