(The idea that KD is good and LeBron is bad was discussed a few weeks ago, but just on the surface. What about their teams? Is this truly a good versus evil type of dynamic in the NBA this year? JG takes a closer look.)
Far too often in sports, professional athletes and teams are given exaggerated names or labeled with one of a million cliched analogies that they just don’t deserve. Hyperbole runs rampant in the information age and so many, many a fan rolls their eyes when they hear words like “the game of the decade” or “the best _______ I’ve ever seen” so much so that a doubting reluctance to pay attention to any demonstrative title or name becomes almost second nature.
The reason I say this is to try and illustrate how much disdain I personally feel when a team or athlete is hyped to an unbelievable degree or labeled as something so outlandish and absurd that all you can really do is laugh about the strained connection some writer or media member tried to make between a true icon of the sports world or a timeless character from books, movies, history, etc and some modern day athlete playing a game for a living.
Why? Well, because I’m about to do just that.
You see, I’ve been diving into the defining traits of the all-time great modern villains in literature and film, or as I like to call them, the Degrees of Diabolicalness, for my book’s website and I couldn’t help but notice the striking parallels between legendary, epic villains and—the Miami Heat.
Now while that might not be all that surprising, the realization that the Miami Heat would be the NBA’s version of the Empire led me to an almost inevitable inquiry: If the Miami Heat are the Empire, does that make the Thunder the Rebellion?
Certainly you don’t have to look very hard at the Degrees of Diabolicalness to understand how the Miami Heat meet all the criteria of the legendary villains:
1. They delight in their superiority, flaunting their power in the face of all who would challenge them.
Uh, mega huge bolded check. From The LeBacle to the rising up from the stage to God only knows what’s going to happen during their pregame warmup stuff, I’ll just say the Heat had this one done before they even signed their contracts (which, by the way, also added to this ginormous check).
2. You understand a little too well what fatal flaw led them down the dark path and why they do what they do.
Oh yeah. Anyone who doesn’t understand wanting to be on an amazing team after languishing on the Raptors (hello, lottery!) and Cavs (hello, doing it all myself and questionable front office maneuvers) for six years, playing with your buddies, living and spending time in South Beach and just flat out CRUSHING almost every NBA team in the league in your path…might not be human. Or, at the very least, a male with a normal sized ego and narcissistic (do you look at your reflection when you walk past the mirror?) drive.
3. They surpass being a bad guy and become the very embodiment of evil.
Do I even need to write anything here?
What team are you going to root against no matter who they play (even if they play the Lakers, people! That alone should be proof enough)? Who do you want to fail so badly that you honestly fear for what the future of the NBA landscape could look like if they don’t? Lastly, who’s epic collapse or shocking choke job in the playoffs would you relish and savor like a sweet, succulent lobster just swimming in warm butter sauce?
I think the facts speak for themselves. The Heat are the Evil Empire in the NBA next year, and, to be honest, I absolutely love it. Every great story, every great hero needs a tremendous villain.
But that brings us to our initial question. Does that mean the Thunder are the Rebel Forces to the Heat’s Empire.
Honestly? I think it does.
Now it’s definitely going to be unfair to KD to make him out to be the anti-Lebron (even though the timing of KD signing his contract almost begged people to make that distinction through no fault of Durant though) just as much as it will be to say that the Thunder are the anti-Heat.
But they kind of are. The Thunder slowly built their team through the draft and small maneuvers, snatching up undervalued role players for market savvy contracts and then letting everything grow and develop at its own pace.
The Heat did the exact opposite, gutting there entire roster save for Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony’s rights in an unprecedented effort to lure three of the top four PER players in the NBA to the same team, confident that other veterans would still want to come play with them despite taking less money (a brilliantly fiendish move).
The Thunder’s fan base is famously loyal, maintaining impressive attendance numbers despite one of the worst starts in NBA history and even improving upon that support when things started turning around.
Um, Miami doesn’t really have fans as much as they have event attendees. But make no mistake, the Heat will be THE event for the next five years, at least. But if they stumble out of the blocks or bow out early in the playoffs, the Heat will quickly find that the one thing Miami doesn’t settle for is a championship caliber team playing sub-par ball.
The Thunder is the young and plucky team who is more a collection of misfits that are greater than the sum of their parts, a team first, no nonsense or spotlight hogging band of brothers that always give every last ounce of effort on the floor.
Um, no comment. I think I’ve already said enough about the Heat to provoke Pat Riley to Force Lightning me.
