With Kevin Durant's situation notwithstanding, what is your outlook on Oklahoma City this upcoming season,
@Brett ?
I am surprised I was not already subscribed to this thread.
Assuming Durant has no set backs and the rest of the teams can stay healthy, the Thunder have a good chance to make the Finals. However, it will not be an easy road. The West is brutal and was a much better conference last year. This offseason did nothing to change that.
There are some new faces on the Thunder roster this year in rookie Mitch McGary and free agents Anthony Morrow and Sebastian Telfair. McGary appears to be a future replacement of Nick Collison, but may see some playing time this year. Anthony Morrow could be a very nice addition, as he can be a legitimate three point threat, something the Thunder have been severely lacking. With most of the defense focused on Westbrook and Durant, it should mean Morrow will have open looks. Telfair could be an okay fourth guard option in emergency spots.
The Thunder return their starting lineup minus Thabo Sefolosha and Steven Adams, Nick Collison, Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb, Andre Roberson, and Reggie Jackson. Steven Adams showed improvement throughout the year and will hopefully continue to improve further. If nothing else, he seems to get under everyone's skin and without reacting to their outbursts. Definite plus for the Thunder, negative in everyone else's eyes. Lamb had a few bright moments last year, but was relegated to the end of the bench after Caron Butler was signed. Perry Jones has had a few flashes, but has been even more limited with minutes. Scott Brooks does not play young guys, unless he has no other option, see early part of his coaching career or Steven Adams last year, even then, reluctant.
Andre Roberson could figure into the bench rotation. However, he is is the most likely candidate to take the departed Thabo Sefolosha starting spot. Roberson is already a hound on the defensive side of the ball and a very good rebounder, but he lacks on the offensive end. He is basically a step in replacement for Thabo Sefolosha, except with a lesser salary and could be an upgrade considering how badly Thabo declined last year.
Reggie Jackson has shown enough that he is going to get paid, whether that is by the Thunder remains to be seen. Other than the beginning of the season with Durant is out, he is likely to remain OKC's sixth man.
Lastly, if the Thunder can hold things together relatively well with Durant out, then it may be a small blessing in disguise. Durant has played the most minutes, or very nearly, of any one the past few years. Not having him available will force Brooks to play other guys and give them minutes, something he has failed to do the last few years. The Thunder could have used some variety off the bench, but since few of the guys had played much, Brooks was unwilling to trust them.
And that's saying something, Exum shot better today (3-5 3pt FG) but had 8 turnovers!
Broken foot sucks though. I hope he returns to as good as new because I really like him as a person and I think he's one of the best ambassadors for the league. Not to mention, you know, that he's an amazing player.
He was pretty good here though, and is doing alright in preseason so far, I hope he gets the chance he deserves in the regular season rotation.
