Thunder Have Found a New Gear in West Finals That Warriors Have Yet to Show

OKLAHOMA CITY — After a pair of losses placed the Golden State Warriors’ special 73-win season at death’s door, Draymond Green was left searching for broader, deeper whys and hows following Tuesday’s 118-94 Game 4 blowout.

“Obviously they wanted it more than us,” Green said after the game. “Now, is that them not having a championship and us having a championship? All of a sudden we’re relaxed? It’s possible.”

With a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder have dominated the past two games so resoundingly that it’s difficult to envision the Warriors pushing back with three consecutive life-saving victories, even if two of the games are in Oakland, California.

Golden State’s repeat bid was always going to be determined by too much complacency or just enough confidence—a dangerous tightrope—but there are subtle issues at work beyond just that.

What sense is there to Oklahoma City, 18 games worse in the standings, rising up to turn the Warriors from basketball gods into mortal men?

There were signs we missed.

For all the hullabaloo over the Warriors inventing an effective style of winning via their spread-floor offense and smart, versatile defense, other ways to win existed before.

The Thunder’s way has proved worthy time and again: superstar talents creating shots for themselves and others, along with a suffocating defense built on length and athleticism. That isn’t a fresh approach, but it has worked and is backed by legit talent. 

OKC’s plan has taken off in the past couple of weeks because the Thunder are working with another playoff keystone: It’s crucial to have another level you can reach beyond that of the regular season.

We can argue over whether Golden State overextended itself in pursuit of its 73-win regular-season record. It was a worthy goal to pursue, and the Warriors did it.

Yet elders who’ve seen many a basketball season worried about it. Even San Antonio Spurs veteran Tony Parker said plainly, “It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win the championship.” Indeed, this series has brought into question whether the Warriors can reach another level.

Whether by savvy design or natural development, the Thunder have grown into something far greater than they were in winning 55 regular-season games.

They’re raising the roof now because …

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