Dear OKC Thunder fans

From A Jazz fan

Dear OKC Thunder fans,

Thank you. Thank you for the reminder… check that; thank you for the slap in the face and the ice-cold water on our sleeping faces.

The word passion is often over used to describe less than passionate realities. Not this time. The passion you put out to this paralyzing entertaining, but young Thunder team the past few years is astounding. Such a young franchise (or an old one beat up and re-built) often gets some excited NBA fans to follow right away, and drip by drip add in “home team” fans. But in OKC, a city known for overcoming adversity time and time again, someone turned the “big city/big market” sprinklers on and flooded the basement!

As an outsider looking in with no connection to your great Midwest town, I have no real reason to be an OKC fan… except for the fact that something has drawn us in. I use us, because there is an “us”.

The “us” is not just I and the few friends I waste too much time talking about Westbrook & Durant’s brilliant plays. It extends further than my limited following on twitter (@sportscavelive) or Facebook. It stretches a little more than the Salt Lake Valley. I know a good portion of Utah is on board, and hope our home team Jazz can emulate in some way what you have been a part of. When Durant quietly signed his extension without letting us know where is “talents” were going, it grew a little. When Westbrook first broke out those sweet interview specs… it spread a little more. When the beard took over the face, it took over a few fans too. After the fascination of “what’s in the backpack” took over a good portion of the web, we gained a few OKC bus riders. And when YOUR Thunder broke the mold of “what it takes to win in the NBA”… and still won, it became a passion again.

So although I may root against Durant when they come to play in SLC, from this moment on I’m not just a follower of the Thunder, I’m a fan.

-Sincerely,

A “new” OKC Thunder fan.

Williams "Motors" the Jazz in Denver... can he do it against the Thunder

The sun is out, the birds are singing, children are playing, and all is right in SLC.

Oh what a difference a win makes.

Oh what a difference D-Will makes.

By beating the Nuggets in Denver, the Jazz have turned around a massive slump and have reminded Jazz fans what it feels like to have a team that could beat anyone, anytime. 

They may not be favorites, but they can be a long way from long shots. 

"He is the motor." sad a dejected coach Karl, speaking of Williams, after Utah made a statement game out of his Nuggets. That is exactly what it looked like. Williams not only reminded Jazz fans and ESPN what he brings to this team, he reminded Al, Earl, Raja, and the rest of this little band of over achievers of what can happen when you  make sure you are running on all 8 cylinders and then add in an all-star fuel additive. Super charged!

OK, no more car puns.

The Jazz minus Williams, AK, and Okur did everything they could to beat Houston on Wednesday. They came up a few mistakes too many, and one point too short. Dejected and depressed, The Jazz men felt the sting of playing at or close to 100% and still losing. 

Had Mr. Williams not played in Denver, a similar outcome might of happened. Guys played there guts out. Al had a huge night, and still, the Jazz had to have Williams explode with points, assists, and leadership in order for this team to win. Guess what; that's what All-Stars do. The great ones make others play better, lead by example, and are an extension of a coach on the floor. That is what Deron was last night...

 ...inspiration in Nike's. 

Can Utah do it again tonight against OKC

Against Durrant and Westbrook, Utah needs to be at near perfect. That is easier said than done faced up with those two.  

Durrant does almost everything well above average... that's actually the good news. The bad news is he  averages over 12 shots at the line against Utah this year... while connecting on a stupidly accurate 96%. He will spend a lot of time there tonight, especially if AK doesn't play. My advice: run him ragged and beat him up. the man he picks up on "D" needs to never stop moving. With Evans showing a lot of promise the Jazz have a pretty good group that can rotate in to work him up and down the court, making your fouls count and get in his head (for more instruction on how to get in a player's head, please see Harpering or Raja)!!

In my opinion, Durrant is in a fierce competition for "MVP on the Thunder" with Westbrook. Durrant has a slight lead and will probably clam that more often than not, but Westbrook will still a few each night.

He scores like Williams by getting into the paint, and has yet to miss a free throw against Utah this year. Freaky good. His speed and field goal percentage (57% against Utah this year) make him almost un-guardable  when he drives. Fes, Al, and Milsap; let him FEEL you all night. He will shoot a lot at the line... make him wince when he does.

Both are shoot first guys, so expect to see a lot of shots from them. Westbrook doesn't shoot the 3 well or often... Durrant does and does. I would like to see anyone else score but these two. Westbrook hasn't "earned" the double team respect yet like D-Will. Give him the "respect" he deserves! Jump out on him and make him get rid of the ball... just not to Durrant.

Utah seems to have "it" back.  With Earl getting a good helping of PG minutes while Williams is on the court, Al continuing to speed up his offensive decision making, C.J. working Durrant on both ends, and everyone fouling hard (not more), "this" Utah team can win tonight.