Checking in for his 3rd NBA game this past Sunday Mitch McGary received a warm round of applause from the Sunday afternoon crowd of Thunder fans in the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mitch was this past summer’s first round draft pick and Thunder nation didn’t really know what to expect from him this season.
McGary was plagued with injuries in the majority of the first half of the season and never really saw any meaningful minutes. It seemed that the front office was just going to chalk this season up as a loss and began the real growth of Mitch McGary next season.
Kendrick Perkins however opened a door for him Sunday. Perkins was suspended one game by the NBA for head butting Tyreke Evans in OKC Friday night and the Thunder were short one rotation big man. McGary was inserted with about 4 minutes left in the first quarter of the game the Thunder had seemed to be in control of.
McGary provided something that honestly the Thunder had lacked for almost the entire year. Fun. Mitch McGary smiled wide as he took court. His teammate’s reaction to his first bucketkind of made you think back to the 2011 season when the Thunder manhandled every opponent at home and the bench was always standing, cheering, and waving towels. Mitch just grinned and winked at the bench as he hustled down the defensive end.
McGary seemed to just love the game every second he couldthat could be because it was really his first meaningful seconds played in a NBA game. It could have been because he hadn’t really played basketball in months? I’m not sure what it was, Thunder Nation wouldn’t mind having more of it though.
After McGary ran the length of the court for a fast break layup, got an offensive put back, snagged a few extra possessions the Thunder and at that point the momentum could not be stopped. Checking out half way through the second quarter McGary had 11 points 4 rebounds and a standing ovation.
The Thunder really just sprinted to the finish line from there on the back of Kevin Durant who ended the game with 29 points and Russell Westbrook really struggled the first half of the game but turned on his jets in the next 24 minutes and ended the game with 19 points.
McGary got his first double double with 18 points and 10 boards. He finished out the game for the Thunder and Russell and Kevin on their feet with a hard fought and one. What can McGary do for the Thunder future?
In a year where everything has just seemed depressing between hard losses (thanks Anthony Davis), to injuries (Steven Adams newest member on the list), and even locker room turmoil (Waiters and Reggie) Mitch McGary might of came just in time to save the Thunder season. The Thunder has shown in past seasons that they are truly successful when they look to just be having fun. Being out of the playoff picture for the entire season thus far it’s hard to say this season has had any fun moments. The only other one coming to mind being the Westbrook game winner over Washington.
Maybe inserting a big man that runs the floor and smiles the whole game could be just what the doctor ordered. The struggling injury prone Thunder looked to be having fun Sunday morning. Which a few more Russell Westbrook smiles and Kevin Durant fist pumps will never be bad thing.
I'm not much of a sports fan, but all of your posts are very well written and thought out. Good job!
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