Oklahoma City Thunder – A team to look out for next season: NBA Special Report
At the American Airlines Centre on Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder came out on the court staring at a potential exit from the Western Conference Finals. However they had only one thing in mind - to go down fighting if
indeed they had to go down. That’s exactly what the youthful talent of the Thunder showcased in the game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the overwhelming valour of the Dallas Mavericks.
Rick Carlisle, Mavericks’ coach commended the performance of the Thunder and said, “They played with unbelievable fight and spirit. The game tonight, all the games I have been involved with over the years in the playoffs, this
was as hard a game as I have ever been involved with."
The Oklahoma City kept themselves in a competitive position throughout the game and didn’t gave Dallas a single second to relax. Thunder headed out commandingly and outperformed the veteran Mavericks in the first three quarters.
However, it was the immense experience on the roster that marshalled the home team down the stretch to outshine the juvenile Oklahoma City as the Mavericks clinched the berth for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals for the second time.
Thunder’s coach Scott Brooks appreciated the performance of his team in the play-offs and said, "I'll tell you this. Our guys aren't going to hope to get [better]. They are going to work to get there. They are focused on hitting
every day on the practice floor as a day of improvement. I've never been on a team, other than my high school team that has had as close a group of guys that are all fighting to get better."
Even though the Oklahoma managed to win only one game in the Conference Finals however the Thunder always had that spark during the series which retrained the Mavericks from putting on the tiring suits till the end.
“I think it’s important to point out that this is the best team we’ve played in the playoffs. They’re better than the Lakers and they’re better than Portland.” Carlisle said.
During the 2010-2011 season, no one visualized Oklahoma City Thunder to reach the Conference Finals with the presence of the West-leader San Antonio Spurs and the two-time defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. Since last few
years, the team was going through a rebuilding phase and they had the youngest rosters on the team in the league.
The Thunder stood confident against all the odds and showed the potential they carry to the world of NBA. There is no doubt that the Oklahoma has earned a valuable experience against the Dallas Mavericks which will help their young
guns to upgrade their strength. After having a phenomenal season on the court, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the one team everybody will be looking at in the next season.
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