Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) pats guard Russell Westbrook (0) on the head as he hugs center Enes Kanter (11) after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Views from OKC: Two poor efforts in two consecutive nights by Tony Heim

The Key to the OKC Thunder Season May Be the Utah Jazz by Eric Snyder

One thing that really resembles family in my mind is happiness, love and togetherness. Sitting around the table on Thanksgiving and giving thanks for what you have. Waking up early on Christmas Day to see the joy on the face of your family of what you got them. Being there for each other in the hard times and the good times. Loving each other until the day you die.

Something that has been missing in the Thunder and my own family, until recently. Before this season, the OKC Thunder seemed to be a really good team that just coasted into the playoffs and hoped of winning a championship every year. Yes, announcers and the crowd made OKC seem like a big family, but the team didnt truly play like it.

Related: A Salute to the Recently Traded OKC Thunder Players Payne, Morrow and Lauvergne

Sure, there appeared to be a togetherness about the team, but they all seemed to be disappointed in each other every year. Every year they would fall short of their goal.

Even though the OKC Thunder have gotten worse roster wise, they have gotten better as a team and family. I think Durant leaving has made Oklahoma City stronger as a community and the Thunder stronger as a team.

Feb 3, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after hitting a 3 point shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When Durant did decide to leave, the city and state seemed to have a black cloud over it, but only for a short time. With Russell Westbrook re-signing a 3 year deal, it gave fans something to feel great and important about after they had just been thrown under the bus.

When Westbrook gave his full commitment to the OKC Thunder, it gave fans a sense of security. A sense that you know everything is going to be okay. Something that happens all the time in families. If someone leaves or dies, someone has to step up and be the leader of the family. That is something Westbrook has taken hold of and ran with.

Related: Westbrook demonstrates MVP Leadership on and off the court

If someone leaves or dies, someone has to step up and be the leader of the family. That is something Westbrook has taken hold of and ran with.

All of Oklahoma can follow his lead. This is his team and state now. Before, Oklahoma and Thunder fans were always known for their great sense of pride, but now the Thunder and its fans seem to bleed with pride. Thunder blue runs through the veins of every single Thunder fan stronger now than it ever has.

With pride comes happiness. The Thunder may never win a championship with the current squad, but they have something that many teams dont have. That is pride, hope and happiness. That is something that can never be taken away from a person. You can take away their player, but you cant take away the hope.

Displaying a sense of family is something the team on the court seems to be displaying now more than ever. Even though the Thunder are obviously not better without Durant, they appear to have a bigger sense of pride and We Be Okay attitude.

Related: Durants Departure Served to Remind OKC of Resiliency

With Russ as the leader, nothing seems impossible for this team. From Russ to Victor to Steven to Enes and all the others, nothing will stand in these guys way.

Fittingly, Russell will be growing his own family off court as well when his wife Nina Earl introduces their first child into the world. One big beautiful family

-5/2017-

A post shared by Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) on Mar 1, 2017 at 9:49am PST

I guess what I am trying to get out of those reading this is winning isnt everything. Sure, it makes money and produces championships, but having a great organization to stand by every night also makes basketball fun.

Loyalty is a rare commodity now, and if you can find someone who still has it, cherish them.

Kids can look up to this organization as an example. Visiting children in hospitals and building libraries are great. But, staying when everyone says go, speaks volumes. In a world where everyone chases, that isnt always the right answer. Loyalty is a rare commodity now, and if you can find someone who still has it, cherish them.

Cherish them like family. Westbrook will go down as an all-time great in not only the NBA, but in Oklahoma history. He is our guy now and we need to stand behind him with all that we have. Let him know we appreciate him anytime that we can. He could have easily left us behind after Durant bolted, but he decided to stay with the ones who have trusted him since he was drafted.

He put his full trust in us and we will put our full trust in him. So, the next time you take a win for granted, just remember the Thunder. Same with families. The next time you see them, just stop a second and notice how fortunate and lucky you are.

Read the original:
Retooled OKC Thunder roster exudes family chemistry - Thunderous Intentions