Sports analyst weighs in on Thunder's chances in Game 7 of NBA Finals

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LOCAL SPORTS RADIO SHOW TO TALK ABOUT THE RARITY SEVEN GAME SERIES IN THE NBA FINALS ARE THE STUFF OF LEGEND. THE LAST ONE HAPPENED IN 2016 AND LEBRON JAMES GAVE AN ICONIC PERFORMANCE. A SPORTS RADIO HOST I TALKED TO SAYS THIS COULD BE JUST THAT. THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH GAME SEVEN, BUT THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 19 GAME SEVENS IN NBA FINALS HISTORY UNTIL NOW. NICK SMITH THE THREE PUTS IT IN. NOW THE SERIES IS COMING BACK TO OKC FOR A WINNER TAKE ALL GAME, AND THE HOST OF THE SPORTS ANIMAL MIDDLE OF THE DAY SHOW SAYS HE’S GOT THE THUNDER. BUT THE STATS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. FOR ANY INDICATION OF WHO SHOULD TAKE IT. THE LAST THREE GAME SEVENS, THE TEAM THAT WON GAME SIX ALSO WON GAME SEVEN. SO THERE’S THINGS GOING FOR OKLAHOMA CITY AND AGAINST. BUT THE BIGGEST NUMBER TO ME IS THAT OKLAHOMA CITY HAS OUTSCORED THEIR OPPONENTS BY OVER 200 POINTS AT HOME IN THE PLAYOFFS. IN 2016, LEBRON JAMES AND THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS COMPLETED THE SERIES COMEBACK AGAINST THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS WITH LEBRON’S ICONIC BLOCK BACK TO IGUODALA UP FOR THE LAYUP. OH, BLOCKED BY JAMES. THE STUFF OF LEGENDS THAT FINALS HAD EVERYTHING IN IT. YOU HAD THE BEST PLAYER IN THE GAME MAKING A GREAT PLAY. YOU HAD THE BEST TEAM OF ALL TIME, LOSE ON THEIR HOME FLOOR. AND SO COMPARING ANY FINALS TO THAT FINALS IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR OKC FANS, HE SAYS. WE WON’T KNOW HOW THIS SERIES WILL ETCH ITSELF IN THE HISTORY BOOKS UNTIL IT’S OVER. BUT I MEAN, FOR THE MOST PART, YOU LOOK BACK ON THE HISTORY OF GAME SEVENS AND THERE ARE HALL OF FAMERS ALL OVER THE FLOOR. WE DON’T KNOW YET JUST WHO THOSE PLAYERS WILL BE, BUT I THINK SHAY DUB, TYRESE HALIBURTON, THOSE TYPE OF PLAYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT REPUTATION SOMEDAY. BUT HE ALSO TELLS ME THE DAY AFTER SUCH A TOUGH LOSS IS NOT A DAY HE EXPECTS TO HEAR MUCH OPTIMISM. LET’S GO TO JOHN. WHAT’S UP? JOHN AND HIS WORDS RING TRUE WHEN FANS CALLED IN FRIDAY. I’M NOT SURE IF YOUR OPTIMISM IS MISGUIDED OR NAIVE. IF THE THUNDER DON’T DO IT THIS YEAR, WILL IT EVER GET DONE? NOT TODAY, BUT THEY’LL B

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face a rare Game 7 in the NBA Finals, a momentous occasion that has only occurred 19 times in the league's history

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Updated: 6:08 PM CDT Jun 20, 2025

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face a rare Game 7 in the NBA Finals, a momentous occasion that has only occurred 19 times in the league's history. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelMark Rodgers, host of the Sports Animal Middle of the Day Show, shared his thoughts on the Thunder's chances and the unpredictable nature of these games."The Oklahoma City Thunder have a long history with Game 7," Rodgers said. The series is returning to Oklahoma City for a winner-take-all game, and Rodgers noted that the last three game sevens saw the team that won Game 6 also win Game 7, which could be favorable for the Thunder. He highlighted that Oklahoma City has outscored its opponents at home by over 200 points in the playoffs.Reflecting on the 2016 NBA finals, Rodgers recalled LeBron James' iconic performance with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors. "That finals had everything, and you had the best player in the game making a great play. You had the best team of all time lose on their home floor. Comparing any finals to that finals is gonna be difficult," he said."But for the most part, you look back at Game 7s and there are hall of famers all over the floor,” Rodgers said. "We don’t know yet just who those players will be, but I think Shai, Dub, Tyrese Haliburton are gonna have that type of reputation."However, Rodgers acknowledged the lack of optimism following a tough loss, as fans expressed their doubts during calls to his show. One caller questioned, "I’m not sure if your optimism is misguided or naïve," while another wondered, "If the Thunder don’t do it this year, will it ever get done?" Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Despite the current sentiment, Rodgers predicted, "Not today, but they’ll be optimistic Sunday."More Thunder HeadlinesThunder NBA Finals: Tickets, schedule and what to knowSwiss fan fulfills dream of visiting Oklahoma City for Thunder gameOklahoma City Thunder fans bring electric energy to Paycom CenterOKC Bricktown Water Taxi welcomes global visitors during NBA FinalsNBA Finals schedule: When you can watch the Thunder play

OKLAHOMA CITY —

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face a rare Game 7 in the NBA Finals, a momentous occasion that has only occurred 19 times in the league's history.

>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

Mark Rodgers, host of the Sports Animal Middle of the Day Show, shared his thoughts on the Thunder's chances and the unpredictable nature of these games.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder have a long history with Game 7," Rodgers said.

The series is returning to Oklahoma City for a winner-take-all game, and Rodgers noted that the last three game sevens saw the team that won Game 6 also win Game 7, which could be favorable for the Thunder. He highlighted that Oklahoma City has outscored its opponents at home by over 200 points in the playoffs.

Reflecting on the 2016 NBA finals, Rodgers recalled LeBron James' iconic performance with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors.

"That finals had everything, and you had the best player in the game making a great play. You had the best team of all time lose on their home floor. Comparing any finals to that finals is gonna be difficult," he said.

"But for the most part, you look back at Game 7s and there are hall of famers all over the floor,” Rodgers said. "We don’t know yet just who those players will be, but I think Shai, Dub, Tyrese Haliburton are gonna have that type of reputation."

However, Rodgers acknowledged the lack of optimism following a tough loss, as fans expressed their doubts during calls to his show.

One caller questioned, "I’m not sure if your optimism is misguided or naïve," while another wondered, "If the Thunder don’t do it this year, will it ever get done?"

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.

Despite the current sentiment, Rodgers predicted, "Not today, but they’ll be optimistic Sunday."

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