In 2012, I rooted for the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Every game, I was glued to the television cheering on the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. I was anti-Lebron, at the time, so of course I was going to favor the underdogs.

They gave it their all but their all wasn’t enough to defeat the star studded Miami Heat roster. The Thunder lost the series four games to one. At that moment I jumped on the bandwagon and became a supporter of the Thunder’s rise to the top. Kevin Durant, the league’s leading scorer that year, was automatically in my top five. I went as far as buying an “authentic” jersey of his. It takes true fandom to purchase an authentic jersey. I was team Durant, team Thunder. They would one day become champions, I thought.

That fandom ended this week. I had the privilege to attend the Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game. Billy Donovan, the Thunder’s head coach, decided that after the gritty Toronto game the night before he was going to give Durant and Serge Ibaka the “night off”. Russell Westbrook was coming into Detroit hot following a triple-double performance.

Even though Durant and Ibaka were missing from the Thunder’s roster, the Pistons dug deep and pulled out a win on their home court. During the waning moments of the game, Reggie Jackson (formally Russell Westbrook’s backup, now the Pistons’ starting guard) evoked the excited crowd and threw his arms up, celebrating the win. A win that vaulted the Pistons to 7th place in the Eastern Conference. His end-of-game celebratory antics left  a sour taste with his former teammates.

Westbrook and Durant had their own comments about Jackson’s celebration after the game. Russell Westbrook told reporters, “It was some real bullshit,” referring to Jackson. Westbrook did not appreciate Jackson jumping up and down and being overly elated over a regular season win against a non-conference opponent that was missing two of their starters.

But that wasn’t the statement that ended my fan relationship with the Oklahoma City. It was Durant’s statement that pushed me over the edge. Kevin Wayne Durant, he was arguably one of my favorite players in the league too.

“I wanted to play against Detroit, for sure, but you know, it’s Detroit, who cares about Detroit?” Durant told reporters. Prior to his “who cares about Detroit” comment Durant assured that if he and Ibaka were available they “would’ve beat the hell out of them…” referring to the Pistons.

As a Detroit fan, I’m used to it…we’re used to it. Durant can say whatever he wants about Detroit and how insignificant they are in the NBA but a win is a win. A win that put Detroit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Durant may not care about Detroit but the thousands of fans at the arena and watching on TV cheering the Pistons on, sure do.

Durant, Westbrook and company almost lost to a Los Angeles Clippers team that was near depleted. DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul, J.J. Reddick AND Blake Griffen weren’t in action. The Thunder should have rolled over the Clippers but instead had to rely on a Steven Adams tip in late in the game to guarantee the win. The Thunder are already destined for the playoffs but I’m sure Westbrook and Durant were happy to get the win. Sounds like deja vu?

Granted, Reggie Jackson left the Thunder last season at the trade deadline on bad terms. Reggie wanted to be the “man” in Oklahoma City but was overshadowed by Durant and Westbrook. Since his departure, I guess you can say there has been bad blood between these players. Jackson must have really got under their skin to bother them the way he did.

My allegiance to the Thunder is officially over. With the two kings of the West (Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs) the Thunder won’t get as far as they did in 2012. Durant will possibly go his own way and Westbrook…well who knows, he might stay in OKC and become their go to triple double machine. Truth be told, the Thunder aren’t winning a championship this year or next. Their power in the Western Conference has weakened over the years.

Detroit is a hard-working city. The Pistons’ motto years ago was “Going to work!”  We were the Bad Boys. We were supposed to be swept in the finals in 2004. It’s not like those words haven’t been said before about Detroit. We’re not expecting to be favored anytime soon. Durant and Westbrook should worry more about getting past the Spurs and Warriors before being disgruntled that your former teammate celebrated your loss.

So I wish Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder the best of luck, because just like the Pistons, they’re going to need it to advance in the playoffs. I guess Durant will add Reggie Jackson and the Detroit Pistons next to Stephen A. Smith’s name of those he can’t stand.