Story & Photos
By Michael Kinney
OKLAHOMA CITY– The reactions may have seemed subdued. There was no dogpile at half court, no uncontrollably sobbing or even triumph “Do You Believe”
When the Oklahoma City Thunder realized their goal of being crowned NBA Champions late Sunday night, I’m not saying the team took it in stride. But you could tell it was pretty much what they had been expecting for much of the season.
Even though the Thunder were taken to a crucial Game 7 against an Indianapolis squad that was intent on ruining Oklahoma City’s parade planning, after winning 103-91 at the Paycom Center, the team did the one thing that young teams seem to never do. They acted as if they had been here before.
Yet, that cool, calm demeanor hides exactly what winning Oklahoma City’s first-ever championship means to the franchise.
“It feels amazing,” said Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “So much weight off my shoulders. So much stress relieved. No matter what, you go into every night wanting to win. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Tonight could have been one of those nights where we found a way. So proud of this group. Wouldn’t want to do it with any other group in the world. Feels good to be a champion.”
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points on 8 of 27 shooting. It was not his most proficient scoring night from the floor, but the Thunder didn’t need him to be. The League MVP just needed to keep his squad settled down and focused on the task at hand.
That was especially true when Oklahoma City trailed 48-47 at halftime despite the Pacers having lost star guard Tyrese Haliburton in the first half.
However, from the start of the third quarter onward, the Thunder overwhelmed the shorthanded Pacers and ensured that any thoughts of an upset were quickly obliterated.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 11th player to win the league MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. He is the first to pull off the impressive combination.
“It’s hard to believe that I’m part of that group. It’s hard to even fathom that I’m that type of basketball player sometimes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “As a kid, you dream. Every kid dreams. But you don’t ever really know if it’s going to come true. I’m just glad and happy that my dreams have been able to come true. That’s a “thank you” to everyone that’s been in my corner that helped me get there. Wouldn’t have been able to get here without them. They know who they are.”
While the players played it cool, the fans were the exact opposite. From singing “We Are Champions” to blocking off traffic outside the Paycom Center to celebrate, the Thunder Nation acted as if it was their first time.
However, a look at the youth on the roster and who is all under contract, it didn’t take long for the words potential dynasty start to be thrown around.
“You’re not guaranteed anything in the league,” said Alex Caruso. “I think that’s the biggest thing that happens year to year that people forget about. Any moment, your team can change with a trade, with an injury, with something that’s out of your control.
To be able to get to the pinnacle of this sport and win it is nothing short of extraordinary. To think that you can just walk in and do it every single year is a little bit naïve.
Rest assured, we’ll show up day one next year ready to get better and ready to chase this again.”
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