OKC Thunderstruck: Maturity matters
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 31 May 2016
THE LOSING coach failed to state what exactly happened for them to drop an expected big win in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals.
Oklahoma City coach Billy Donavan could only mumble that it was not his mighty, blazing Thunder team out there against Golden State the other day.
Donavan also hinted they got somewhat stagnant in the homestretch.
* * *
He missed the point, miserably as Kevin Durant missed repeatedly in trying to win all by his lonesome in the crucial stretch.
OK, it was the same Thunder squad out there, although it inexplicably turned pale and stale in the killing moments.
Donavan can be forgiven as there?s no exact term for that damning affliction.
* * *
One veteran NBA writer noted that, eloquent as the Thunder usually were, they suddenly turned mute when it mattered most.
They stammered and faltered and Oklahoma?s failure could only be blamed on that invisible whore called failure of nerve.
Surprising indeed for a surging, soaring squad that had been through more crucial tests in the NBA playoffs.
* * *
Reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry, without meaning to double talk, could?ve said what won it for them and what went wrong with the other team in a single quip.
?We?ve got a lot of heart,? Curry said matter-of-factly.
Durant et al., on the other hand, cannot be expected to honestly own up to a gutless finish.
* * *
Shouldn?t have Durant, for once, tried to make an outlet pass to somewhere near the middle after successive failures from the perimeter?
He played the crucial final moments of Game 6 like a spoiled rich boy who refused to share toy with poor playmates.
Dumb and mindless indeed for a top veteran hardcourt warrior whose lack of leadership got rudely exposed.
* * *
There was glaring selfishness out there.
Meanwhile, premier Oklahoma spitfire Russell Westbrook proceeded to contribute to team misery as he suffered successive turnovers in the crunching wind-up.
It?s hard to determine if Durant and Westbrook tried to steal the thunder from each other in trying to bail out their beleaguered outfit.
* * *
Now, Oklahoma, after having led 3-1 in the West conference playoffs, have no choice but surpass themselves on the road in today?s Game 7.
They are left to claw back against the defending NBA champs whom they had shoved to the ropes after taking the conference playoffs opener in Golden State.
How to do the impossible against the strictly coached Warriors, who have displayed great discipline, selfless cohesion and unassailable maturity, is a puzzle coach Donavan has to wrestle with as the moment of truth approaches.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025