OKC Thunder: Payne discards dance shoes to display playoff prowess

With the NBA Playoffs in full motion, OKC Thunder fans are sidelined for only the third time in 13 seasons. Yet, being basketball-loving fans we are still actively invested in postseason action.

Teams will all have played two games after the three matches tonight. As Intentions noted recently there are several former OKC Thunder players participating.

Kevin Durant and James Harden are making easy work of the Celtics. Russell Westbrook will attempt to even the series versus his good friend (wink) Joel Embiid Wednesday night. Likewise, Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson look to even their series versus the Hawks.

Paul ‘Playoff P’ is struggling versus Luka the Don with the team he left the Thunder for (Clippers) heading to Dallas down 2-0 in the series.

Depending on the outcomes of games Wednesday, the East is following a typical pattern where the upper portion (top three seeds) of the East’s ladder is dominating.

Likewise, the West is displaying the parity of the Conference with each of the top teams three teams embroiled in a battle to win the first round.

Former OKC Thunder player Cameron Payne steps into playoff spotlight

Of all the series, the one drawing Intentions interest is the 2-7 series between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite being the defending champions the Lakers are still seeking to regain their form due to a myriad of injuries. LeBron James missed over 20 games due to a high ankle sprain, Anthony Davis dealt with an assortment of injuries, and former OKC Thunder guard Dennis Schroder took a few games to rediscover his form after a prolonged absence due to COVID-19.

Yet the injury which is playing the greatest role in the series is to former OKC Thunder Chris Paul who suffered a shoulder contusion in Game 1 which limited him to 23 minutes in Game 2.

The absence of CP3 in clutch time was palpable. But, the Suns were in the game based on another former Thunder player. Cameron Payne rose to the occasion registering 19 points, seven assists, three assists, one steal, and two blocks in 33 minutes.

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Payne dealt with foot injuries for much of his time in OKC which is ironic given he’s known more as Westbrook’s pregame dance partner than for the 77 games he participated in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. He was included in the trade deadline deal with the Bulls that brought Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson to OKC.

Between February 24th, 2017, and December 30th, 2018, Payne appeared in 67 games for the Bulls. After a brief stint with the Cavaliers, the point guard spent time auditioning for teams looking to find a role and finally landed with the Suns last season in the Orlando bubble.

He carved out a niche as the backup to the Point God in Phoenix registering 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 18 minutes per game while shooting a robust 44 percent from the perimeter on 2.8 attempts.

With the uncertainty of how bad Paul’s shoulder injury is Payne will take on an increased role. If his performance Tuesday is an indication of what to expect, Cam may want to hang up those dancing shoes for the time being.