2010-11 Oklahoma City Thunder Preview

Jeff Clark from CelticsBlog.com has once again organized the fifth annual NBA Blog Previews, and Planet BBall is honored to be a part of it. Here’s a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder for the upcoming 2010-11 season:

No first round exit this year.

Team Name: Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Year’s Record: 50-32
Key Losses: None that I can see
Key Additions: Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, Morris Peterson

1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?
Obviously, the Thunder were not in the midst of the free agent wars going on this summer. But they quietly signed multi-year contracts with the two most important people to this team – Kevin Durant and Sam Presti. They also added Cole Aldrich, a great rebounding big man who will solidify them in the post, and a couple more role players in Daequan Cook and Morris Peterson. And they didn’t lose any of the influential players from last year’s team. In fact, considering the experience that Durant and Russell Westbrook picked up on Team USA, I would go so far as to say that the Thunder improved their team more than any other Western Conference contender. What they lacked last year in the playoffs was experience, and what better way to gain some than having your two best players compete on the world stage?

2011 NBA MVP, coming right up

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?
Right now, it’s confidence. These young guys impressed the entire NBA last year, even putting a legitimate scare into the eventual champs, the Lakers, threatening to end their season early. They have no doubt heard all the talk and predictions about them this offseason. They realized that if they play together and continue to be unselfish, they can compete with practically any team in the league. Oh, and having the reigning scoring champ doesn’t hurt, either.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
Although their stars have grown up a lot in the last couple years, the Thunder still may have a problem because of their lack of age and experience. They haven’t had any difficulties yet with egos or selfishness, but these will inevitably come as individual players get better and expect more for themselves. Some players may find that they don’t like their limited roles on the team. However, Durant is the unquestioned leader of this team and has every player’s respect. His unselfish manner and team play will continue to set a great example, holding the team together and keeping everyone happy.

4. What are the goals for this team?
Three goals that I can see:

1. Solidifying the team pecking order. Obviously, Durant is player #1, with Russell Westbrook right behind him. But after that is a free-for-all. With so many young guys trying to prove themselves,Scott Brooks is going to have a hard time deciding who to give minutes to. The first two-thirds of the season needs to be spent ironing out the wrinkles and determining definite starters and bench rotation. Then they will be ready for the playoffs.
2. Winning the Northwest Division. With the Jazz losing their best scorer in Carlos Boozer and the Nuggets falling apart and likely losing Carmelo Anthony, this division is the Thunder’s to lose. Although division champs doesn’t mean much in this league, it will at least establish them as serious contenders and boost their confidence even more.
3. Finishing in the top 3 in the Western Conference. Assuming the Lakers grab the top seed, which they should, a 2- or 3-seed means the Thunder won’t run into the reigning champs until the Conference Finals. The Lakers are the only team in the West who I can see stopping OKC.

5. What is the Thunder’s ceiling for this year? Is there one?
The Thunder are making it to the Western Conference Finals this year. But they still aren’t quite good enough to beat the Lakers in a seven game series. Los Angeles is too mature, and they won’t be surprised as easily as they were last postseason. That being said, if something happens and the Lakers fall to another team in the first two rounds, the Thunder will claim the Western Conference title and leap into the Finals. As for their Eastern Conference opponents, I think they need at least another year before they can play with the Celtics or Heat, which is why they won’t be winning the championship this season. So I would say that their ceiling is fourth-best team in the NBA, behind LA, Boston, and Miami. Not bad for a team that finished 26th in the league only two years ago.

There you go – Oklahoma City Thunder are finishing in the top three in the West and heading to the Western Conference Finals. Also, in case you haven’t heard, Kevin Durant will be winning the NBA MVP award in about 8 months. As for the Thunder’s record at the end of the season, my prediction is 55-27.

Any questions? Comments? Let me know what you think.