OKC Thunder Roundtable sessions: Homage to Russell Westbrook

Tamberlyn Richardson:

Personally, I feel the golden era has to include a time when the original young group was still together. The 2011-12 run was the apex of this group as Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka were the formidable four.

In round one they swept the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks sparking coach Rick Carlisle to suggest they were ready to win it all.

"“They have a certain look in their eye right now, not that they just belong, but that this could be their time – Carlisle”"

Taking out Kobe Bryant and his Lakers in round two offered payback for two seasons prior. And the comeback from 0-2 to sweep the Spurs in four games offered some of the best games on record. This resulted in the first and only NBA Finals appearance. Although LeBron James’ hunger for his first title proved insurmountable the experience was thrilling and whet Thunder fans appetites for more. Hindsight is 20-20 given that series was the final time the quartet would play together but it remains the franchise’s benchmark. Through it all, Westbrook was a force offering memories to last a lifetime.

Rylan Stiles:

I think for me it was the OK3 not only beating the Golden State Warriors the day before Thanksgiving but absolutely dominating them with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant literally going head-to-head and the crowd (with me in attendance) going absolutely insane. While this win was not the most important, for me at least it felt like a “Wolf of Wallstreet” Moment.

It was almost as if this city, this fanbase, this franchise and Russell Westbrook told the Warriors and the NBA “We are still here!” “We aren’t (expletive) leaving!” it was almost proof that while life without KD had been different, the fanbase, franchise, and city is still bigger than one player. Something we all helped establish.

Noah Schulte:

Aidan E:

Either Game 6 versus the Spurs in 2012 to advance to the finals, or the 8-0 run they made in 2010 versus the Lakers in Game 3.

Matthew Hallet:

Going 3-1 up against the Warriors. We don’t talk about the rest of that season

Kevon Stewart:

When the team got to the NBA Finals for the first and last time. This was when the team had overcome the entire Western Conference and reigned supreme against the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks. The game one against Miami was incredibly shocking. It has to be the best moment for me.

Tyler Barger:

When the Oklahoma City Thunder won the Western Conference Finals. I remember how happy I was as a fan of this team the Thunder were going to the NBA Finals