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Oklahoma City Thunder 2014-15 Preview: Is This Finally The Year?

May 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward

Kevin Durant

(35) reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 122-105. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

As we continue our NBA Preview series, we take a closer look at the Oklahoma City Thunder

More from Northwest

Oklahoma City Thunder 2013-14 record: 59-23, 1st in the Northwest, 2nd in the Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder 2013-14 MVP: Kevin Durant

Three Things I Think I Know About The Oklahoma City Thunder…

  1. Not having Durant for 6-8 weeks will hurt the Oklahoma City Thunder, but not as bad as you might think. OKC has the talent to manage without their best player. Westbrook, Ibaka and Steven Adams should be able to shoulder the load, so that when the reigning MVP returns they can compete for the best record in the NBA.
  2. Russell Westbrook will become a better decision maker. Westbrook might be the NBA’s most talented point guard, but he hurts his team with his sometimes erratic decisions. Look for the absence of Durant to benefit Westbrook’s decision making.
  3. The Oklahoma City Thunder will battle the Spurs for the right to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. As long as injuries don’t play a factor this time, expect a solid 7 game series in which the Thunder should advance.

Key Additions:

Key Losses:

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be a playoff team if…

They avoid serious injuries. Losing Durant for 6-8 weeks to a Jones Fracture is bad, but it’s better than a serious knee injury like the one that Westbrook had. If the Thunder can avoid serious injuries, and be at full strength come playoff time, then not only are they a playoff team but also an NBA Finals favorite.

Team Strengths:

Youth – the Thunder have a nice core of Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, and all three of them are 26 or younger. As long as they stay together and get quality talent around them, then the Thunder should be a title contender for the next several years.

Team Weaknesses

Bench production – Outside of Reggie Jackson, the Thunder lacked a quality player who could come off the bench and get points. Derek Fisher had games where he scored regularly, as did a few others, but ultimately they all lacked consistency. This season they have more options including Mitch McGary, who could steal some minutes from Perkins. Look for the Thunder to be in the top-10 in bench points.

2014-15 Oklahoma City Thunder MVP will be…

Kevin Durant– Even with him missing the first 6-8 weeks of the season, it’s impossible to bet against the reigning MVP. He should have another great season worthy of an MVP award, but missing the first part of the season may cost him that award.

Season Defining Question:

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder get to the Finals?

They have the talent to win the championship but it seems something derails this team, whether it’s Westbrook’s knee injury or Ibaka’s calf injury, something has cost this team a championship shot. This season, if they stay healthy in the playoffs, there are no excuses for not making it to the Finals.

Best Case Scenario:

62-20

The Thunder survive without Durant thanks to Westbrook, and then once he comes back OKC goes on a rampage showing the NBA just how good their big-3 is.

Worst Case Scenario:

50-32

The Durant injury hurts the team, and once he comes back OKC is unable to catch the Spurs, Clippers and other top Western Conference teams and they’re are forced out of homecourt advantage come playoff time.

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