[WolfRobParticipant]

Let me start this thread by saying the hate on Kevin Durant has gotten out of hand. On another thread, some actually brought up a Klay Thompson trade for KD….. LOL

 

I’m not going to harp on this and for the sake of the thread I’m going to assume everyone knows when healthy (next year) he’s a top 3 player in the NBA. 

 

Now… Lost in this injury ridden OKC season is it possible Sam Presti has built a legit title contender? Regardless of how this season shakes out, I think they will be the favorite to win the title next year.

 

Let’s ignore the fact that Russell is playing out of his mind and has clearly advanced as a playmaker, (17 assists last night and 10 triple doubles) and just look at the assembled roster. Again, ignore the fact that they may have back to back MVPs.

 

Enes Kanter was a big pick up and it looks like he might realize (beyond) his potential playing with Russ and having Ibaka protect the paint. The Ying to Kanter’s yang is a developing Adams who will continue to improve and piss off opposing players. A necessary "toughness" component for a championship squad. Then off the bench they have Mitch McGary who could turn into another real contributor.

 

If they can keep Augstin, Morrow, and Waiters they have some serious depth in their back court. Not to mention that mix compliments each other well.

 

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 One thing I hate about OKC is that they got too good too quickly, and that early success has caused many people for look at their team subjectively instead of objectively. 

People will always bring up the "Shouldn’t have traded James Harden" bull, and talk about how OKC will never get back to a title game because of it. Do people realize how young that team that went to the championship round was? For real, if they beat the Heat that would have been something historic as Durant was 23, Westbrook was 23, Ibaka 22, and was Harden 22. The fact that they made it that far is mind blowing really. 

Since that run the Thunder have been hampered by injuries every year in the playoffs. First Russ then Ibaka, and and so on. Not a single player in the Thunder core has reached their primes yet and they have already put a stake in as one of the best WC teams every year. 

People gave LeBron a lot of slack because he didn’t win early, and kept bringing up the whole "Jordan didn’t win till his 8th year too" catch phrase. Well, next year Durant will be in his 8th year, and he will have a prime Westbrook, prime Ibaka, prime DJ Augustine, 24 year old Dion Waiters, 22 year old Steven Adams, 23 Mitch McGary,  and 23 Enes Kanter (Hopefully). That core is ridiculous and could contend for years.

The only thing stopping the Thunder is injuries 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 One thing I hate about OKC is that they got too good too quickly, and that early success has caused many people for look at their team subjectively instead of objectively. 

People will always bring up the "Shouldn’t have traded James Harden" bull, and talk about how OKC will never get back to a title game because of it. Do people realize how young that team that went to the championship round was? For real, if they beat the Heat that would have been something historic as Durant was 23, Westbrook was 23, Ibaka 22, and was Harden 22. The fact that they made it that far is mind blowing really. 

Since that run the Thunder have been hampered by injuries every year in the playoffs. First Russ then Ibaka, and and so on. Not a single player in the Thunder core has reached their primes yet and they have already put a stake in as one of the best WC teams every year. 

People gave LeBron a lot of slack because he didn’t win early, and kept bringing up the whole "Jordan didn’t win till his 8th year too" catch phrase. Well, next year Durant will be in his 8th year, and he will have a prime Westbrook, prime Ibaka, prime DJ Augustine, 24 year old Dion Waiters, 22 year old Steven Adams, 23 Mitch McGary,  and 23 Enes Kanter (Hopefully). That core is ridiculous and could contend for years.

The only thing stopping the Thunder is injuries 

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

 Kevin Durant needs to make up with lil b

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

 Kevin Durant needs to make up with lil b

[Ghost01Participant]

 Doesn’t Durant for Griffin make all the sense in the world, assuming this season plays out as we expect, OKC at best a first round exit, and LAC a first-second round out?

[Ghost01Participant]

 Doesn’t Durant for Griffin make all the sense in the world, assuming this season plays out as we expect, OKC at best a first round exit, and LAC a first-second round out?

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Actually it doesnt make any sense. 

Op just informed me, people has been under rating KD for a while, my friend the other day told me he wouldnt take durant top 5. How ridiculous is that? People forget it quickly, KD is the second best player in the NBA hands down. If anything you trade westbrook.

 

 

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Actually it doesnt make any sense. 

