by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder got the welcome from a hero of their fans while they paraded the Larry O’Brien trophy around Oklahoma City after winning the NBA title on Sunday evening.
During a debilitating seven-game series against the grim Indiana Pacers, the League MVP OKC led to its first title since the franchise in 2008 was moved and renamed from Seattle.
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On Tuesday morning, fans were in the states in the streets of Oklahoma City to see their team only two days after their award in Paycom Center. During the Parade, SGA and his teammates came close to fans when confetti rained over the streets.
Unlike many championship parades with star players on top of buses and rarely immerse themselves in the crowd, the biggest names of the Thunder walked on foot and presented the trophy for fans to touch. Gilgous-Alexander was seen waving with the team banner outside their home arena while wearing his native Canadian flag around his waist.
The Paraderoute started on North 10th Street in the center of Oklahoma City, went south and concluded outside Paycom Center, where the team and coaching staff speeches the public. According to Oklahoma’s voice, around 500,000 people attended the celebration.
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“Wow … … thank you very much,” Gilgous-Alexander said the crowd, according to the Oklahoman. “Never forget this. Moments in life like this, they don’t come very often. … We love you.”
The franchise previously won the NBA title in 1979 as the Seattle Supersonics before moving to Oklahoma City in 2007. The Thunder appeared in the final in 2012, led by Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. That version of the team lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in four games.
Nadat dat trio uiteindelijk Oklahoma City heeft verlaten, begon het team een herbouw, waaronder het verwerven van Gilgeous-Alexander van de LA Clippers in ruil voor Paul George in 2019. Met een jonge kern gecoacht door Mark Daigneault, overwon de Thunder de Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets en Minnesota Timberwolves om de West te winnen en de Pacers te verslaan voor hun eerste banner.
