Oklahoma City Thunder opened their pre-season with disappointment
after losing to Real Madrid 142-137 earlier this week. The Thunder controlled
the pace for the first 3 quarters, however the Spaniards pushed the game into
overtime in the forth to clinch victory. Despite efforts by the team’s lone
star Russell Westbrook who scored 18 points in his 22 minutes and Oladipo’s 34
points and 5 assists in his 33 minutes, the Thunder were unable to defeat the
nine time Euroleague champions.
With the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State
Warriors in July, the challenge of keeping up the standard Thunder fans are
accustomed to is becoming a more daunting task for the team. This loss has
caused many to ask questions about how serious the loss of Kevin Durant is for
the franchise, and how this will affect the Thunder this upcoming season. With Russell Westbrook the only remaining star
on the team, the pressure is now on to see if he can lead the Thunder a season
as impressive as the last, and more importantly allow the Thunder to remain
legitimate threats in the West.
At this point only time can tell, and although it is only
one loss, it is quite telling of the mental state of Thunder at the moment.
Westbrook has proven just how much of a dominate force he can be in the past,
and with a good supporting cast, OKC can still prove to be serious contenders
in the West. 
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