OKLAHOMA CITY -
A look at recent NBA
history reveals a pattern. Four years ago, the Lakers won the NBA title, a year
after getting spanked by Boston in the Finals. Last year, the Heat were crushed
by the Mavericks. This year the Heat was better than the Thunder. Next year? Do
you see the pattern?
The nice thing about our
Thunder is every member, even the gruff technical foul-collecting Kendrick
Perkins realizes how lucky they are. Make no mistake, with all its core members
under contract thru next season, this team already has its sights set on an NBA
Championship run in 2013.
6/22/2012
Related Story: Thunder Players Offer 'Thanks' To Devoted Fan Base
"Next year we'll be
back in the situation and we're gonna bring a championship here," said
Thunder guard and NBA Sixth Man of the Year, James Harden at a gathering of
fans at the Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City.
About the same time the
team arrived from Miami, a group of teens played their own brand of hoops on
OKC's outdoor courts in the shadow of Chesapeake Arena.
"I think it's
instilled some pride in them. Galvanized them to want to do more," said group
supervisor Nathan Lee.
6/22/2012
Related Story: Thousands Flock To OKC Airport To Welcome Home Thunder
Speaking of doing more, remember
the huge Harden Beard, Durantula and red Westbrook Glasses Thunder super-fan
Mike Harris constructed a few weeks ago at 43rd and Western? Harris tells News
9 while he plans to tear it all down in the next few days, it will go directly
into storage because he also believes the same thing Kevin Durant hinted at
Friday afternoon as he said goodbye to the best fans in the NBA
"We hope you guys get
home safe and hopefully we have a bigger parade next year," said Durant.
Thunder Head Coach Scott
Brooks told the crowd there are two things he will always remember about this
year's team: He'll remember how hard they played, and how hard their fans
cheered.
The Thunder estimates more
than 4,000 fans were there to greet them when they got back from Miami Friday
afternoon.
The Thunder estimates more than 4,000 fans were there to greet them when they got back from Miami Friday afternoon.