I could go on and on at the differences, but instead of doing that I thought it would be fun to try and find out who is whom?
Obviously KD is Luke Skywalker, to which I would then say that Westbrook is definitely more Han Solo than anyone else on the team. Now Jeff Green, as usual, is a source of much debate because he could be Obi-Won (the player who must ultimately depart for the team to truly take that next step; all the Green haters rejoice) but honestly, I think he’s much more the under-appreciated yet absolutely essential Princess Leia. And no, this is not an invitation for any gold bikini jokes.
I’ll let you guys take the rest, on both the Heat and the Thunder, but I must end with this last statement.
We all know who Serge is. And Heat players should do well to remember one, very important thing.
It’s not wise to upset a Wookiee.
Anonymous :
Oklahoma has famously loyal fans,
Wha???
@J.G. Marking
Your wish is my command. And I'm glad you admitted you messed up the 20 and 10. That was quite the famous mix-up...the impact will be enduring.
@Anonymous
See, and I thought that the way you win an argument is to make disparaging remarks and petty comments anonymously. My bad.
I think any writer who feels that he does not need to hold himself accountable to what he has written on a comments page by engaging his readership in discussions (and often disagreements) over the piece because that would mean he is "condescending" or "lowering himself" to his readership is someone who has lost touch with what writing, especially the fan driven blog, is all about. There is a reason people make comments towards the writer (which is what you exactly did) on a comments page. They want a response to their claims.
Constructive implies criticism for the betterment of the work or the writer. I welcome constructive feedback in all forms, as does Royce. So if you think that your comment provides constructive feedback for how to improve the article writing process, then thanks, I think.
That being said, the Return of the Jedi Luke analogy was pretty awesome.
@Kivman
And I wasn't intentionally being disingenous, just mixed up the 20 and 10 consecutive time period.
Though please reply to this in some way so I don't get the last word. Seriously. Help me Kivman, you're my only hope.
Keith :@Kivman
Are you trying to imply that Harden’s beard DOESN’T cure cancer? If so, all my hopes and dreams are dashed.
If anyone's does, it would be his. Keep the faith!!!
@Kivman
Are you trying to imply that Harden's beard DOESN'T cure cancer? If so, all my hopes and dreams are dashed.
@J.G. Marking
Famously spoiled works for me. And hopefully we will all continue to be famously spoiled for a long time to come (at least until KD retires in, oh, 15 years). And after this article, I'm looking forward to your next one where you assert that KD toots perfume and Harden's beard cures cancer.
@J.G. Marking
How do you get "famously loyal" by being equally loyal to other fans?!? That's just illogical.
And you suggested I said that to be enduring or famously loyal that you need to have great support through 20 years of putrid teams ("And 20 years minimum of putrid teams/consecutive sellouts? That’s not famously loyal, that’s blatantly unrealistic"). Then you admit I didn't say that ("I did read what you said. And 20 years, with “10 consecutive years of putrid teams with consecutive sellouts anyway” is overboard and unrealistic to me."), but act like you did not mischaracterize my argument. So you were disingenuous. And you just admitted it! So I'm not going to argue with you anymore because I'm "famously" p-o'd at you and my anger will be "enduring"...at least until tomorrow.
@Thomas
...well I did warn everyone that hyperbole was going to be used in the article. :)
And just to let you know, I think I threw up in my mouth a little when I read "we'll see how OKC responds when they get a...David Kahn and things start getting ugly."
On second thought, I'd prefer to remove famously loyal and replace it with famously spoiled. Does that work with everyone?
@J.G. Marking
Even when this team was 3-29, it was full of young, exciting talent and trending in the right direction. Plus, pro basketball was new and sexy. The test of a fanbases patience starts after a dynasty (Mariners/Astros for the last 5 years) when the team is trending downwards with incompetent management that frustrate and annoy fans. OKC has never had this, "famously loyal" is extremely hyperbolic. They are "great fans" or "energetic fans" but its too early to be considered loyal. Im sure the readers on the forum will be loyal fans, but we'll see how OKC responds when they get a Bill Bavasi, Wally Walker, Chris Cohan, or a David Kahn and things start getting ugly. This will be the test of the city.
Thankfully Presti/management are locked up for the foreseeable future and struck gold with a legitimate superstar. No need to test the fanbase... yet!
