Additions: PG Russell Westbrook, SF Desmond Mason, PF Joe Smith, PF D.J. White, SG Kyle Weaver, C DeVon Hardin.
Losses: PG Luke Ridnour, C Francisco Elson, SG Mickael Gelabale, SF Donyell Marshall, SG Adrian Griffin.
Ceiling: Slightly better than “terrible”
Now that Clay Bennett and David Stern got what they wanted and the ex-Sonics have planted their roots down in Oklahoma, the Thunder can focus more on winning games and less on alienating its fans and hi-jacking a city that supported the franchise for 41 years. (Is my bitterness showing?) Despite dealing with a litany of distractions and leading the weakest supporting cast of any Alpha Dog in the League, Kevin Durant busted through the rookie wall and got stronger as his ‘07-08 campaign went on. He improved his shooting percentages, shot selection and court awareness in the season’s latter months and rightfully should have run away with the Rookie of the Year voting. Durant (20.3 ppg) will lead the NBA in scoring someday; likely sooner than you think. KD’s sidekick, Jeff Green, took his lumps in Year One — getting lit up by the likes of Kobe and T-Mac night in and night out as coach P.J. Carlesimo often left him out there on an island — but it had to be done if he’s going to be the guy OKC counts on to guard the other team’s best scorer. Green also got better as the year went on, including on the offensive end; he posted two games of 25-plus points in the season’s final week and a half. The third major piece of the Thunder’s rebuilding puzzle, Westbrook, seemed like bit of a reach at #4 on draft night, but during the summer league proved he’ll be an immediate defensive upgrade over the departed Ridnour and an eventual offensive upgrade over veteran incumbent Earl Watson. Veteran pickup Joe Smith will help fill in the gaps left by Chris Wilcox’s maddening inconsistency, and 22-year-old center Johan Petro began to shed the “bust” label by putting together some solid games in the second half of last season.
Basement: Worst team in the NBA
As usual, the ex-Sonics are weak up front, especially on defense. Despite Petro’s flashes of competence, he’s already dealing with a hamstring injury. With Robert Swift (hand) and Saer Sene (knee) also on the shelf, that leaves undersized and under-athletic Nick Collison — the team’s closest thing to a consistent rebounder and adequate post defender — as the likely Opening Night starting center. Second-round pick DeVon Hardin is supposed to help in the regard, but he’s always been more potential than production. There are no great perimeter defenders on the roster, either. Green and Westbrook will get there someday, as will rookie Kyle Weaver, but they’re all babies. And who besides Durant is gonna hit a jump shot? Green took plenty of chunks out of the rim last year, Desmond Mason’s form is as ugly as his end-results, Damien Wilkins will make some simply from jacking too many, and Westbrook and Weaver come into the League with “Must improve jumper” weighing prominently on their scouting reports. OKC has young talent and a future superstar, they have an actual rebuilding plan in place, and there’s a sense of stability within the organization. But for now, they’re open prey in the Western Conference.
I think this team could be better than people think. Still one of the 10 worst teams in the NBA, but they have a big improvement in wing play. Inside game will still be a weakness. Durant and Green should be better also.
Highs & Lows: Oklahoma City Thunder
Highs & Lows: Oklahoma City Thunder
= 2008-2009 NBA World Champ
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