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The WWE's Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross is widely considered as the best to have ever covered matches in sports entertainment. But outside of wrestling, he is also a passionate supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners football team and holds the Oklahoma City Thunder close to his heart.
Ross was one of the many fans of OKC who were left with a bad taste in their mouth after Kevin Durant announced his decision to bring his talents to the Bay Area and join the Golden State Warriors. But the 64-year-old said he was not surprised by Durant's move and described how he truly felt that time.
“I don't think anyone was totally shocked. That doesn't say that we're happy that he left. It's like getting jilted by your significant other. He was here, and he was the face of the franchise. I met him a couple of times. He's a nice guy, and big wrestling fan. He'd come down to the O.U. basketball games from time to time, and I'd chat with him and say hello. We felt badly that he left, but it wasn't a total shock.”
The current Fox Sports writer understands what the Thunder will miss now that the former MVP and four-time scoring champion is not part of their team's fold anymore. He keeps his expectations realistic, but still full of belief, on how the team might fare this season.
“Can we win the West? I don't know if we're going to win the West this year. Can we get into the playoffs? I think so. Once you're in the playoffs, everything starts all over. It's a succession of seven-game series' with your adversary. You win or you go home. If we can get into the playoffs with some momentum, and these young guys come together as a unit, we can give people some problems. Especially when you have a healthy (Russell) Westbrook, who's a conundrum to anyone he plays.”
But even if Durant left the Thunder, Ross said he has not hate against him. But he made it clear there is one thing he wants to happen every time the team will play the Warriors.
“Hopefully he'll (Durant) do well. I'm not a hater. I don't have enough fuel in my tank to use part of it for hate and issues. I hope he does well. But, at the same time, I hope we beat their ass every time we play them.”
The Thunder lost their first meeting this season on November 3 but will get the chance to avenge their loss when Durant and the Warriors visit Chesapeake Energy Arena on January 18.