@Kivman
I did read what you said. And 20 years, with "10 consecutive years of putrid teams with consecutive sellouts anyway" is overboard and unrealistic to me. And I really wasn't trying to redirect the discussion with a new topic. The topic in question here is what "famously loyal" means. Thus me saying that your definition of famously loyal is just as overboard and hyperbolic to me as mine apparently is to you is in no way ignoring the initial issue.
But I think it is clear that we disagree on really just one thing: time. Well, and that "famously loyal" means that you have to be MORE loycal than any other fan base. I always thought famously loyal literally meant that you were, well, famous for being loyal, not better than every other fan base in terms of loyalty as that would be "most loyal."
But we can certainly agree to disagree that time is the deciding factor for loyalty, even though I thought you kind of opened up time not being THE deciding factor when you said that a fan base's loyalty "can only be proven through really really bad times OR a really long period." This is where I agree with you as I typically incorporate more into loyalty than just time, like having a really good reason not to support a team (3-29, or as you said it, "really really bad times") and factors that might keep you from supporting the team (ice storms, blizzards, etc) just as much as time.
But hey, I think this horse is just about pounded into paste at this point so I'm sure we're the only two left caring about it. Haha.
holdmymartian :
Big Z is Jabba.
That's pretty good...would be better if he gained a lot of weight in the offseason!!!
@J.G. Marking
First...please read what I said again. I said 20 years total and a track record of support for, say, 10 years of bad teams. I did not say "20 years minimum of putrid teams/consecutive sellouts." So MY statement was not overboard and hyperbolic (by the way...I hate this method of argument...put out a different question and then argue that instead of arguing the original issue).
Plus...you used the phrase "famously loyal" which, to me, means a fan base more resilient and supportive than almost any other fan base ever. This can only be proven through really really bad times or a really long period. You are the one that asked for a definition. I don't think one is really necessary to question the statement...and I really don't want to argue with you about how many exact years are needed. I am arguing that the number of years of support is much much higher than, um, two and the number of consecutive bad teams needs to be much much higher than, um, one.
I thought of the Warriors as an example of a great fanbase. How many times have they made the playoffs in the past 20 years? Portland is a good example. The NY Giants have great fans that stuck with them through some really bad years. The Cleveland Browns are a great, great example. The St. Louis Cardinals fans are a pretty famous fanbase in baseball. The Thunder fans (through no fault of their own, mind you) do not yet stack up. Not even close. It's possible they could end up like the Charlotte Hornets fans (to pull from a prior example) and start great but aren't nearly as loyal when things go bad. We just don't know yet about the Thunder.
I'm cool with "great fans" or "incredibly supportive." The fans were downright awesome in the playoffs. I'm really not trying to take anything away from the fans. The Thunder just haven't been around long enough to prove anything. Call it a small sample size issue.
I guess we just disagree. I also guess I keep responding more from an "I can't believe he really means it and he wants to keep arguing that the fans are famously loyal and enduring, no really, they are" than from being really bothered by it.
@Blake
Does that mean lebron is gonna kill wade? (figuratively or literally)
@Kivman
Good call on Bosh being Boba Fett: Doesn't really have the powers of the other two, but is fairly evil and strong in his own right.
Wouldn't Mario Chalmers have to be Greedo?
Big Z is Jabba.
I think Bosh is Boba Fett. Who is Jabba the Hut???
I was thinking about this the other day...
KD is definitely Luke - the hero, the guy learning to become the man
Uncle Jeff is like Han Solo...Clutch guy, wants to get paid, but eventually will realize that the best place for him to be is an essential part of the team.
RW is Anikan Skywalker - had a tough life growing up, one guy had faith that he was the chosen one, but the council did not agree, was trained by Obi Won Kanobi and eventually became a star, with his contract up next year, might flirt with the dark side
Nick Collison as R2D2 - Unintentionally in the right place at the right time
Sefolosia as C3PO - another underrated part of the team
Serge = Chewy (way too obvious)
Sam Presti - Yoda, preaching patience and commitment to the team (force)
On the other hand
Pat Riley is like Grand Moff Tarken - Imperial Commander of the Death Star
D-Wade is Lord Sith - recruiting players to join him on the dark side
Lebron is Darth Vader - thinking he's KDs daddy, but eventually KD will triumph
Bosh is harder to get, on one hand he looks like jar jar binks, but he isn't a good guy, so maybe Darth Maul
@justin
Sorry, bud I disagree with this. Expectations or not, 3-29 is not easy to attend games for no matter how new a team is. Watching awful basketball and your team get crushed while still cheering and screaming is not easy in any way.
