CAN THE THUNDER GET PAST THE 1ST ROUND THIS YEAR?
So I know I haven’t posted anything on this site in a LONG time.. SORRY! I’ve been really busy lately, but now that I have some time on my hands, let’s start with a few articles regarding the NBA and the off-season acquisitions..
It would be no fun if I started an article with the biggest headline in the NBA.. (which would mean that I would start with the Miami Heat) as if we haven’t talked about it enough.. NOT FAIR! Enough said.. haha, so my first article of the off-season is in honor of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who more than proved in this year’s playoffs that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, but also are a tremendous threat now.. No team on the West was able to push the Lakers the way that they did, and that was without a true big man.. Let’s break down their team..
THE BREAD N BUTTER FOR THIS YOUNG THUNDER TEAM..
At PG, Mr. Westbrook showcased what he’s capable of (despite his ups and downs, and high turnovers).. in only the 2nd year of his career, he was able to turn around his game completely and significantly increased his PPG and APG.. I’m not sure of his exact numbers, but for a whole month during last season, he was almost averaging triple-double numbers nightly (I would know because I had him in fantasy basketball last season, lol).. He also terrorized Fisher in the playoffs, and showed a little preview of what the West is in for, for years to come…
At SG, you have a great role player and outstanding defender in Thabo Sefolosha.. He may not be able to stop Kobe (well… nobody can ACTUALLY stop the BLACK MAMBA), but he’s almost as good as it gets.. Kobe has seen the likes of Bruce Bowen, Raja Bell, and Ron Artest.. none of whom have been able to stop Kobe YTD.. he can jack up the 3 and is not a player in need of the ball, but can deliver when called upon to perform..
At SF, this is a player who claims that he will not let anything stop him from becoming the greatest player to ever play the game.. (I thought that guy’s name was Michael Jordan..) but, with a scoring title in only the 3rd year of his career, along with carrying his team to the playoffs in a very tight Western Conference, I’d be a fool to deny Durant’s talents.. He’s proven that he’s not a greedy player and that he’s loyal by signing an extension with the Thunder.. and has publicly come out to express his disgust in this off-season’s player movement, stating “Now everybody wanna play for the Heat and the Lakers? Let’s go back to being competitive and going at these peoples!” He has a very promising future, and I think he gets the scoring title for a 2nd year in a row this upcoming season (Also was on my fantasy team last season -_-)…
At PF, everybody watch out.. With the way he performed in the playoffs, there’s no other way that Jeff Green will come out, except firing.. He will look to prove that he can compete at the NBA level in the playoffs, and look to shake off his playoff rust.. A versatile player that can shoot the outside j, or take it to the hoop, he lacks a bit of size to play the post position.. but with hard work-outs and if he keeps continuing to develop his shot, he could be a major threat this year..
WILL KANSAS' BIG MAN BE ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR THE THUNDER?
At C, rookie Cole Aldrich has some big shoes to fill, and will need to quickly adapt to make an impact immediately.. His defense and rebounding was too much for OKC to pass up on, as they traded with the Hornets to acquire him.. Just his size alone is enough to add depth to the team, and is considered to be one of the missing pieces to become a contender.. One of the main concerns when they lost to the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs was that OKC lacked the size to compete with the Champs.. well guess what? NOW they got it..
THE DEVELOPMENT OF HARDEN WILL BE KEY TO OKC'S SUCCESS...
Coming off the bench is an outstanding 2nd year player now, who had a great rookie campaign.. showcasing his offensive talents, from drilling the long-ball to taking it to the hoop for a monstrous jam.. He has a great understanding of the game, and can score in bunches.. It will be interesting to follow his development, as I feel he will have one of the biggest roles on the Thunder role this year.. to be the anchor that comes off the bench…
IBAKA DUNK CONTEST IN 08.. IS HE SERIOUS?
Also from last year’s bench, we saw flashes of brilliance from this player from Congo.. and no I’m not talking about the Lakers’ DJ Mbenga.. Serge Ibaka showcased what he can provide: and that’s high-flying dunks, blocks, and rebounds.. Although his numbers don’t show it, this athletic power forward is no joke and has easily become one of the fan-favorites in Oklahoma.. He’s earned nicknames such as “Iblocka a lot,” “The Sergeon,” and “Chewblocka.”
So what do you add to a team filled with young, athletic players? Exactly right! You surround them with veteran shooters…
MO PETE ADDS INSTANT OFFENSE FOR THE THUNDER'S WEAK BENCH FROM LAST YEAR..
Along with Cole Aldrich, the Hornets sent over Morris Peterson in the trade package.. Now, Mo Pete is no stranger to highlight reels.. He’s done his share of damage.. mostly in the form of buzzer beaters while with Toronto, and added to his plethora of SPORTSCENTER top plays while playing for the Hornets.. He gives this team exactly what they need with some veteran leadership, packed with some instant-needed offense off the bench..
THIS IS WHAT MAKES HIM SPECIAL...
The last key addition for the Thunder this off-season, was 09 3-point champion Daequan Cook.. As the Heat needed to clear cap space, there’s no question why the Thunder decided to swoop on this guy.. Besides the fact that he won the 3-point contest in 2009, he’s a great shooter in-game.. Just another guy that’ll put up points from the bench in a hurry..
With the roster upgrades and the development of young talent, I can’t say that they will be any lower than a 4 seed in this years’ Western Conference playoffs.. Rather, I think they’re the 2nd best team in the West.. but we’ll see how the rest of the off-season plays out..
