Throwback Thursday: The 2019-2020 Oklahoma City Thunder
Although there's been quite a few intriguing Thunder teams over the past several years, perhaps none has been as unique and exciting as the 2019-20 roster.
It was the first year after everything changed for Oklahoma City, as longtime franchise star Russell Westbrook and his co-star Paul George were moved after a second-consecutive first-round exit in the playoffs. The changes were shocking and the future was uncertain, but the amount of assets the team acquired provided some light at the end of the tunnel.
The biggest piece of both deals was undoubtedly Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder's current franchise player. The 6-foot-6 guard was coming off a solid rookie season where he showed flashes of potentially being a future star player, particularly in the Clippers' final two games against the Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry-led Warriors.
Oklahoma City was also able to receive a couple veterans that could help develop some of the team's younger players, including one of the greatest point guards of all-time in Chris Paul and a solid scoring forward in Danillo Gallinari.
That's not to mention the seven first-round draft picks and four pick swaps Thunder GM Sam Presti was able to stockpile.
Approaching the 2019-20 season, expectations for the Thunder were incredibly low. They were not expected to be close to playoff contention, and players like Chris Paul would likely be moved soon into the season. Early in the campaign, those expectations looked to be reality. OKC was under .500 through the end of November. But to the NBA world's surprise, an impressive 11-4 record in December catapulted the Thunder to playoff contention, where they would remain for the rest of the season.
Chris Paul was nothing short of brilliant in his only season in OKC, averaging 17.6 points with 6.7 assists per game. After a rocky last year in Houston, Paul brought his stock back up to one of the best players in basketball, even receiving MVP consideration for his efforts in leading a young and rebuilding Thunder squad.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a huge sophomore season, increasing his scoring production from 10.8 to 19 points per contest. He became the Thunder's number one scoring option after just being a role player for the Clippers in his rookie year, which excited many OKC fans.
The team was rounded out with several quality role players that made the team incredibly balanced, including the likes of Dennis Schröder and Steven Adams.
The undrafted rookie Luguentz Dort also took the league by notice with his tenacious defense, immediately becoming one of the league's most feared perimeter defenders.
After finishing 44-28 in the COVID-19 shortened season, the Thunder found themselves as a No. 5 seed set to face none other than the Houston Rockets, who swapped Chris Paul with Russell Westbrook the year prior.
Houston would be without Westbrook until Game 5, but that didn't stop Harden from willing his team to win the first two games of the series. Oklahoma City did not back down however, picking up the win in both Games 3 and 4 to tie the series at 2 wins each.
The returning Westbrook did not play well in game 5, but Houston demolished OKC, 114-80.
In a must-win Game 6 to extend the series to 7, the game was tied at 100-100 with just 12 seconds left to go. Paul was able to draw a clutch foul and knock down both his free throws, and the Thunder were able to get the ball back once again to extend the lead to 104-100 after Gallinari sank his free throws. The Rockets had one more opportunity to stay in the game, but Dort smothered Harden in the corner to secure the win for OKC.
Finally, Game 7.
Once again, It would prove to be down to the absolute wire. Both teams went back and forth each quarter, and each defense was able to prevent high scoring runs from extending much of a lead.
The surprising go-to scorer on offense for the Thunder was none other than Dort, who would go on to finish the game with 30 points. Paul also provided a 19 point triple-double in one of his best game of the playoffs.
At the end of an intense 4th quarter, OKC had possession of the ball with 15 seconds left in the game, down a single point. Paul started with the ball but shortly ran into a double team, almost forcing a turnover, but Gilgeous-Alexander luckily was able to maintain possession.
He was also unable to create any space, opting to kick it out to an open Dort on the opposite side behind the 3-point line. Dort got the shot off, but in a moment that went down in history, Harden was able to tip the shot, causing the ball to go straight into the air.
Dort caught it, but Harden was able to slap the ball out of his hands and cause an OKC turnover.
Even then, the Thunder had a chance to win or tie after Robert Covington missed one of his free throws. Oklahoma City drew up a play at half court with a second left, but the play failed and Houston escaped with a series win.
While it was a disappointing end to a special season of Thunder basketball, it was a selfless group of high-IQ NBA players that defied expectations and played with a chip on their shoulder to the very last moment. What could have easily turned into a complete tank job instead shifted into a winning season that immensely helped the development of it's youth, primarily Gilgeous-Alexander. Learning from Paul and getting early playoff experience went a long way in preparing him for future stardom.
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