@Kivman
Perhaps then my error is in using the phrase "Thunder fans" instead of "Thunder fanbase."
Because as an Oklahoma State alum and fan long before the team ever had consecutive winning seasons, a fan of a lottery bound Hornets team, etc, etc, the one adjective I would use to describe Oklahoma sports fans as would be "loyal."
And 20 years minimum of putrid teams/consecutive sellouts? That's not famously loyal, that's blatantly unrealistic. I consider the Warriors to be the most famously loyal franchise in the NBA and even though don't measure up to your own overboard and hyperbolic statement.
Though, like you said, the ballpark is more applicable to the Thunder fanbase (i.e., Oklahoman fans) more so than only Oklahoma City Thunder fans.
@justin
I don't know how many years and/or how many losing seasons etc will be required. I don't think I need to define that to know that your statement was overboard. My definition of "famously loyal" would probably need a good 20 years min with probably 10 consecutive years of really putrid teams with consecutive sellouts anyway...and even then you would only be "famously loyal" if announcers and/or other fans were continuously mentioning how awesome the fans are and mentioning the incredible support through the years in good times and bad. It's a subjective measure, obviously, but you should at least be in that ballpark.
As a writer I'm surprised you really think "Enduring" and "Famously Loyal" would describe the Thunder fans the best. You really think 2 years is enduring? You really think that other cities think the Thunder fans are famously loyal?
Okay...I've already written way more than this subject deserves.
Please note, I'm a famously loyal, enduring fan of this site, the writers, and the frequent posters (Royce, JG, Kev, Justin, Sammy, The Don, etc. etc. etc.).
This team has had zero expectations for the last two seasons. It's easy to be a fan in those circumstances. I agree with Kivman that describing the Thunder fanbase as 'famously loyal' is hyperbolic.
Adam :“Obviously KD is Luke Skywalker…Now Jeff Green…I think he’s much more the under-appreciated yet absolutely essential Princess Leia.”
This kiss would even be more awkward than the movie…
Haha. Well played.
"Obviously KD is Luke Skywalker...Now Jeff Green...I think he’s much more the under-appreciated yet absolutely essential Princess Leia."
This kiss would even be more awkward than the movie...
JoocyD :I mean insomnia. I’m so sleepy.
So it didn't put you right to sleep? Well, read it again. We're here to serve.
stan van gundy could be jabba the hut and trap westbrook in carbonite...
@Kivman
So five years, ten years...what would the requirement of time be then? Would blizzards and ice storms not preventing fans from attending not factor in? And I'll just say this, 3-29 tests how committed you are no matter how long a team has been there or not.
And I will say, this was in no way, shape or form a shot at Seattle, so the rankling you experienced was by no means intentional.
Anonymous :the most poorly written article i’ve seen in years
Maybe it's cause you read this at 12:26 am CST? Cause believe me, I've written much, much worse than this. :)
Danny :The moment of Lebron’s decision, I sent a text to a friend: “The Heat are the new villain-team.” And he responded: “And the Thunder are the heroes.”
But, truthfully, I understand the dudes’ decision to play together in Miami: they just wanted to win a lot of games while playing ball with their homies. It makes sense, and I hardly blame them. But, still, as Simmons explained (while using the example of the two best players in a pick-up game who instinctively choose opposite teams), “it’s a basketball thing.” Lebron and Wade shouldn’t be playing on the same team.
The Heat and Thunder look to be on a collision course. The Thunder will be young; Durant will stay his humble self; and OKC will be folksy while Miami will be glitzy. The narrative will basically write itself.
But Wade and Lebron are not teh two best players in teh league
John :Can this be edited a little more thoroughly? For example, “their” instead of “they’re” in the synopsis, better punctuation in the first paragraph… will lead to the idea being taken more seriously.
This is what you belly ache about when your team is fixing to battle for teh worst record with the minnesota timerwolves
@J.G. Marking
"loyal? Committed? Enduring?"
That's the point...I don't think I'd use any of those yet. More "of the moment" descriptions like "Great" or "Supportive" or "Awesome" or "Maniacal" (that's a weird one, I admit). But you need more history to be, for example, "enduring." I mean...why would you even think of that word?!? You really need a number of years and a stretch of bad teams to prove to be committed, enduring, or "famously loyal." Do you really think anyone outside of OKC thinks "yep...those Thunder fans are famously loyal?"
