The Oklahoma City Thunder recently begin to build a brand new, top of the line training and practice complex. The complex will have two full-length practice courts, healthy food and nutritional services, along with physical therapy and medical offices. Is this being done to attract free agents, or to keep their current players there? Either way, it is another positive note for a team most old time NBA fans despise. The Thunder finished in the top ten for seats sold season and ticket revenue generated. Oklahoma City is not New York or LA, but  all world player Kevin Durant loves the organization and management, and has unbelievable fan support.

When it was Ok City’s turn to pick in this draft, it was almost a no brainer. Local hero Blake Griffin was a lock at 1, and the Memphis Grizzlies took Hasheem Thabeet at 2. With the Thunder on the clock and the much heralded Spanish prospect Ricky Rubio still available, it seemed like a no brainer. The Thunder, however, had more immediate needs in mind. Passing on Rubio, the Thunder drafted sharpshooting Arizona two guard James Harden at No. 3 in the NBA Draft. The Thunder were somewhat desperate for a shooting guard and Harden has been compared to a Manu Ginobili type. Harden should be the opening-night off guard for the Thunder next season. The Dallas Mavericks used the No. 24 pick in the 2009 draft on center B.J. Mullens. The Thunder then traded for Mullens, swapping guard Rodrigue Beaubois. Mullens is athletic and poised for a seven footer, but he’s still pretty raw. The Thunder need to find a quality center, and Mullens may fit the bill. It could take a year or two to adjust to the NBA game, but he could end up being a steal if he develops properly under the OKC staff.

Russell Westbrook had a stellar summer league performance, playing in both the east and west leagues. Westbrook and Harden worked very good together, and both filled the stat sheets for the Thunder’s summer league team. Westbrook now has a quality partner along side of him, and his up and down, slashing style will complement the soft touch Harden displays from the outside. With Shaun Livingston backing Westbrook up, the thunder have a versatile, smart, and talented backcourt, which is also extremely youthful.

How good is Kevin Durant? Well, it’s been chronicled in our own way where we project him in the future. Kevin Durant has been more than dominant during Team USA camps this summer and is a lock to make the national team. Durant was described as “head and shoulders” above his competitors, which isn’t anything to sneeze at, as the best players in the country are trying out for the team. Sam Smith of Bulls.com adds the following:

“It’s being whispered now among NBA types because, I believe, under a secret NBA/ESPN provision you are not permitted to say aloud anything that might be interpreted to suggest LeBron James isn’t the best thing to ever happen in anyone’s life. But sitting in the stands in Las Vegas at the USA Basketball mini-camp and hearing NBA coaches and general managers, the gasps have been for Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant. I’ve now heard more than one say Durant could be a better player than James given Durant’s combination of amazing size at about 6-10 and pure shooting stroke. And he’s still 20. The feeling is Durant is on the brink of being a 30 per game scorer. Plus, Durant is a serious worker. The Bulls’ Derrick Rose has become close with Durant and the two have worked out together considerably this summer. Said Rose, who is five days younger than Durant: “KD is great. He’s real talented. I look at him as like a big brother to me even though we’re the same age. He’s been in the league longer. He’s a great talent, 6-10 guy who can dribble, shoot like a guard. He’s going to be a great talent in the league.”

If professional sports writers are making legitimate arguments that you could be considered better than LeBron James, you might have made the right career choice. With Durant’s leadership and the addition of Harden and Mullens, the Thunder should improve on a 23 win season. They should be young enough to run a lot, and talented enough to score a lot of points. It may be too early for them to make the playoffs, as getting 50 wins may be too much to ask. They are likely a starting center and a talented bench away from being true contenders, but Sam Presti has done well by putting all the right pieces in place.

http://newsok.com//article/3395022?custom_click=rss

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090727.html

Share on Facebook