Stephen A. Smith didn’t maintain again on the Thunder after their 15-game successful streak got here to an finish.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are the highest group within the Western Convention. Relying on who’s figuring out what makes a group one of the best within the NBA — they may simply maintain that, too, although Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland would possibly disagree.
Lately, the Thunder held a 15-game successful streak that didn’t come to a detailed till they performed the Cleveland Cavaliers, who maintain one of the best report within the league. Their loss previous to the Cavaliers sport got here within the NBA Cup ultimate in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks, although that doesn’t go down as an official loss.
Regardless of holding a 30-6 report, the 2 losses to the Cavaliers and Bucks are leaving some hesitant to label the Thunder as title contenders or favorites.
The Thunder have loved fairly a little bit of success since arriving in Oklahoma Metropolis from Seattle, although they haven’t raised a banner within the enviornment. That could be a drawback for some, together with ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, regardless of the membership’s sustained success.
The Thunder have needed to rebuild as soon as since their arrival and it took a couple of seasons to execute. They’ve been fairly dominant outdoors of not having gained a title, they usually’re continually a contender. That didn’t cease Smith from happening a rant and calling out the Thunder and govt Sam Presti.
“There isn’t any query [Presti] is an elite govt. No one is advocating for him to be eliminated or something like that. The man is an exceptional govt,” Smith stated.
“However, rattling, in some unspecified time in the future in time, it ain’t about you simply competing, are you able to win the chip? May you shut the deal? I imply, give it some thought, Sam Presti has overseen the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for years…
“You’ve had Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, James Harden, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Victor Oladipo, I imply the listing goes on and on. Now you’ve obtained my MVP with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s a stud, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren.
“I’m simply them and I’m saying, ‘In some unspecified time in the future in time, is simply accumulating a roster and being a perennial playoff challenger, is that every one it’s? May you win one? That’s what I’m going to say about Sam Presti.
“… Sam Presti, you’ve had sufficient of a honeymoon. I desire a chip in Oklahoma Metropolis. If you gonna get one?”
Is successful a title good? Completely. Each sports activities group and fan base desires to see a championship arrive of their metropolis. That’s the mecca of sports activities. The issue? Just one group can win a title on an annual foundation in any given league.
Smith’s feedback relating to Presti are completely primarily based on successful a championship. The group has solely been in Oklahoma Metropolis since 2008. They’ve obtained an extremely quick historical past. They’ve made the NBA Finals only one time, they usually’ve needed to be taught from that have.
Many groups have energetic title droughts within the NBA. What number of years for the reason that Sacramento Kings have been in an NBA title drought? 73 years. For the Atlanta Hawks? 66 years. Greater than ten NBA groups have by no means gained an NBA title. So let’s throw away all their historical past, yeah?
Smith’s logic is flawed. Sure, the Thunder must win a title to solidify years of being a contending squad and perennial playoff group. No, it doesn’t outline the whole lot in regards to the membership. They’re one of many best-run organizations in all of American sports activities, and never having a title doesn’t change that.
Associated Posts
