Kevin Durant’s Emotional Hug With Mother Washes Away Months of Heartache in Oklahoma City

by abournenesn

Jun 7, 2012

Kevin Durant's Emotional Hug With Mother Washes Away Months of Heartache in Oklahoma CityThe wait is over in Oklahoma City. After 44 long years, the city can finally celebrate a Western Conference championship and root on their hometown heroes as they head to the NBA Finals.

No, wait. That should be months. Forty-four months. The Thunder haven't been there that long.

Not that you would know that seeing the crowd erupt at Chesapeake Energy Arena. They love their basketball in OKC, and the fans have lived up to the hype they promised when the team arrived from Seattle.

Ah yes, Seattle, the city the league forgot. The land David Stern left in limbo, leaving millions caught in the lurch, unsure of whether to cheer for Kevin Durant as one of their own or to curse out Clay Bennett and the ownership group that tore these champions away from them.

In Oklahoma City, there is no such uncertainty. As the seconds ticked off the clock and the Thunder reveled in their coronation, Durant wrapped his mother up in his 7-foot-5 wingspan and hugged her tight, the two clinging to each other in a moment of familial bliss that transcends sports.

The Thunder have made it to the Finals — where they will be the favorites, most likely — and they did it in three and a half years. It's a moment many will be hugging about, but not in Seattle.

You can call the Thunder whatever you want — the Hijackers, the Team That Must Not Be Named, the Zombie Sonics — but now, you have to call them Western Conference Champions.

Photo of the Night

Which way to Seattle, Kevin?

Kevin Durant's Emotional Hug With Mother Washes Away Months of Heartache in Oklahoma City

Quote of the Night

"You can't give up this easily. You know there's always got to be a second chance for you. You always have the power to win."
–Jack Meyer, the young Miami Heat fan of "Good effort, good job" fame

Tweet of the Night

We all do. We all do.

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