"The Thunder’s fan base is famously loyal"
I agree with Danny...it was actually the first thing that hit me about the article. The Thunder fans have been great, but "famously loyal" is a bit hyperbolic. You need to be around a few years and really stink for a few years before fans can prove to be loyal let alone "famously" so. See the Hornets who had GREAT attendance for a number of years (and who had proved to be loyal to college teams as well, like OKC) and now...um...not so much. I know it's nitpicking, but as a converted Sonics fan (who felt the team was horrible the last couple of years and then had the fan base used unfairly as one of many excuses to move) this statement rankled a little.
Anyway...I think the Thunder and Heat need to meet in the finals the next few years. The Heat win the first two in closely contested battles (to prove their superiority) and the country hates them because they revel in the success and act like, well, jerks about it, and the plan seems to have worked as LeBron et al get their rings. But the Thunder learn and grow, the country loves their young underdog status, their humble nature, their work ethic, etc. etc. Then they break through and decimate the hated Heat in their third finals meeting. They become America's team! They go on to win a few more titles. The Heat are never heard from again. The Universe is saved!!!
@Anonymous
you should read something from newsok.com, it will change your standards
I mean insomnia. I'm so sleepy.
If you're having trouble sleeping, try reading one of J.G.'s epic posts. It's the cure for narcolepsy.
Nice article royce, but as much as i love the thunder, and star wars, there is only one option for the rebellion, and that is chicago.
Rose is luke skywalker. Boozer is han solo, only in it for the money. Noah kinda looks equally like chewie.
not to mention chicago is a formerly great franchise struggling for relevance, and the heat's big three spurned them in free agency. Wade even tried to play with them as a chicago native.
John :Can this be edited a little more thoroughly? For example, “their” instead of “they’re” in the synopsis, better punctuation in the first paragraph… will lead to the idea being taken more seriously.
I don't see what punctuation you're talking about.
I wasn't meaning to be harsh. Just saw it and pointed it out. Not a big deal. Like Royce said, "It's Friday!"
When I say my prayers, I still thank the lord for The Hornets. For without them, we would all(in OK) still be triple-A at best.
GO THUNDER!!
@Danny
Oklahoma fans give loyalty to those that deserve it.
We were “Famously loyal” to a team that needed a port to crash in and it lead down a path that is still to be realized.
I need not defend Okie/Thunder fans, for the force is strong with those who choose the hard path. The ones that ignore hate, greed, and ease will find glory. The ones who have value, venture, and seek victory, Those are the ones that will have their names in the Hall of Jedi.
God, I want a light-saber ;)
GO THUNDER!!!!
@Ozark. Messa agrees with yousa
@Danny
i see your point, but oklahoma fan in general have been loyal to their teams, no reason to think pro basketball would be any different
Danny :I love the “Famously loyal” statement. 2 seasons of the best young player in the NBA hardly tests loyalty. Good fans, yes. Loyal fans? Hard to say that at this point.
So what would you describe the type of fan behavior exhibited the last two years as besides loyal? Committed? Enduring? Or perhaps another synonym for loyal would be better. :)
I love the "Famously loyal" statement. 2 seasons of the best young player in the NBA hardly tests loyalty. Good fans, yes. Loyal fans? Hard to say that at this point.
I still say Krstic is Jar-Jar Binks.
Jeff Green in a gold bikini was a visual image I really, truly, did not need.
Help me Obi-Won. You're my only hope!
As long as Presti is Yoda i'm good.
I like Westbrook as R2D2. Versatile, small, apparently made of metal, lots of tools and is indispensable in tight spots.
Jeff Green is Han Solo. Likeable, but not especially skilled at anything though he occasionally comes through in the clutch.
Steve H :
As long as we are nit-picking, that picture is BEGGING to be photo-shopped.
If I had any ability at all, I would've. I started to try but I realized I didn't have the talent for it.
@ Steve H It would be hilarious to see Uncle Jeffs face photo shopped on Princess Leia
@san-go
KD wouldn't technically have to be completely adopted or orphaned to meet the criteria of the Hero's Journey. Any kind of absence of the family unit or parental guidance would be enough in essence, though there's obviously a reason an orphan/adopted/cast aside child suits the Hero's Journey the best.
Nice summary of the classic work, by the way.
@J.G.
I think collison would make a good wookie as well....
As long as we are nit-picking, that picture is BEGGING to be photo-shopped.