The Warriors Got Warrior'd

We have seen it during so many Warriors games this season. A closely contested game turning into a bloodbath in - what seems like - a matter of seconds. One poor possession, a back breaking bucket to follow it up, rinse, repeat, and next thing you know the game has gone from two possessions to ten possessions in the blink of an eye. One team thriving in a chaotic back and forth game, and the other team floundering. That's what we saw last night, and for the first time it was the 73 win that looked absolutely helpless in defeat. Steph Curry, who somehow makes 45 foot jump shots look casual, hesitantly left a woeful attempt at a floater harmlessly glancing off the front rim. The Warriors, who have never not seemed capable of coming back from a deficit this season, looked dead in the water as role players like Dion Waiters were feeding on their corpse. For the first time since I can remember it was the superstars at the other end of the floor inspiring their team to prey on a vulnerable opponent. It's not just the 28 point defeat that was eye opening, it was the way in which it came about. A way which the Warriors are all too familiar with. A way the Thunder now now they are capable of. A way which can easily get out hand if you are on the wrong side of it. 

Forget the absurdity of the final score. Forget that Steph Curry finished the game with a flat out stunning -39 point differential. The most shocking aspect Game 3 was that the Golden State Warriors - for the first time all season - got beaten BADLY at their own game. I admittedly didn't think the Thunder had much of a chance when the series started. In fact, even after they won the first game in Golden State I was hesitant to admit it was anything more than a minor hiccup by their competition. But having seen them put forth a performance that would make much more sense if the roles were reversed I have no choice but to admit that the Thunder have a very real shot of representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. It's hardly any reason to count out the Warriors because it is just one game, but it's one game that couldn't have possibly made more of a statement. That statement being that the Thunder can do what previously seemed unthinkable, and that is Warrior the Warriors.