This week in the NBA, the OKC Thunder moved to .500, thanks in large part to the play and leadership of Chris Paul
When the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Chris Paul in their blockbuster deal to trade away franchise cornerstone, Russell Westbrook. Many experts expected Paul’s stint in Oklahoma City to be rather short, so long as Sam Presti could find a suitor for Paul’s large contract.
Instead, what has transpired is a rather perfect partnership. Would Paul rather be on a contending team? Of course, he would. However, rather than pouting or disrupting chemistry, Paul has embraced his leadership role for the rebuilding Thunder.
How are things going in the 405? Keep scrolling to find out below:
Houston We Have a Problem
Let’s say you fire MDA. Then what do you do? Who do you give the keys to this season? Next?
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) December 17, 2019
Don’t call it a comeback
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6KOvldB04z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Close-knit chemistry
Potty mouth
NBA players keep swearing on hot mics on live TV and, well, I love it
— Josh Wilson (@J_WilsonSports) December 17, 2019
Oh yes there is
There is nothing funnier than the social account of a losing team
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) December 19, 2019
THE SCHRODIE
I said I love Schroder long time ago. He’s doing well for OKC and I’m happy for them.
— RED is here♒️ (@shesforRussy) December 19, 2019
Kid’s are the best!
Sign of the night. pic.twitter.com/vbC5NUOa10
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 19, 2019
Steven Adams remains the best
According to Steven Adams, Paul had the tailor come in early in the season to measure all the Thunder players. The suits arrived this week.
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) December 19, 2019
Adams: "He was like ‘Yeah bro, wear it to the game. It’s a team thing.’ And I was like ‘Ah shit.’ I was just going to hang it up." https://t.co/9280Oo3FlU
Quite the impressive stat, for a fringe playoff team
Neat stat provided by the Thunder: Oklahoma City is the only team to overcome back-to-back 24-point deficits in the last 20 years.
— Jon Hamm (@JonMHamm) December 19, 2019
The legendary story behind Steven Adams’s suit
Asked Steven Adams the last time he wore pants (not including sweatpants) and he said probably draft night. And then he corrected himself to say he wore pants at Westbrook’s Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction, though they had a huge hole in them.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 19, 2019
Please read the full thread. It features SA at his finest.
No really, kid’s are the best
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6O-RqqBBoT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The build-up
We got some good action on tonight!!! Lakers @ Bucks and Rockets @ Clippers I bet the TV ratings tonight won’t be down because I won’t miss one minute of this action tonight.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 19, 2019
Swapping jerseys
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6R_rDtlfGh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Give the people what they want!
I asked Chris Paul if he and the rest of the team will ever dress up like Steven Adams to a game — camo jackets, flip-flops, etc.
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) December 19, 2019
“Man you might be on to something. I’m gonna ask Dennis about that.”
Chris walked to Dennis and they seemed excited about the idea.
LeBron the influencer
This is pretty interesting
The Lakers are now 6-5 against teams over .500
— Justin Jett (@JustinJett_) December 20, 2019
Preach Big Perk
I pick the OKC Thunder to make the playoffs and got damn it they are making me damn proud right now sitting at the 7th spot in the West!!!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 19, 2019
More Perk analysis
The Clippers are the only team in the NBA that have 4 players that are capable of going for 30 plus points on any given night!!! Kawhi, PG, Lou Will and Harrell!!! That’s scary
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 20, 2019
SHAIVONTE!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the youngest player not named Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook to score 32 points in a game in OKC Thunder history. pic.twitter.com/yjodawvsOT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 21, 2019
Don’t look now…
I said if OKC is around .500 near Christmas time they’d have a good chance to make the playoffs....
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) December 21, 2019
Well......
Prideful family
Dwyane Wade referring to his child Zion, 12, using she pronouns. "I've watched my son from day 1 become into who she now eventually has come into. Nothing changes w/ my love; nothing changes w/ my responsibilities. Only thing I got to do now is get smarter & educate myself more." pic.twitter.com/MeaOXL3cFk
— Ξvan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) December 19, 2019
Kevin Love is moving up the social ladder
Ja almost ended my professional career with this dunk...that kid is something special 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/5SxCItAMba
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) December 21, 2019
Learn something new everyday
What may appear to be “the most obvious travel of the season” to some, actually wasn’t. The offensive player takes two steps after the gather prior to passing the ball. The speed and dexterity of NBA players are what make them the best athletes in the world. This is legal. pic.twitter.com/ZBxod6d6FI
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) December 20, 2019
This is Russell Westbrook
gonna tell my grandkids that, even after we knew all the math, it was still pretty fucking cool to watch Russell Westbrook play basketball
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) December 20, 2019
Hey rumble
So official all I need is a whistle pic.twitter.com/PBoMbmjK14
— Rumble the Bison (@rumblethebison) December 20, 2019
MEMO!
Sources: NBA has sent teams the proposal for 2021-22 season changes:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2019
- 78-game regular season
- In-season tournament ($1M per player, $1.5M coaches pool for champion)
- Play-in tourneys for 7-8 playoff seeds
- Final 4 reseed in playoffs based on regular season records
The first of many
Shai with his first career 30 point game and making it look absolutely easy.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) December 21, 2019
Looks like a superstar out there tonight.
Impressive company to be in
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UpEbXI9vw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Ish Smith is one of only seven players in the 3-point era to record these statistics while scoring at least 20 points.
Bobi and Tobi FOREVER!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UrCcUIAz7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Speaking the truth
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6V0hOzHHw7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The shade is strong with this one
Smile if you’ve made it to the WCF and actually have won a game there https://t.co/6L8uyZMefB
— Shai Gilgreatness-Alexander (@Jhickness9) December 21, 2019
Both sides of this argument are valid
No disrespect, but if Thunder fans cheer for PG on Sunday I'm considering this the softest fanbase in the NBA.
— 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗠. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼 (@AddamFrancisco) December 21, 2019
PG didn't give a damn about the Thunder. Presti just made the best out of that situation.
PRESTI. https://t.co/Ar9fz46QSw
Word of advice
Can we please just stop comparing Russ & CP3 every single day my god.
— ⚡️fan account (@TheWestbrookEra) December 21, 2019
Both are all-time great point guards, and both athletes will be first-ballot Hall-of-Famers someday. However, Westbrook and Paul are profoundly different players who cannot be compared.
Like father, like son
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1208571736645656576?s=20
It has become a tradition of this column to end it on a positive note. This week, I leave you with a video of Damian Lillard and his son Damian Jr. His teammate Carmelo Anthony can also be seen in the video sitting next to his own son, Kiyan. It is a heartwarming clip, but it leaves me pondering the future. Lillard, Westbrook, and Steph Curry all have sons, who are roughly the same age, perhaps someday down the line, we will see these All-Star descendants follow in their father’s footsteps.
Check back next week for a special holiday-themed edition of NBA Sunday Social.