The 2020-21 season may be over for the OKC Thunder but, for 20 other teams, there are still games remaining to be played.
Missing out on such action for the first time in six seasons, and only for the second time throughout their 13 year existence, Oklahoma City will be watching this year’s postseason from the comfort of their own homes, which means fans of the organization are left wondering how they should go about watching the rest of the campaign.
Traditionally, they’ve had their favorite ball club participating in the playoffs, thus giving them a clear mindset heading in — Thunder or bust.
Now, however, the fanbase finds itself in somewhat uncharted territory.
As we lead into Tuesday’s start to the play-in tournament, which will be followed by the kickoff to the 2021 playoffs this coming Saturday, TI has prepared OKC Thunder fans a guide to how they can continue to enjoy the festivities even without their favorite team being a part of them:
Way OKC Thunder fans could watch 2021 postseason No. 1) Venomously root against the Nets
Just like every great story needs a hero, one also must have a great villain to combat the tale’s protagonist.
In the event that the 2020-21 campaign is ever converted into a novelization (we know it never will, so relax), while there are a few arguments to be made as to who could be written in as the hero, there’s no doubt as to who the villain would wind up being.
Unequivocally, it’s the Brooklyn Nets.
Assembled in a dirty fashion through salary space and mid-season trades, the team is led by three of the league’s most unlikeable personalities in Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and the cupcake himself, Kevin Durant.
Just like the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors of the early and late 2010s, respectively, Brooklyn finds itself thrust into that hated “superteam” status, and everyone seemingly loves to root for their demise.
For OKC Thunder fans, the disdain for the team has more of a personal feel than most others, but the concept is still the same — no matter who’s going up against the Nets, one will act as if they are their lifelong favorite franchise.