OKC Thunder: The inevitable collision course of Chris Paul and the Rockets

In hindsight, it seems inevitable the OKC Thunder and captain Chris Paul would meet the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs

The 2020 NBA playoffs began yesterday. The second set of four games tips off today including the team that prognosticators claimed this preseason would be attending another event this week – – featuring lottery balls. This is the same OKC Thunder squad analysts said would hold a fire sale with the goal of offloading a once valued veteran point guard along with several draft picks to rid themselves of his services.

It’s funny how time, commitment, and energy altered that reality. Instead of trading away Chris Paul, the Point God has bolstered his value and spearheaded the development of the incredible chemistry of the Clutch Time Killers.

That OKC will play the team they traded not one but two prior franchise superstars to, with Russell Westbrook heading to Houston for Paul seems fated. It’s as if that trade set in motion this inevitable collision course.

More surprising is Paul who was painted as injury-prone is the player who’ll lace up his kicks while Westbrook is sidelined nursing a strained quadriceps muscle. Thunder fans know the Brodie would play if he could and he’s probably pining to be with his new team helping their cause.

OKC Thunder captain Chris Paul was fated to play Rockets in postseason

Again, this feels like a scripted plot considering how the teams have arrived at this day. In early December, Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated provided greater clarity on Paul’s exit from Houston.

What isn’t known is whether James Harden had any hand in the trade, in terms of requesting it or forcing Rockets G.M. Daryl Morey to make the exchange. It’s been implied, but never confirmed.

"It is no secret that Paul and Harden did not see eye to eye last season. Sources said the two feuded when the Rockets lost to the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2019 playoffs. Paul acknowledged that he and Harden “haven’t really talked” since he was traded."

CP3 told Spears he was told days prior to the trade he would be back with Houston and would not be headed to OKC.

"“My initial reaction?” Paul said with a laugh. “I was shocked. Truth be told, I just talked to Daryl a couple days before the trade and he said he wasn’t going to trade me [to Oklahoma City].”"

The predominant thinking at the time of the Spears-Paul interview continued to be that the Thunder were rebuilding. It was less than 20 games into the season and the Thunder were still figuring out their chemistry having registered an 8-11 record.

Revisiting Spears’ article over eight months later hints at what was coming. Head Coach Billy Donovan gushed about Paul’s mentorship and professionalism. Cornerstone talent, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander credits Paul for the veritable encyclopedic knowledge he has to draw from and referred to their ‘brotherly bond’.

Over the course of the season, the relationship between CP3, SGA, and Darius Bazley has been well chronicled. Immediate dividends were witnessed with the graceful Canadian’s rapid ascent. Lately, however, the time Paul has spent with rookie Darius Bazley is paying dividends.

The rookie scored 23, 22, and 21 points in successive seeding games versus Washington, Phoenix, and Miami. The OKC Thunder noted the only other rookie in franchise history to accomplish that feat was Russell Westbrook.

And while you let that irony sink in, let’s stop for a second and consider how happy Paul is with this team that is molded in his character.

Other than his rookie season, I’m hard-pressed to remember CP3 smiling and laughing this much. Sure, he may have been surrounded by the high flyers in “Lob City” and made deep but unsuccessful title runs in Houston. But can you recall him ever looking so happy?

That everyone wrote him and his new team off before they even played a single match only adds to the deliciousness of this situation.

While the Thunder may not have enough talent to go all the way, there is no denying their prowess, especially since Thanksgiving. What’s more, since no one expected them to be here they’re playing with house money. There’s no pressure on the Thunder or Paul to win. Unlike the Lakers who are under a microscope or the Clippers and Bucks who’ve been scrutinized and dissected with fans, analysts, and their upper management having great expectations for them.

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Add the Houston Rockets to that list, since they made the Westbrook-Paul trade also jettisoning four draft picks to OKC with the sole objective of winning the title.

The Disney bubble is ‘the great unknown’. Without travel or screaming opponent fan bases to navigate, it could prove beneficial especially for youngsters who typically are affected by those postseason dynamics.

The bottom line is Chris Paul and the 2019-20 iteration of the OKC Thunder have already won before the ball is tipped today at 5:30 p.m. CT.

No matter if they win a game or they oust the Rockets, this season will be considered one of the most entertaining and enjoyable in franchise history.

The thing is, much like everyone discounted this Thunder team and were ready to write off Chris Paul it feels like this season has been destined from the start. The sudden rise up the ranks, the team’s clutch time dominance, the close bond of the group, the Point God’s reemergence and repeatedly defying all those early season predictions.

Winning this series won’t negate all those wonderful memories. But, it sure would be a fitting reward for Chris Paul who demonstrated professionalism and grace by not only accepting but embracing his role and situation.