In the leadup to the 2017-18 season opener, there was a refrain from Thunder players – how they start against the New York Knicks should set a tone for the entire year.
On the Thunder’s very first possession of its 105-84 victory over the Knicks, the team swarmed around the floor, closing out and scrambling as if their defense was choreographed. The result was an airballed heave at the end of the shot clock for New York.
On the ensuing possession, the Thunder’s All-Star trio got in on the action, with Russell Westbrook slicing into the paint to rebound a Paul George missed three then immediately kicking it out to Carmelo Anthony.