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Oklahoma City Thunder: A legitimate threat in the West or not?

By Michael Wilson

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Pre-season in the NBA is underway. All the pundits are making their predictions about how this season is going to go for all the teams. My question is simple. Are the Oklahoma City Thunder a legit threat to win the Western Conference?

I am not going to say that the Oklahoma City Thunder is the favorite to win the West because that would be crazy. The Golden State Warriors are the odds on favorite to win the West. Until I see visual proof that the Warriors’ reign in the West is over, I won’t proclaim anybody but the Warriors the West’s favorite.

Whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder are a threat to catch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference is squarely on the shoulders of Russell Westbrook. He’s the straw that stirs the drink in Oklahoma City.

Westbrook is by far the most aggressive point guard in the West. The amount of speed this former MVP has from one end of the court to the other end of the court is second to none. The tenacity in which he takes the ball to the rim is unrivaled in the NBA.

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However, which Russell Westbrook will the Oklahoma City Thunder get in 2018-19?

Westbrook is a ball dominant point guard. That will never change with him, but his usage rate went down last season. Having Carmelo Anthony on the roster last year most likely brought the usage rate down. Now, with Melo in Houston, Russell Westbrook will probably be rated back at number one in usage rate.

In his MVP season of 2016-17, Westbrook dominated 40 percent of the possessions.

Of course, a point guard is going to dominate the ball, it’s how they disperse the offense that can be the problem.

The way Westbrook attacks the rim is so authoritative that other teams try and pack the lane to try and prevent this. However, Westbrook is so good that he gets inside the lane and then dishes out to a wide open Paul George for an uncontested 3-pointer. Due to teams packing the lane to defend Westbrook, Paul George shot 40 percent from the 3-point line.

Let’s not forget about the importance of Paul George either.

Paul George was a player that was acquired via a trade with the Indiana Pacers. Thunder GM, Sam Presti had one season to convince George to stay in OKC. Everybody thought Paul George was heading to Los Angeles to be a Laker.

Nope.

Paul George decided to stay and play with Russell Westbrook. It surprised most of the NBA world. I am convinced that once the rumors of Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers surfaced, that changed the mind of Paul George to stay where he was at.

Paul George is an All-Star caliber player, he’s been on the Olympic Team, and he has playoff experience. George is a quality player make no mistake about that.

George is the type of player that is a great compliment to a player like Westbrook. Paul George doesn’t need to dominate the ball to be effective. He’s a phenomenal spot up shooter, he can lead the fast break when needed, and can take the ball of the dribble to the rim.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder and the type of offense that head coach Billy Donovan runs, George is a great cutter off the ball. It creates opportunities for Paul George to get easy buckets and possibilities to pass the ball to wide open teammates.

Another player that should help the team is the addition of former Atlanta Hawk point guard, Dennis Schroder.

Schroder is a guy who has had his issues with teammates in the past and shooting from the outside. He’s been likened to Rajon Rondo quite a bit. Schroder can come in and relieve Russell Westbrook. Dennis Schroder can come and keep the offense running the way Billy Donovan wants it.

Think about the past point guards who have tried backing up Westbrook. It’s been pretty scary to say the least. Schroder can be a calming influence with that second unit. Schroder can also get Paul George some easy buckets as well with him being a pass first point guard.

Don’t expect Schroder to spend much time on the floor with Russell Westbrook. I would expect Dennis Schroder to be on the floor with big man Steven Adams and exploiting the pick-and-roll possibilities for the Thunder.

At the end of the day, this may be the most stacked Western Conference we have ever seen. There are no easy nights in the West. Houston is going to be hungry for another shot at the Warriors, Utah will be better, and the LeBron is now out in Los Angeles.

Related Story. NBA Pre-Season Takeaways: Luka Doncic hype; Lakers are not great. light

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder get the No. 2 seed?

Yes.

Are they going to have to play the best basketball to get there?

Yes.

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