No team in the league has more upside than the Oklahoma City Thunder and with the upcoming season many believe that this team will finally reach elite status. Including myself. We all know about Kevin Durant and the superstar that he has become in the league but what about the rest of the team? The Thunder is the youngest team in the league and is comprised of a ton of up and coming superstars. Notable newcomers to the team include rookies Cole Aldrich (Kansas), Tweety Carter (Baylor) and Jerome Dyson (UConn), Morris Peterson (Hornets), and Daequan Cook (Heat). The Thunder have no real notable departures.
I like what the Thunder did in the offseason in getting bigger with center Aldrich. Aldrich is tough and physical and a solid defender when compared to fellow center Nenad Kristic. His ability to score in the NBA will be tested but he will be a viable defensive presence when they play the Lakers, Mavs, and the Spurs. This size was really lacking during the season. Dyson and Carter will have to earn minutes as a rookies while Cook and Peterson are solid players who will come off the bench and can provide tremendous 3-point shooting. A player to watch out for is Serge Ibaka. The 2nd year guy out of the Congo showcased his talents in the playoffs against the Lakers and is poised to have a breakout season.
I think this year the Thunder will put it together behind superstar Durant along with up and coming stars Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Jeff Green. The Thunder has continued to draft well and I fully expect their rookies to pay off this season or in the seasons to come. I like the Thunder to finish 3rd this year behind the Mavs and Lakers. Durant will be the MVP this year and will win the scoring title. Here is how I see the depth chart for the Thunder.
PG- Westbrook, Eric Maynor, Carter
SG- Thabo Sefolosha, Harden, Cook,Dyson
SF- Durant, Peterson
PF- Ibaka, Jeff Green
C- Kristic, Aldrich, Byron Mullens
No comments:
Post a Comment