NBA 2009 Season Prediction: Oklahoma City

I apologize for the lateness of this article, my second installment in my 2009 NBA Prediction series. Computer problems have plagued my available times to write. I am back now, along with my articles.

This second installment deals with the formerly known Seattle Supersonics, who this past summer, successfully relocated to Oklahoma City, OK. There is no definite nickname in place for this team at present.

When predicting how a team might fare in a season, one must look at said team's roster, draft choices in previous years, and the division that said team plays in.

It has been rumored that Oklahoma City will play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference, along with New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and Memphis. Aside from the Grizzlies, this division can be considered one of the toughest in the league, if not the toughest. With the Grizzlies' acquisition of O.J. Mayo, the team has new life breathed into them, and the matchups throughout the season, of Memphis vs OKC, will be very interesting to watch, these two teams will most likely finish No. 5 and No. 6 in the division.

We now must look at the draft choices of this franchise in recent years. In the 2008 NBA Draft, Seattle selected UCLA Guard Russell Westbrook with the 4th pick, Spaniard Serge Ibaka with the 24th pick, California Center DeVon Hardin with the 50th pick, and Kansas Center Sasha Kaun with the 56th pick.

Last year, the Supersonics selected Texas Guard/Forward Kevin Durant with the 2nd pick, and Georgetown Forward Jeff Green with the 5th pick.

Looking at just the three best picks, Durant, Westbrook, and Green, the talent level on the team greatly increased. The Sonics also have veteran F/C in Kansas' Nick Collison, who brings leadership and experience.

Oklahoma City has also just traded for Desmond Mason, Joe Smith, and Kyle Weaver. Mason and Smith bring veteran experience, and leadership to the team, while Weaver, a rookie out of Washington State, brings more spark and raw talent to the team. However, Oklahoma City had to let go their best point guard in Luke Ridnour, and one of their few vetrans in Adrian Griffin. If they could've made the trade without letting Ridnour go, the franchise would be in much better shape. Here is my predicting starting lineup for OKC.

Starting Lineup:

PG: Russel Westbrook

Note: Even though he is only a rookie, Westbrook has Earl Watson beat in so many categories, that Watson would learn from Westbrook rather than the other way.

SG: Desmond Mason

SF: Kevin Durant

PF: Joe Smith

C: Nick Collison

Note: This roster is loaded with centers, although most of them, except for Robert Swift, are untested. Collison is listed as a F/C, and needing Smith to play PF is vital to bring leadership, experience, and knowledge to the team.

Second Team:

PG: Earl Watson

SG: Kyle Weaver

SF: Damien Wilkins

PF: Jeff Green

C: Robert Swift

Other Notable Players

Donyell Marshall: F, 14 years of experience, brings veteran leadership to tea

Prediction:

OKC, will not make the playoffs this season, and will struggle to keep out of last place in whatever division they are put in. Although this team does have a package of veteran leadership, and young talent, it will not be enough to succeed in the extremely difficult Western Conference. Also, the relocation will have an affect on the team. Every player starts out the same this season -- it will be their first season playing in Oklahoma City. After maybe two or three more years, expect this team to be playoff contenders. This team has not played together long enough to succeed.