Op just informed me, people has been under rating KD for a while, my friend the other day told me he wouldnt take durant top 5. How ridiculous is that? People forget it quickly, KD is the second best player in the NBA hands down. If anything you trade westbrook.

 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

You (and all the other morons on this board) do realize Durant is a Free Agent in 2016, right? 

Use some f-ing context…there is probably at least a 50/50 chance he is gone in a year. And those odds go up if OKC doesn’t win either of the next 2 years. I agree Durant is currently undervalued but he also is currently a 6’11 guy with a ton of feet problems. I’m sorry, but he isn’t hands down #2 anymore. Not with what Davis is doing, not what with Curry and Harden are doing, and look at Westbrook…why the eff would you trade a guy with 8 triple doubles in a month, who seemingly returns from every injury like it never happened, and is having one of the most incredible statistical runs of any player ever? 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

You (and all the other morons on this board) do realize Durant is a Free Agent in 2016, right? 

Use some f-ing context…there is probably at least a 50/50 chance he is gone in a year. And those odds go up if OKC doesn’t win either of the next 2 years. I agree Durant is currently undervalued but he also is currently a 6’11 guy with a ton of feet problems. I’m sorry, but he isn’t hands down #2 anymore. Not with what Davis is doing, not what with Curry and Harden are doing, and look at Westbrook…why the eff would you trade a guy with 8 triple doubles in a month, who seemingly returns from every injury like it never happened, and is having one of the most incredible statistical runs of any player ever? 

 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The only move left for this team to make is replacing Scott Brooks. As many believe, replacing Brooks with an above average coach (easier said than done, of course) could produce results similar to those of the Golden State Warriors after replacing Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr. And OKC could still win a championship with Brooks at the helm and a healthy roster, which they do not have this season. 

Hypothetically, what could we expect if Kerr took over this team and everyone was healthy? It’d be downright scary.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The only move left for this team to make is replacing Scott Brooks. As many believe, replacing Brooks with an above average coach (easier said than done, of course) could produce results similar to those of the Golden State Warriors after replacing Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr. And OKC could still win a championship with Brooks at the helm and a healthy roster, which they do not have this season. 

Hypothetically, what could we expect if Kerr took over this team and everyone was healthy? It’d be downright scary.

[CynthiaParticipant]

I’ve been very pleased with Kanter, him and Adams side by side seems like a match made in Heaven. Then of course there is still Ibaka & Nick Collison doing their thing, and McGary has surprised me as well. It’s hard to fathom but Thunder went from having one of the worst front courts to one that is not only solid but deep. 

The pieces Thunder got for Jackson & Perk was remarkable, almost laughable. I’ve been saying for a couple years now this team is great just needs to get rid of Perkins and Brooks. Step 1 is complete, now Step 2 needs to happen. With a rough season this year albeit because of injuries, I think it’s the perfect chance to look for a new coach.

Cya Scotty, won’t miss you.

[CynthiaParticipant]

I’ve been very pleased with Kanter, him and Adams side by side seems like a match made in Heaven. Then of course there is still Ibaka & Nick Collison doing their thing, and McGary has surprised me as well. It’s hard to fathom but Thunder went from having one of the worst front courts to one that is not only solid but deep. 

The pieces Thunder got for Jackson & Perk was remarkable, almost laughable. I’ve been saying for a couple years now this team is great just needs to get rid of Perkins and Brooks. Step 1 is complete, now Step 2 needs to happen. With a rough season this year albeit because of injuries, I think it’s the perfect chance to look for a new coach.

Cya Scotty, won’t miss you.

[hbomb3300Participant]

I think it’s easy to wish for a better coach, I’m not that high on Brooks myself, but it’s not easy finding a good fit for the team and overall quality coaching.  Plus, Durant is very close to Brooks so firing him this off-season or next could affect his decisions in free agency.

[hbomb3300Participant]

I think it’s easy to wish for a better coach, I’m not that high on Brooks myself, but it’s not easy finding a good fit for the team and overall quality coaching.  Plus, Durant is very close to Brooks so firing him this off-season or next could affect his decisions in free agency.

[HitsterParticipant]

 OKC made nice pick ups in Kanter and Waiters. I’m still surprised that the Cavs let Waiters go to one of their main rivals ableit in another Conference.

[HitsterParticipant]

 OKC made nice pick ups in Kanter and Waiters. I’m still surprised that the Cavs let Waiters go to one of their main rivals ableit in another Conference.

[Author]

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