Thunder Fans for Life by Ree

Saturday late afternoon, I loaded up the car with Paige, my two boys, their two buddies, and my BFF Hyacinth, and we made the 2-plus hour drive to Oklahoma City to watch the Thunder game. We are big Thunder fans in the Drummond house, and this is actually the once professional sports situation where I would describe myself as a more rabid fan than Marlboro Man and the boys. I love, and I mean L-O-V-E, the Thunder. If there’s a game on TV, I will drop everything and watch it.

You might remember the painful experience of the NBA playoffs last May wherein Golden State beat Thunder in game seven. In the life of a rabid fan, this kind of emotional roller coaster is (and was) torture. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams, and the rest of the team gave it their all, but Golden State’s Curry and Thompson’s 3-point shooting made it impossible for them to pull out the victory.

I got tears in my eyes when the series was over, not just because I realized I had absolutely no life and no idea what I was going to do in the evenings anymore, but also because I just loved the dynamic between Durant and Westbrook—it was such a brotherhood, and they had such a beautiful, balletic rhythm.

Rabid Fan Evidence, Exhibit #352: When I learned the news a few weeks later that Durant was going to Golden State, I actually dropped to my knees and wailed “Nnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” I think I might have rent my garments. Marlboro Man was concerned. He had never seen me emote like this before. Neither had his friend Bill, who was visiting from Chicago for our Fourth of July party. And ordinarily, I wouldn’t have exhibited such emotion over sports…but this was different. KEVIN DURANT WAS MOVING TO GOLDEN STATE…WHAT? NO! SAY IT AIN’T SO, KEV! SAY IT AIN’T SO!

So this might help you to understand why I had to go to Saturday’s game in person. This game, the first time K.D. was returning to OKC as a Warrior and not a member of the Thunder (which I still think is his true identity…he just hasn’t quite realized it yet. Haha. He’ll come around one of these days!)—I just simply had to be there to root on my Thunder. My boys had been equally leveled by K.D.’s move, so they were definitely ready to cheer for OKC. Their buddies were pumped as well.

Now, I’m going to be honest: There was a tiny element of trash talking on the ride down. None of it turned ugly, but there was a playful (sort of, maybe not) mention or two of, if not booing K.D. when he arrived on the court, then at least giving him the stink-eye. Being the moms and the nurturers of the car, Hyacinth and I explained (lectured) that booing was definitely NOT the message we want to put out in the world, and that we should all concentrate our efforts on cheering on the Thunder, not taunting Golden State. After all (ouch) Kevin Durant made the best decision for him (ugh) and we all need to (ouch) respect that decision (ugh.) There were still signs of a possible uprising coming from the back of the Suburban, so I was ready to bop Todd and Bryce on the head if they showed any signs during the game of unsportsmanlike conduct.

We got to the arena and because of where we parked, we wound up at a quieter, less crowded entrance…and just before we reached the door, the four boys started whispering with excitement “There’s K.D.’s mom!!! There’s K.D.’s mom!!!” And sure enough, standing with a friend near the door was Kevin Durant’s tall, beautiful, loving, and very devoted mother. She has been such a present, presiding force in the career of her son that my boys recognized her instantly.

“Can we go take a selfie with her??? Can we go say hi???” Todd begged.

“No, don’t bother her…” I said, but his excitement was too great. Before I knew it he had run over to Ms. Durant, introduced himself, and asked if she wouldn’t mind taking a selfie with him. And then—this is the part I loved: She said yes, but then she paused and I heard her say “Now, if you’re gonna boo my baby, I’m not going to take a selfie with you.” She was sweet. But she also wasn’t kidding.

“I won’t, ma’am,” Todd answered. “I promise.” He wasn’t kidding either.

I always love it when God provides angels to help reinforce my lectures to my kids. Haha. But it was such a clear, tangible lesson for all the boys! They might not have listened to me, but they sure listened to K.D.’s mom.

Thunder didn’t win the game, but we had a great time being there for the team and cheering them on. Orange and blue hairs kept flying off of Todd and his friend A.J.’s wigs and getting in my mouth, but we got to meet Rumble the Bison so all was good.

Thunder Fan for Life,
Pioneer Woman