Lot of talk recently about the Oklahoma City Thunder's recent success.  Almost .500 since New Year's Eve.  Durant exploding.  Presti's moves looking solid so far.  Would you believe some fans aren't happy with it?

Logic is that the more the Thunder win, the fewer their chances are of drafting Blake Griffin, since Griffin seems to be a lock for the top pick in the draft.  More victories, fewer ping pong balls in the lottery, fewer chances to draft number one.

That's fact, and I won't argue with it.  But to hope a team that you're rooting for will lose doesn't make sense.  Think what you will of Herm Edwards and his most obvious of obvious statements, I buy in.  All the way.  You play to win the game!  No other reason to play.  Sports is about winning and winning the right way. 

First of all, the NBA draft lottery disallows the certainty of the team with the worst record having the number one pick in the next year's draft.  It's possible and that team has the best chance, the second worst team has the second best chance, and so on.  But it isn't a guarantee.  Last year, the Chicago Bulls had the ninth worst record but won the lottery and got the top pick.  Having a worse record allows you a greater chance to have the top pick, but it doesn't guarantee you it.

Secondly, developing losing habits, such as not giving effort and not investing emotionally in games, will be much more damaging than not getting Griffin.  Yes, teams can turn their mentality and attitude around from one year to the next, but that's not a guarantee and it isn't easy.  Ask any coach or player what an acceptance and tolerance of losing will do a team.  You don't want that in your locker room and around your organization.  Not for the mere chance to get the best player in the draft, and not even if the worst record would guarantee it.  Not to mention that a lack of effort on the court can lead to a greater chance of injury.  If a player isn't intense and focused on the task at hand, he's more likely to have someone roll up on his ankle or be caught by an innocent elbow. 

If a team loses down the stretch of a terrible season, thereby improving their draft status, it isn't the end of the world.  But rooting for your team to lose defies what sports are all about.  Enjoy the Thunder's success and hope that it leads to more down the road.  And let's hope that that success includes the hometown big man.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts here at thesportsanimal.com and call the show at 460-WWLS (9957) or 888-285-WWLS (9957).  Thanks as always for reading and have a nice day!