OKC Thunder – Blazers Game 1 preview: grab a cupcake and let the journey begin!

As the journey for the OKC Thunder to claim the gold ball begins the first roadblock comes courtesy of the Blazers. Buckle up and let the games begin.

Well, friends, here it is — the day we’ve all been thirsting for since April 27th, 2018. On that fateful date, last season the OKC Thunder bowed out of the playoffs having lost 4-2 to the upstart Utah Jazz. What followed was a delightful offseason with Paul George taking the road less traveled to (GASP) come back to OKC and play alongside (SHOCKER) – the superstar apparently no pundit believes other stars want to play beside.

Although this season hasn’t come without adversity in all forms of bumps and bruises it has offered moments and glimpses of something special and dare I say this feeling of destiny (more on that later). Specifically, Russell Westbrook once again proved to be the triple-double king and put his critics on notice that he has no issue acquiescing to another superstar to bring out the best from both and their supporting cast.

To that end, Paul George offered up arguably his best professional season until a series of injuries stopped his seeming surge toward a possible Most Valuable Player award and strong consideration for Defensive Player of the year.

First one shoulder than the other caused a regression in George’s ascent and was ill-timed to the hardest portion of the team’s schedule. Within a matter of weeks, the OKC Thunder shifted from charging hard to overtake the top two seeds, to a subsequent free fall (7-14 segment) which had us pondering if OKC was doomed to face the Warriors in the first round.

However, as is typical of this club and the pulse of it  (Mr. Beastbrook) they proved yet again writing them off is never wise. Instead, the Thunder kicked into another gear to win their final five games and claim the sixth seed. Simultaneously, lady luck shined on our team as the Blazers pulled off a comeback win to close the season and steal the three seed from the Rockets.

The resulting effect is both squads positioned themselves in the opposite bracket of the Warriors meaning they would not meet until the conference finals. Let’s be clear, even after Jusuf Nurkic suffered his devastating injury the Blazers are still a team rife with talent and depth. In spite of a season sweep, Portland isn’t simply going to roll over and hand the Thunder the series. Still, of all the options available this felt like the perfect landing spot.

The questions are plentiful as the Thunder begins their journey in hopes of recording 16 wins in order to lay hands on that big gold ball….

Can this squad summon the necessary effort for a deep run to the conference finals?

Will shoulder injuries limit the emergence of the ‘Playoff P’ we witnessed mid season?

Are the Thunder fated to align for a big helping of 2016 revenge?

And, can the stars align to provide an opportunity for the former golden child to come full circle to face the team and former running mate he left?

Pull up a chair, grab a plateful of cupcakes and let the games begin!