Skip Bayless made an embarrassing mistake during the first quarter of Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder were the heavy favorites to win the series after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference First Round.
However, the Nuggets, who also went to seven games against the Los Angeles Clippers, rallied hard to extend the matchup as long as possible.
And, they looked like upsetting OKC after an excellent first quarter, which frightened Bayless and many other Thunder fans.
Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty ImagesSkip Bayless performs Oklahoma City Thunder U-turn
The Nuggets started Game 7 much stronger than the Thunder, winning the first quarter 26-21, and Bayless was extremely disappointed.
“This is seriously pathetic,” he tweeted. “The NBA is about to be laughing at the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re getting exposed.”
He followed that up with another angry comment: “I hate to say this, but the Thunder are gagging their guts out from 3 – as they have throughout this series.
“Snakebitten. Shaky-handed. Hesitating. No conviction. You know it’s a miss off the sweaty fingertips.”
Thankfully for the Thunder, their struggles only lasted one quarter. They were up 14 points by halftime and eventually won 125-93.
It turns out that Bayless was far too quick to criticize his team. He even tipped them to win the NBA Championship just hours after his rant.
“I’m about to unleash a video on the soon-to-be NBA champion OKC Thunder,” he posted to his 3.1 million X followers.
Oklahoma City Thunder must overcome clear disadvantage vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City were fortunate that Denver had already played a seven-game series against the Clippers.
It probably had something to do with their lousy Game 7 performance and even Aaron Gordon’s hamstring injury.
Well, the tables will turn in the Western Conference Finals as the Thunder will go up against a well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves team.
Minnesota beat the Golden State Warriors in a gentleman’s sweep on Wednesday night, which means they’ve had an extra four days to recover and prepare.
The good news for Mark Daigneault’s team is that they’re probably the deepest in the NBA, so they can withstand some labored performances from their players more than anyone else.