Time to preview the 2010-11 Oklahoma City Thunder
Music to listen to: See the Leaves by The Flaming Lips
Last season/offseason changes: The Thunder emerged from the West last season with a record of 50-32, earning the eighth seed of the playoffs. OKC ended up losing to the Lakers in six games but gained valuable experience in the process.
Kevin Durant has begun to make his claim as the best player in the NBA after winning the scoring title last season and leading team USA to a World Championship this summer.
Other players on the roster such as Jeff Green and especially Russell Westbrook make major improvements in their games over the past season.
The Thunder didn’t lose any major players from the squad and even added Daequan Cook, Mo Peterson and drafted Cole Aldrich to help with the interior defense and rebounding.
Strength: You can heap praises on Durant for days, like the fact that he just earned the ability to drink alcohol yet won the scoring title. That he has the potential to average 35 points a season one day in his career. That he can put together a 40/50/90 season which hasn’t been done since Larry Bird. The fact that he’s may end up being 6’10’’ and one of the five best shooters in the league.
The fact that he’s done all of this while keeping the continuity of the Thunder in mind and helping to build a championship team in OKC is very mature for a player of his age and skill.
The thing about Durant that I like seeing is his effort on other aspects of his game, specifically his defense. When he came into the NBA, he looked like a lost cause on that end of the court. While he may never be a top defender, even though he has the physical attributes to become that, I like that he’s made an effort to improve that.
The Thunder also have the benefit of the services of Westbrook who can handle all of the ball handling responsibilities and operate the offense.
Weakness: The interior play of the Thunder.
When everyone talks about how great the Miami Heat are going to be, my response is who is going to guard Dwight Howard.
On a smaller scale for the Thunder, who is going to guard Pau Gasol? Who’s going to take care of the rebounding and interior defense.
I’m optimistic about Serge Ibaka but outside of him, there have to be concerns because if Aldrich flops, than the Thunder have major problems.
The other issue is scoring. Durant will be good for his points but when defenses are able to stop him, especially in the playoffs, where do the points come from. Westbrook will probably increase his point production but the Thunder are hoping to get more production from Jeff Green and especially James Harden.
Most important player: Durant is too easy, so I’ll say Westbrook.
Celebrity crush from the city: I’m going to say Tisha Campbell Martin. Who didn’t have a crush on her during the Martin series?
Coaching: Scott Brooks has become a good name in the world of coaching. The team plays hard for him and he doesn’t make any tactical errors that hurt the Thunder. Hopefully he can stay with the squad when it reaches it complete potential and doesn’t have a situation take place like Doug Collins in Chicago during the Jordan years.
First memory of team: I’m still bummed that the Seattle Sonics moved to OKC because it was preventable. I won’t go into the details but there was no reason why Seattle shouldn’t have a team.
So I’m going back to the Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp years when times were more fun in the Rain City.
Best case: Conference finals
Worst case: First round playoff elimination
Uniform grade: I like the simplicity of the home uniforms but what is going on with the teal and orange combo on the road ones? Grade: C-
Overall outlook: I think it’s a year too early to make the Thunder the second-best team in the West but I can see the argument for having that opinion. Unless he completely flops, Durant will be the league MVP and OKC can push towards 60 wins. However, I still think that the road through the West goes through Los Angeles and the Thunder don’t have the ability to get past it yet.
Those are my thoughts, what about yours?
2010 Backdoor Cut Previews:
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Northwest Division
The Sports Inquirer 
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