1. The Thunder are not as ready to contend for a title as many people believe
Make no mistake about it, Kevin Durant has established himself as a top 3 NBA player over the past calendar year. After last year’s scoring title and this summer’s FIBA domination, it is safe to say the Durantula is the future of the NBA. With a solid young supporting cast, anchored by Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, the Thunder went from 23 wins in 2008-09, to 50 wins in 2009-2010, and they put quite a scare into the Lakers in the first round (they were a Pau Gasol miss away from forcing a game 7). However, before we appoint the Thunder heir to the Laker throne in the Western Conference, let’s look at some flaws.
- The Thunder starting five experienced almost a completely injury free 2009-10 campaign. Their starting 5 unit (Westbrook, Durant, Green, Krstic, and Sefolosha) missed a combined 6 games last year, and all of them were missed by Krstic. Don’t expect the injury bug to be as kind to the Thunder this year.
- The Thunder have no threat on the post at all. Not one of their top 3 post players (Collison, Krstic, and Ibaka) averaged over 8 points a game last year. Only Ibaka shows any true defensive presence. The Thunder did draft Cole Aldrich out of Kansas but, as a rookie, he is naturally unproven. To truly contend for a title, the Thunder will eventually have to find at least one truly formidable post player. When was the last time a team won or even truly contended for a title without a formidable post game?
- How will the Thunder react to having expectations this year? Last year they had nothing to lose coming in after 23 wins the year before. Once they got to the first round against the defending world champions, they had nothing to lose. I am curious to see how they react to their first true season with expectations. How will they react to the pressure of potentially being favored in a first round series?
With all of this being said, the Thunder should still win between 45-50 games this season. However, they are still a couple of years away from being a true contender for a championship.
2. Al Jefferson is going to have a breakout, all pro year with the Utah Jazz
While Jefferson’s numbers the last three years in Minnesota have been nothing to sneeze at, accruing 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game, Jefferson has been playing in basketball futility in Minnesota, battling seasons with 60 plus losses the last three years. However, this year is different for Mr. Jefferson. He is now playing along side, arguably the best point guard in the game, Deron Williams. This pairing bodes well for a statistical incline. Combine this with playing on a perennial playoff contender, Jefferson is due for a breakout, put-me-on-the-map performance for the 20010-10 season. I equate his current situation to when Pau Gasol left Memphis to come to the Lakers. This instantly made Gasol more relevant, all around better player. This season, Jefferson will make his first all star team, and he will crack the All NBA third team.
3. LeBron James will have one of the most statistically impressive seasons in NBA history, along with winning his third straight MVP Award.
With all of the backlash LeBron has received this summer over his decision to take his talents to South Beach, people seem to have forgotten James is a great player in the prime of his career. For the first time, we may see LeBron playing with a chip on his shoulder because of all the negative comments made this summer by the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley. Naturally, his scoring numbers will probably dip a little bit playing along side other stars like Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, but his all around statistics will improve. I expect this season to be the closest thing we will see to a player averaging a triple double since Oscar Robertson did in 1961-62. If King James puts up the numbers, I think he will win his third straight MVP award, possibly unanimously. Don’t get too excited Heat fans; they will lose to the Lakers in seven games in the finals.
Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.
