Seven months later reflecting on ‘the wave’ that forever changed the OKC Thunder
April 23, 2019, will forever be cemented in OKC Thunder lore marking the end of the initial era. Yet, one action serves as the visual reference point – the wave goodbye.
Portland is the team that essentially kick-started the replenish and reposition era when they ousted OKC’s duo superstar team last spring. The Damian Lillard cheeky wave goodbye will forever be tied to the last time Russell Westbrook wore an OKC Thunder jersey.
That wave is the marker for all that occurred in OKC this offseason and in many ways also in Portland, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Houston.
It will also serve to remind Sam Presti of the player (Paul George) he took a risk on hoping he would put the finishing touches and bow on the initial Thunder era. Only for that player who deemed he had unfinished business (via his Instagram) in OKC to decide one season after uttering those words that business was done.
A trade request was made and depending on whether you believe in tall tales came almost a week prior to the Moratorium. Hey, Paul George loves to fish and I put this in the same category of the fisherman telling the story about the one who got away. In other words – Paul’s story is — the fish that got away — or a fish tale of gigantic proportions.
Look at the reality of the moment…. the night the moratorium is about to begin Sam Presti isn’t in OKC working the phones to make the Paul George trade happen. He’s in Minnesota recruiting Mike Muscala and talking to Alec Burks. Why on earth would Presti be doing that if he was told five days earlier the information George implies was delivered?
Moreover, why go back to Burks and Muscala (and Nerlens Noel) to let them know they can renege on the moratorium handshake deals given the circumstances?
Because — Paul George is telling a fish story!
In terms of the immediate, this season began with a stumble as the OKC Thunder initial five games came with a single win and four losses capped by a clutch time loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Since that October 30 game, however, the new iteration of the Thunder has slowly developed chemistry learned together and started to tilt the odds in their favor.
Notably, the Blazers got to the Western Conference Finals last season and offseason moves were made with expectations they could return and possibly surpass their 2018-19 performance.
Conversely, the flux in OKC did not come with any expectations. Rather, to the delight of the fan base, the team has been competitive in a season where most expected losses and the types of blowouts associated with lottery teams.
Yet, since their initial loss to the Blazers the Thunder has grown, learning how to close out tight games and recently fixed their game starts and third quarter starts recognizing playing with energy particularly in those moments will make a difference at game end.
Following OKC’s win in Portland, the Blazers fell to 12th on the ladder of 15 in the West and the team with no expectations is suddenly sitting in the seventh seed. The trade deadline may change everything but for the moment this game may serve as a harbinger of how nothing is ever written in stone.
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Simply because a team performed well one season there is no guarantee that same path will be open to them the following season. Likewise, losing upper-end talent may be costly in the postseason, but having a team who functions as such can lead to highly competitive games and quite possibly put them in a better overall position.
That’s where we are with the Blazers and Thunder. Portland is clearly affected by the injuries but they still boast top-end talents who should at the very least be able to sustain a .500 record. The fact they aren’t might speak more to the roster compilation not being a solid fit.
Instead, it’s the Thunder who are fitting and for now in a better position not just in the current season but well into the future given that crammed draft closet in Presti’s office.
It felt like a gut punch when Dame Lillard waved bye-bye, then turned to the camera with that all-knowing look which said everything without needing to say a word.
Seven and a half months later from that April 23rd wave the Blazers feature a new trio of Dame, CJ McCollum, and Carmelo Anthony and are in a dog fight just to catch up to the chase pack seeking a bottom rung on the ladder. The Blazers boast the most expensive roster payroll in the Association and have no extra picks to play with.
Russell Westbrook is in Houston still looking odd in red and frequently a spectator in the bearded man’s nightly assault. Paul George is in LA selling tall tales to a fun guy.
And the OKC Thunder are positioned to make the postseason, developing a new youthful core, armed with draft options for years and on the cusp of financial relief.
Smile and wave OKC, smile, and wave!
Next. Thunder use defense to dismantle the Jazz – player grades. dark
Having won in Portland and Utah the OKC Thunder will get a well deserved prior to playing their third game in four nights in Sacramento. Check back with Thunderous Intentions for game related articles, opinion, and analysis.