OKC Thunder: Chris Paul emotional message to teammates and fans

Following the Game 7 loss and end of season OKC Thunder captain, Chris Paul sent a heartfelt thank you message to the fan base.

Four days after the season ended for the OKC Thunder it’s still very raw trying to process how those final minutes of Game 7 transpired. Likewise, it’s impossible not to feel empathy for Chris Paul who delivered as close to a perfect performance in Game 6 to force the Game 7 winner take all match.

On top of that, the fact the Rockets took the first game against the Lakers only serves to add salt to the wound. Especially considering the Thunder personnel perhaps offered an even better matchup versus LA.

In the immediate aftermath of the loss, it was heartwrenching witnessing Paul at the media podium, head down, choking back tears. Game 7 wasn’t his best performance of the series and yet he still found a way to be a factor with his fingerprints all over the contest.

His mentoring of the youngsters were on display as Luguentz Dort went off for 30 points becoming the youngest player in NBA history to do so. Time and again, Thunder Nation witnessed CP3 go directly to Dort and say ‘shoot that’. His unwavering belief in each of Dort, Darius Bazley, and in particular Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resulted in the obvious confidence each displayed throughout the season and into the playoffs.

Like Dort, Paul entered the record books on the opposite end of the spectrum becoming the oldest NBA player to record a triple-double in the playoffs. That result was courtesy of 19 points, 11 rebounds,  and 12 assists.  Moreover, it came via an efficient 5 of 11 from the field (45.5 percent) and 3 of 6 from deep (50 percent). If there were any flaws to this performance it was his six turnovers and perhaps not being more selfish down the stretch.

Even then, there were plays called late in the game that clearly came from the sideline and not from Paul which is one of the things we didn’t typically see in clutch time this season.

Paul delivers an emotional message to OKC Thunder team and fans

On the morning after the loss, Paul was still emotional and he spoke directly to the fanbase and organization. The full video can be viewed below or if you prefer to read his message Logan Newman of ThunderWire took the time to type out the transcript. of his message.

There were comments made regarding the future and the uncertainty of it. This isn’t to say Paul is heading anywhere since he’s still under contract to the OKC Thunder.

Rather, it’s part and parcel of a veteran player knowing his value skyrocketed this season and with the Thunder future up in the air, he could be headed elsewhere.

Paul also thanked Sam Presti and his comments tell more about what isn’t said than what was. Having played for the three other franchises it feels like this was the best treatment he’s received over his 15-year career.

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The most endearing comments were saved for his teammates and the fans. CP3 clearly felt a real kinship with Oklahoma City having played his initial season in OKC due to hurricane Katrina. Although he didn’t end up in the trio of MVP candidates he was undeniably the MVP of this OKC Thunder team.

The emotion in Paul’s voice was palpable as he spoke of how special this team was comparing it to only one other experience the 2010-11 Hornets squad which coincidentally was the last season he played in New Orleans.

The OKC Thunder is under no pressure to trade away Paul and there are more than a few reasons to rationalize keeping him regardless of what happens with free agent Danilo Gallinari or other shoppable veterans like Dennis Schroder and Steven Adams.

For now, much like Chris Paul, we are still absorbing the miracle season which came to a much earlier end that many of us were hoping.