OKC Thunder: The 6-step plan to get the most out of 2021-22 season

The OKC Thunder season is just around the corner with opening night set for October 19th. Unlike previous years the 2021-22 iteration of the Thunder won’t be vying for a playoff position. Rather, during this rebuilding stage of the franchise, the goal will be to finish with the best opportunity of nabbing the 2022 top pick in the draft.

While Thunder Nation is fully prepared for another season of tanking that doesn’t mean there won’t be ample reasons to get excited about this young developing squad.

OKC Thunder 6-step mini-guide to get the most from the 2021-22 season

Therefore, as fans wait in anticipation, Intentions offer up a six-step mini-guide of tips to help you appreciate this coming season to its full potential.

Trust what Sam Presi says – “don’t underestimate Josh Giddey”

I got the chance to watch Josh Giddey play in the Australian National Basketball League before he declared for the draft. Some people may be thinking will he live up to expectations? Will he make the OKC Thunder better?

I say yes! It might take some time for Giddey to become comfortable on the court but for an 18-year-old, who has already played professionally, he’s got huge potential with his versatility and creative playmaking. I believe it won’t be long before he wins fans over.

Keep in touch with OKC Thunder fans on social media

It’s expected that this season will be another year for the OKC Thunder rebuild for the future rather than trying to make the postseason.

Twitter is a great platform for fans to share the excitement and emotion of amazing games but also come together when times are tough.

In the past, I’ve gone straight to Twitter after a loss and seen the fanbase come together virtually to lift everyone’s spirits. Whether you want to talk about basketball or even just life, Thunder Twitter and Thunder Nation are awesome.

Create a game day tradition or routine

I’m sure many can agree that as fans we sometimes like to think we could go onto the court and hit a game-winning shot or grab that late-game steal. Despite being spectators, why not make our own pre-game traditions and routines. Whether that’s wearing your Thunder jersey the entire game-day, or making a special pre-game meal. It’s a cool way to get into the NBA spirit.

Create an OKC Thunder 2021-22 season playlist

Music and basketball just hit differently. Whether you’re getting ready for the game or celebrating a victory, music always helps to get you hyped.

It’s always fun to make a playlist for when you’re getting ready for the game. Plus Drake has just come out with his new Certified Lover Boy album, which could give you some good tracks to add to your NBA playlist.

Reminisce and imagine

If you’re sentimental like me, you probably still watch old Thunder videos and think about where you were, and what you were doing at that moment, or even shed a few tears.

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

As we approach a season where we don’t know what to expect, where there may be more losses than we anticipate, let’s allow ourselves to rewind and relive some of the greatest times of franchise history.

Maybe it’ll help us to envision the Thunder’s potential and how much we have to look forward to as we continue to support the squad in their rebuild phase.

Embrace the season for what it is

Now, this is the complete opposite of my previous tip but I thought it would be a good closing point. I’ll admit that I can get ahead of myself and think too much about what the future holds for the Thunder that I forget about how they’re playing at the moment.

Losing can do that. But NBA seasons are long. We spend much of the offseason thinking about when basketball will be back again. So let’s enjoy every game, embrace losses, but especially the WINS and individual successes to come.

This team is special. Not many teams can say that they have so much talent and potential star power on a rebuilding team. Let’s see where this season takes us.