Former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters has shed light on the internal dynamics of the team during their infamous 2016 Western Conference Finals collapse. In a recent interview, Waiters hinted at underlying tensions and distractions that may have contributed to the team’s disappointing playoff run.
A Tweet read,
“Dion Waiters says there was something strange going on in the Thunder’s locker room the year they blew a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals. “You got superstars over there and it was a lot going on, bruh. From the outside looking in you’re thinking it’s one way until you get there and it’s NOT what it really seems to be — Like, guys got along but when you watch it from afar, it looks like guys are closer from afar and then when you get there, it’s like… whoa. But I still think we should’ve went to the Finals when we were up 3-1 that year [in 2016]. I hate talking about it. But OKC? It was a lot going on, bro. It was a lot of different and I don’t want to say hidden agendas, it was just a lot of tension that’s all.””
Dion Waiters says there was something strange going on in the Thunder’s locker room the year they blew a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
“You got superstars over there and it was a lot going on, bruh. From the outside looking in you’re thinking it’s one way until you… pic.twitter.com/i9od4XSIvB
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 13, 2024
The 2016 Western Conference Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2016 Western Conference Finals with high hopes, led by superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The team had a commanding 3-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors but ultimately lost the series in seven games. This collapse remains one of the most shocking moments in NBA history.
Dion Waiters’ Insights
During an appearance on the “Knuckleheads Podcast,” Waiters discussed the dynamics within the Thunder locker room. He mentioned that from the outside, it seemed like the team was cohesive, but the reality was quite different. According to Dion Waiters, there were hidden tensions and agendas that affected the team’s performance.
Locker Room Tensions
Dion Waiters described the locker room atmosphere as “awkward” and filled with tension. He noted that while the players got along, there were underlying issues that created a divide. This tension was exacerbated by the high expectations and pressure to win the championship.
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