Nothing’s normal about a Thunder vs. Golden State game
It’s just another game.
It was the cliche thrown out by two former teammates and friends on Tuesday, maybe not in those exact words but Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant said it in their distinct ways on the eve of Thunder versus Warriors.
Westbrook was asked whether Wednesday’s matchup at Chesapeake Energy Arena meant something more, or it was simply one in 82 games of the season. He was halfway through his explanation before stopping, then looking up as if he was searching in his head for the most Westbrookian of answers to a simple question.
Westbrook delivered his verdict to a few laughs.
“I’ve been at that point since, umm ...
“... since I got drafted.” Nearly 1,500 miles away, Durant looked off into the open space of the St. John’s University practice gym in Queens, New York. “It’s just a regular game for me now,” said Durant, who is listed as questionable with a sprained ankle, but is expected to play. “I learned to tune out the crowd, I learned to tune out the bulls*** and just play.”
The former dynamic duo can say the first meeting between the teams is standard fare, but there’s always something more.
There’s an electricity from both sides that produced the compelling NBA drama last season despite the Thunder losing by an average of 19.7 points in four meetings.
The Thunder wants to beat the Warriors. It did last season, as Westbrook was on a crusade to show the post-Durant Thunder wasn’t dead. The Warriors want to beat the Thunder. They did last season for Durant, in his first year with Golden State after signing as a free agent in the summer of 2016.
Where are the two teams now?
Golden State, the defending champion, is clicking, 13-4 and winner of nine of its last 10. The Thunder is still searching for its identity at 7-9, loser of five straight against teams with winning records.
In the current state of Thunder basketball, why would Westbrook be worried about anything other than in-house affairs? The trio of Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George was touted by many to make the Thunder a legitimate Western Conference title contender, but that potential hasn’t appeared yet. The defense has been solid against a less-than-challenging schedule, third in points allowed per 100 possessions (99.2). The offense has been underwhelming, with Westbrook, Anthony and George each shooting below 44 percent and still searching for consistency.
If the Thunder wins, or even plays well Wednesday, will it then be just another game ... or a turning point?
“It really doesn’t matter who we have next at this point,” Westbrook said. “It’s really about us. Regardless of other teams, we know if we play the way we’re supposed to play for 48 minutes it’s hard to beat us. That’s all we worry about is our team.”