However lucky, for the youngest team in the league, a win against the best team in the conference is the foundation for a bright future. This is what differentiates a future contender like the young OKC in 2010 (hard fought series against the Lakers) from a future pretender like the young Jazz in 2012 (got swept by the Spurs). No matter what happens next, we are looking great going forward. I am super pumped. If we keep improving, 2-3 years from now, we will be where OKC is right now.
It was pure heart in a 5v8 situation and we really willed this win into fruition. I love the fighting spirit from most (MOST) of the roster.
Just to play devils advocate, they're playing without one of the most explosive players in the league
eh...the thing is, it was done with two of the Rocket's major pieces either playing terribly (Harden) or not at all (Lin), so I'm not really sure what this game tells us long term. Don't get me wrong, a playoff win against the NBA's best is great.
Glass Half Full: It tells us that the rest of our roster has heart. They aren't going to wait for a superstar to save them. They'll get out there and fight. Glass Half Empty:
Just wanna say, the defensive gameplan on Durant has been great the last three games. Props to the coaches for gameplanning and to the players for executing.
True enough, but how often can you count on heart? And with the way Morey turns over role players...I guess I'm a glass half empty sort of guy; I probably shouldn't have posted this in a celebratory thread.
If we can't get Howard this summer, we should sign Josh Smith and one of these players: Corey Brewer JJ Reddick Kyle Korver
I feel like you can always count on heart. A better team can still beat you. But players without heart are constantly getting embarrassed. You're right about turning over role players, though. We need a team identity that includes heart and toughness and defense and team play. We're starting to build it, but I truly fear the summer months. A team with Howard and Millsap and Harden and 9 D-Leaguers is a 50 loss team.
