Thunder About Playing with Energy
The difference in energy and emotion between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs is evident before the official even tosses the ball. While the Spurs stand around like a collection of sculptures, Russell Westbrook gives a Usain Bolt-style double point to the crowd, Kevin Durant goes through his hacky sack pantomime routine with Serge Ibaka on the sideline, then skips across the court to give an exaggerated low-five to Kendrick Perkins followed by an elaborate handshake with Westbrook.
The Spurs are conservative, the Thunder excessive, but each style suits the team’s roster. Emotion was a necessary element for the Thunder, down 2-0 in the Western Conference finals. They were trailing not due to their own poor play but a sheer function of the machine-like efficiency of the Spurs. If the Thunder were to gain traction in the series, they would have to find something extra, go to a place the Spurs couldn’t.
“We have to play with energy, man,” Durant said.
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