Roundtable Sessions- OKC Thunder expectations and former players segment

Tamberlyn Richardson:

I have a different take on Paul George based on how he handled the situation (more coming in a future article). Therefore:

Westbrook: Loud City breaks an in arena sound record with gratitude applause

Grant: Warm welcome to start the game, then typical opponent treatment

George: Resounding SILENCE ‘

Having said this – respond how you want – you are the fans that support the OKC Thunder so if you appreciated the players show them and if you didn’t then show them.

Rylan Stiles:

If you look at my Twitter you will see I was a big fan of Jerami Grant and in fact, he was my favorite OKC Thunder player since they traded for him from Philly. However, he did not impact this organization enough to earn any reception. Good or bad. The team traded him as an expiring contract to get something before he hits the open market and that’s that. He does not need some grand ovation and he also should not get booed. Jerami Grant does not really need a positive or negative reaction. He is just another player who past through OKC.

For Paul George, I do not have a rule of thumb. The day he signed his extension was huge for this city and organization. However, he immediately tarnished that the very next offseason. On the floor, he did not do all that much in the postseason, given the injuries he had to battle.

Bringing the Thunder to a 4th seed and a 6th seed while having an MVP level regular season is all well and good, but like Grant, he did not do enough to impact this franchise to make a huge spectacle out of his return, especially with the way it ended and the ripple effect it caused. I would understand a few boos from emotional fans, I would understand minor applause but neither needs to be an extreme reaction. The OKC Thunder does not have to honor him before the game or anything like that either.

Noah Schulte:

Respectful. George and Grant gave their all to the team, and both were team players right up to the very end. I can’t imagine the crowd’s reaction being anywhere near the one they had for KD’s return.

Aidan E:

George and Grant should both be cheered when they return. George had two great seasons with the Thunder and played through injuries during last years playoffs. Grant went from a raw-prospect to a top 75 player in the NBA and was loved by fans when he was here.

Chase Beal-Sharp:

Paul George will probably be booed, but he should be cheered. The reason he should be cheered is because he could have left after his first season in OKC, but he re-signed. We were blessed with an MVP type campaign alongside Westbrook for another season. We were also able to get a barrage of draft picks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for him, compared to nothing if he left a year earlier.

Jeremi Grant should be cheered because he never requested a trade and spent three seasons with the franchise.

Matthew Hallet:

George gave his all last year, he bled for the city and played through shoulder pain. He just saw something that the fans did not want to see. This team could complete for most nights with anyone. However, the team was not going to win four series in the playoffs with how it was structured. He should be applauded, not adored.

Grant, had he not of made his sinking ship comments also should have been applauded but now should be greeted with indifference as he just shaded the team which developed him.

Kevon Stewart:

They should all be cheered for the contributions to the team. They played their hearts out while they wore an OKC jersey and they represented the team with respect.

Tyler Barger:

The fans will probably stand up and cheer both Grant and George.