OKC Thunder didn’t create tanking – aren’t to blame for NBA disparity

When the OKC Thunder lost by 73 points to the Memphis Grizzlies, media outlets, talking heads, and blogs all jumped on the story to spout their outrage. How dare Sam Presti make a mockery of the association just to tank.

Forget the facts – just jump on narrative and rant about how the Thunder are ruining the image of the NBA. HUH?

Did I miss something? Sure it wasn’t ideal OKC lost by that much but where were the facts? Many of the same people complaining about the loss and how it impacts the NBA are the same “experts” who turn a blind eye to how certain stars’ actions have impacted and dare I say hurt the NBA product.

Where is the outrage over Ben Simmons who refuses to play for his team even after signing a max contract? It’s been whispered about for years how Simmons is coddled by his inner circle and no one wants to tell him the pure hard facts that he needs to improve his shot if he wants to be considered among the league’s best players.

He had no issues telling everyone he deserved to be the starting All-Star Point Guard or win Defensive Player of the Year. Yet, when he clearly was afraid to shoot even under the basket in the playoffs he was nowhere to be found to explain why.  I’m not ignoring the mental health aspect of this situation but I’m sorry to say I’m not convinced that’s the main reason for his standoff.

Reputation precedes people and if you recall Simmons was the guy who elected to stop going to his college classes once his team didn’t make the NCAA tournament. A move that cost him an opportunity to win the Wooden Award. In fact, he barely went to classes and said the only reason he attended college was to comply with the NBA requirements so he could get drafted.

James Harden spent time at his favorite chicken wing establishments last season, didn’t show up for practices. put his team in danger of catching the virus and was very obviously out of shape. All so he could force the GM to trade him — and not just trade him but trade him where he wanted to go.

Kyrie Irving is suspended by the Nets for refusal to be vaccinated — a choice he’s afforded. And while he said it was to stand up for those who wish not to exercise their rights to not be vaccinated have we heard a peep out of him since he declared that? How many events has he hosted to discuss the situation with more depth or to help those people he represents a forum to discuss it?

LeBron James changed the dynamics of the player in his era with his “decision” and the league has suffered for it ever since. Or more accurately SMALL MARKETS have suffered for it. Where is the outrage from the same people who jumped on the OKC Thunder toward these individuals?

Diving deeper into the narrative that lasted less than a week let’s consider why that is. The primary reason is the Thunder went out and won their very next match– and oh yeah it was against a team who’ve been rebuilding for a few years now and have three fewer wins than OKC (one from that victory).

OKC Thunder aren’t to blame for tanking or disparity in the NBA

When the tweets, articles, TV, and radio segments jumped on the loss it was frustrating to hear. Sure it was embarrassing but it was also insulting because rarely anyone discussing it was pointing out the obvious of who wasn’t playing in that match. Nevermind players were out with the flu which likely meant others weren’t feeling 100 percent but played anyway.

If the OKC Thunder are only about the tank then why did they bother to fight back in Detroit? It would’ve been very easy for the Thunder to throw up the white flag several times in the contest. They trailed by as much as 18 points making several runs to cut into that lead narrowing the margin to six in the third quarter but the Pistons pulled back ahead by 11.

With the OKC Thunder covetous of the top draft pick and the Pistons having only won four games it would’ve been easy to keep the differential within 10 points but make up some ground on Detroit with the loss.

Yet the Thunder didn’t quit, staying laser-focused on getting the win which offers some insight into this franchise. There are a handful of franchises in the association with the type of culture and identity the OKC Thunder has and that win was a perfect example of the mindset.

Copious media outlets tried to suggest Sam Presti and the Thunder franchise should receive some sort of punishment for tanking and the embarrassing loss. The win in Detroit sent a message this club has pride and a competitive spirit.

It was convenient those same media outlets who make excuses for the Lakers’ struggles because of injuries chose to ignore the Thunder players who were out in the Grizzlies match. Never mind that two other teams have fewer wins than OKC (and two are tied with them – one with two additional losses). Or the true tanking mockery of the “the Process” that went on for five years in a BIG MARKET that free agents are more apt to sign with.

The same talking heads who roasted the Thunder defended the Lakers when OKC beat them twice because LeBron was out.

Just because the Magic and Pistons aren’t getting blown out nightly it doesn’t mean they aren’t actively tanking. Just because the Rockets are on a winning streak it doesn’t ignore the fact a healthy John Wall isn’t being played and sat watching that franchise lose 15 games in a row!

My point is LeBron James and the powers that be made these rules so that the superstars and big market teams can continually succeed. The rich  – get richer as they say. Tell me how many times you’ve ever heard a superstar say “yeah – I’m taking my talents to OKC”.  Let’s get real here.

When Paul George demanded a trade to the Clippers, the bespeckled GM knew his hands were tied but acted with skill and deftness to snare the biggest trade package in recent history.  Intentions revisited that deal a year after the trade and already recognized how rare and immense the deal was by Presti:

"To Clippers:Paul George (and the insurance necessary for Kawhi Leonard to sign as a free agent)To OKC Thunder:Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderDanilo GallinariMiami Heat 2021 unprotected first-round draft pickClippers 2022 unprotected first-round draft pickMiami Heat 2023 protected 1 through 14 first-round draft pickRight to swap 2023 first-round pick with ClippersClippers 2024 unprotected first-round draft pickRight to swap 2025 first-round pick with ClippersClippers 2026 unprotected first-round draft pickNotably, just from this one trade, the Thunder have a minimum of an extra draft pick or swap for six of the next seven years."

Sam Presti didn’t create this monster, he’s simply trying to figure out a way to best capitalize within the parameters that were set up.

Are the players or front office happy about the loss to Memphis – that’s a resounding no! But, they also couldn’t control Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sustaining a concussion, Kenrich Williams twisting his ankle, or either Josh Giddey or Derrick Favors getting the flu.

I’ll concede the Thunder aren’t stacked with vets and depth. Yet, it should also be recognized by those so quick to judge the best way for Presti to use the restructuring years is to try out as many diamonds in the rough to find a gem or two. Moreover, why should a small market spend extra money during the rebuilding process when they will never get the same concessions big markets take for granted?

Again, Sam Presti isn’t the one who created the guidelines that predominantly benefit the large markets. What he is doing is trying to find loopholes within the restructuring process to gain the most leverage. He did it with the Paul George trade and subsequently, has turned the league upside down with the greatest accumulation of draft picks ever witnessed by one franchise.

If the end result produces a few generational talents that can put the OKC Thunder on an even playing field with the LA and New York teams as well as the power brokers (read: the superstars with all the power) along the way then kudos to Sam Presti for finding a way to allow a small market to succeed.

Just don’t punish him for looking to make the most of the circumstances. And please stop talking out of two sides of your mouth. Saying the Lakers aren’t excelling because soon to be 37 year old (December 30th) LeBron missed 12 games.

Especially when LA has Anthony Davis and a slew of players on minimum contracts that OKC would have to pay triple (at a minimum) the price to acquire.  Then out of the other side of your mouth blame the OKC Thunder for tarnishing the league’s reputation.

It’s hypocrisy at its finest they make excuses for the big market franchises that get copious benefits OKC can only dream about.

In precisely the same vein that we ask referees to call games consistently – it’s important the media do the same.