NBA: Distinguishing The 2014-15 Contenders And Pretenders

Oct 14, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard

(0) high-fives guard

(11) against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder – Contenders

I keep saying every NBA season that it will finally be the Thunder’s year. This season may finally be it. Kevin Durant will indeed miss the first month or so of the season, but Russell Westbrook will keep this team above water during that time. One move they made this offseason that intrigued me was the addition of sharpshooter Anthony Morrow. Morrow, one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, and replaces Thabo Sefolosha at shooting guard. This team needed more shots and got just that.

When Durant, Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka are all on the court and healthy, this is the best team in the NBA. The Spurs are now starting to show some age problems with a few injuries this offseason and with James changing teams once again, the Thunder may be the best in basketball. With Durant’s contract being up in two years, this year is crucial if they want to keep him. An NBA Championship is a must and would help lure him back in Oklahoma City. And that’s definitely a possibility this season.

PROJECTED STARTERS (with 2013-14 NBA statistics)

PG: Russell Westbrook — 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists a game
SG: Anthony Morrow — 8.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists a game
SF: Kevin Durant — 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game
PF: Serge Ibaka — 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks a game
C: Kendrick Perkins — 3.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists a game