Health has undercut each of their last three seasons. Still, the biggest challenge for the Thunder hasn't been the opposition. As good as the Thunder are, they're no sure bet to top the Spurs, Golden State Warriors, or Clippers in a playoff round, let alone teams like the Rockets and Grizzlies.
A trip through the West is fraught with peril. So again, it's really championship or bust for the Thunder. Durant has plenty of reasons to stick around on a one-year deal, but plans could change of the Thunder somehow falter. Barring injuries, the Thunder have everything they need to finally lift the Larry O'Brien trophy.īasketball aside, there's also the pesky matter of Durant's impending free agency. They have two of the league's best players and an impressive supporting cast to boot. That has been the modus operandi for the Thunder since their Cinderella run to the Finals in 2012. It's championship or bust for the Thunder. It's on Ibaka to hold up his end of the bargain. The offense will always remain strong with Westbrook and Durant on the roster. Ibaka ranked behind players like Evan Turner and Marvin Williams in defensive rebounding percentage last season, while fairing rather poorly in contested rebounding percentage as well. Shot-blocking will never be an issue for Ibaka, but in order to take the next step, the Congolese forward needs to shore up his rebounding. Ibaka will be counted upon to make up for Kanter's defensive shortcomings and to play center if the Thunder go small with Durant at the four. Ibaka is already a world-class defender, but he'll need to inch closer towards Defensive Player of the Year territory in order to keep the Thunder's defense afloat. The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks all feature all-star worthy bigs. In order to run the gauntlet, the Thunder will need a defensively sound frontcourt. Smallball might be taking the league by storm, but bigs are still alive and healthy in the West. That clears the runway for the Slim Reaper to pick up where he left off: Durant led the league in points scored in every season between 20.ĭurant is back, and the league is on notice. A pesky foot injury held Durant to just 27 games last season, but the league's best scorer says that his injury woes are behind him.
0 kommentar(er)
