The Oklahoma City Thunder, with Kevin Durant, will always be contending for a title. Every year, the Thunder play deep into the post season, but always fall just short of a Finals victory. Could this season be the next step?
Many of the same pieces are in place. The Thunder’s big three, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka will all play their fifth season together, along with key contributors in Reggie Jackson and Kendrick Perkins.
This off-season has not been flashy for the Thunder. Long time OKC player Thabo Sefolosha signed with the Atlanta Hawks and Caron Butler was not resigned. In previous off-seasons, they have not made huge moves either. General Manager Sam Presti’s biggest trade was dealing for Perkins, but that occurred during the season and was almost four years ago. James Harden being traded for Kevin Martin was quite the move but, unfortunately, the K-Mart era in OKC was short lived.
Without big moves, the Thunder have built through the draft. Going back to Harden, the Thunder have been solid in finding talent. The early part of Jackson's career suggested that the Thunder had wasted a pick on him, but has blossomed into a great player. Drafting Steven Adams last year was a great addition, as he is developing well under Perkins.
Head coach Scott Brooks has accumulated talent. Durant, Westrbrook and Ibaka are the highlights of the team, but the talent coming up has great potential. Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones III received quality minutes toward the end of the season and into the playoffs. Jackson looks to be the starter in place of Sefolosha with veteran Anthony Marrow - whom the Thunder seem to be excited about - backing him up.
As they head into the 2014-2015 season, Oklahoma City drafted Michigan big man Mitch McGary to add some strength down low. This Thunder team is young, but very experienced. Now, it is time to finish the run.
OKC has been so close the last four years. Their biggest problem down the stretch is all the offense runs through Durant. In order to stop relying on this strategy, the recent draftees must come into their own. Adams must be groomed into the starter to replace Perkins, as the latter is on the wrong side of 30. Jackson has to continue to play at a high level now that he is a full time starter. And With Jackson no longer coming off the bench as a sixth man, someone else must step up as that bench scorer.
Luckily for the Thunder, this quiet off-season is nothing to be worried about. They have built their top-seeded teams through the draft in previous years, there is nothing different now. With the right guys in place, this team must take the next step if this is going to be their year, the year they bring a championship to Oklahoma City.
