When my little brother texted me yesterday afternoon and told me that there were a couple of tickets left for Game 6 in OKC, I knew we had to get them. I mean, a chance to watch our home team clinch a berth to the NBA Finals was enough motivation.
Unfortunately, the game did not go as everyone had planned or hoped. Having played basketball for 19 years competitively (6 years professionally), I understand how difficult it can be sometimes to listen to people, who only have opinions, criticize your play or lack thereof. Because of this, I would like to not focus on the game but rather offer my top 4 takeaways from my live Game 6 experience; things that I noticed outside of the game itself.
Lets begin:
4. LOUD CITY Is The Heartbeat of the Arena
It’s possible that my brother and I purchased the very last tickets available to the public. We literally sat in the highest row of the whole entire building! Surprisingly, there was more leg room in that row than all the other rows in front of us; so it was actually nice. Because of where we sat, we were able to really feel the emotion of the LOUD CITY fans. Every chant that started in the arena, started from these sections. One person would yell “Defense” at the top of their lungs and soon the entire crowd would join in unison. These chants were pumping “life” into the arena, early and often. Even with sitting so high up, it was easy to see how the Loud City fans feel so much a part of whats happening on the court.
3. Thunder Fans Despise Draymond Green
And I use the word “despise” very lightly. In all my years of playing and watching basketball, I don’t think I’ve seen a player so “revered” in the wrong way by fans. We’ve all seen what he has done this series, at moments turning into the karate kid. I think it’s safe to say that there is not ONE part of this kid that the Thunder fans like. When “Draymond Green” was announced for the starting lineups, it was easily the loudest “boo” I have ever heard in my entire life. But it didn’t stop there, every time he touched the ball, shot a free throw, or even appeared on the jumbo screen, the Thunder faithful let him have it. Thank God we are in the Bible Belt, otherwise, the Draymond Green reception last night could have been much worse.
2. Chesapeake Arena Has The Most electric Atmosphere In The NBA
HANDS DOWN. Ok, this is my personal opinion but I think many would agree. Chesapeake is by far one of the loudest arenas in which I have ever witnessed a basketball game. The fans chant the entire time and the excitement hardly dies down for the duration of the game. I can’t even imagine how much noise is being produced in this place. Not to mention, the Thunder’s mascot Rumble, who is a former NBA Mascot of the Year recipient, does a great job of keeping the energy levels high in the gym. Mix that with the fact that we have two of the most electric players in the NBA on our team, and you get a formula for combustion.
1. Oklahoma City LOVES This Team
Love might actually be an understatement. The City absolutely adores this Thunder team. When the starting lineups were announced last night, I thought the roof might come off the building. Each player received a boisterous applause, highlighted by the loudest roars for our two All Stars, Russ and KD. But from Adams to Roberson to Ibaka, for sure, the players felt the love that this city has for each of them. Towards the end of the game, some GSW fans started talking a little trash to a Thunder fan, to which another Thunder fan quickly intervened. The conversation escalated from a GS fan’s “scoreboard” to the Okc fan’s “meet me outside” rather quickly. It was almost as if someone had picked on the Thunder fan’s little brother. Needless to say, nothing actually happened. But this exchange, further showed just how passionate the fans of OKC are about their team. When the team loses, the fans lose also. It’s one big Thunder family.
Oklahoma City IS Thunder territory. You can’t think of one without thinking of the other. And just like Loud City is the heartbeat of the arena, the Thunder are the heartbeat of OKC. The NBA season pumps life into this city! Nobody believed that this team would get out of the second round. Now, here they are, one game away from elimination, yet one game away from the NBA Finals.
Here’s to shocking the world and taking Game 7 at Oracle. ThunderUP!
Connect with Josh Young via Twitter at @ForeverJAYoung and on LinkedIn
