The Thunder are through to the NBA Finals after a blowout performance in game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the Thunder’s number one seed allocation to reach the finals, some NBA legends were apprehensive in supporting OKC and their MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA for short. One such legend is Magic Johnson, who has now issued a public apology to the Thunder and SGA specifically. Magic Johnson has an incredible basketball legacy with the Lakers that the Thunder and their star point guard are attempting to replicate.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have made their own destiny a reality
When the season began way back in October of last year, the clear consensus was that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be playing in the postseason at least. As the season progressed, that number one seed was proven to be correct. The Thunder have, amongst other attributes, the best defense in the NBA. Not to mention a certain Canadian MVP that is capable of astounding feats.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to show the form that got him such high praise last year. In a league full of stars, SGA was easily the best player in the NBA regular season this year. Despite all the positives, there were still some in the basketball world who doubted their ability to perform in the postseason. Magic Johnson was one of those doubters.
Magic Johnson had such an incredible effect on the sport of basketball that the Western Conference Finals MVP award was renamed after the legendary Lakers point guard. With the amazing playoff performances that the Thunder have been producing this season, Magic has now been forced to bite his tongue and issue an apology to SGA and the Thunder.
Why has Magic Johnson chosen to apologize to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
As the Thunder made progress against the Denver Nuggets in the semi-finals of the Western Conference, their grit and teamwork became evident to those who had some doubts about the team from Oklahoma. The Thunder were pushed all the way by the Nuggets and their star man, Nikola Jokic. They would need the full seven games to beat the Nuggets before advancing to the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves.
Once the Western Conference Finals began, the Thunder were out to prove a point to those who chose to doubt them. After the blowout in game 5 that saw the Thunder completely outplay the Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson was forced to admit he was wrong about SGA and his teammates. The Lakers have another legend who has nothing but praise for the Thunder and SGA.
Magic Johnson took to his social media pages to post the following after game 5 against the Timberwolves,
“I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship. The Minnesota Timberwolves did not put forth a desperation effort in tonight’s game. They had bad body language and played like they were already on vacation.”
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder go all the way and win the NBA Finals?
The Thunder have the pressure on them to perform in the Finals and deliver the championship trophy to the city of Oklahoma. Since their last Finals appearance, the organization has gone through some changes, some for the better, some more questionable. Do the Thunder now have the support of one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport in Magic Johnson? The Indiana Pacers are the underdog coming into this year’s Finals, but they are no pushover either. Will the Thunder go all the way and prove the old saying correct? Defense wins championships.
