Originally, the Thunders' problem was the dispute over ball possession, the compatibility issue with two big ball-handlers.
But after watching this playoff game, fans felt something else entirely.
The eighth seed playing the first seed, no matter what the reasons are, the difference in strength is obvious.
Since the NBA implemented the 16-team playoff format in 1947, in its 66-year history, there have been only 4 "Black Eight" miracles in 130 instances.
Especially since the first round adopted the best-of-seven format, there have been only 2 occurrences, and one of those was because Ross was injured.
To put it bluntly, this is a practically unwinnable match.
Just like Hansen said last year, failure divides people in different ways, and so does adversity.
Westbrook did not shrink in the face of adversity; he lost standing.
By contrast, after being trashed-talked by Hansen, James just disappeared, padding his stats during garbage time and staggered shifts.
