Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Bold Predictions for Second Half
The upstart Oklahoma City Thunder are in their third year of NBA notoriety. After playoff losses the past two seasons to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, they find themselves as the favorite to emerge from the Western Conference.
After 32 games, the Thunder have a 25-7 record, good for a share of the league lead with the Miami Heat.
After a matchup with Boston on Wednesday night, OKC will have hit the midway point of this shortened NBA season. Here are five bold predictions for their last 33 games and on into the postseason.
Kevin Durant Will Win the Scoring Title
1 of 5Durant is averaging 27.6 points per game, good for third in the league behind Kobe Bryant at 29.0 and LeBron James at 27.9.
Kobe is having a remarkable year, considering he is a 15-year veteran averaging 38.3 minutes per game. His production is predicated on being the focal point of coach Mike Brown's new offense, but with those considerable minutes and two other options in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, Kobe is likely to fall off in the coming weeks.
LeBron is having an MVP caliber season, and if the Heat continue to blow teams out, he won't be able to average 28.0 per game.
Durant is poised to lead the Thunder out of the West. Look for him to get his free-throw production up (7.1 attempts/game for 82.6 percent to 8.7 and 88 percent last season), and to take hold of the lead in route to his third consecutive scoring title.
Thunder Will Win the Northwest Division by 10+ Games
2 of 5OKC has a comfortable 7.5 game lead over the Denver Nuggets in the Northwest division. Closing after that are the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Injury struggles have hurt the followers (Danilo Gallinari, Greg Oden, Michael Beasley) and OKC is a combined 5-1 against divisional competition.
The youth, athleticism and scoring punch of the Thunder is hard for any team in the NBA to match up with, especially if your team is nursing an injury.
Look for the Thunder to capitalize on this big lead and push hard towards the playoffs, when they hope to be playing their best basketball.
Thabo Sefolosha's Return Sparks D
3 of 5The Thunder currently sit at 20th in the league in points allowed, giving up 96.3 a game. They've been without their best defender, Thabo Sefolosha, for 14 of their games.
Considered one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, Sefolosha has been sidelined for different injuries over the past few weeks. Most recently, he visited a foot specialist to seek a second opinion. There is currently no timetable for his return.
When he does return, however, he will alleviate some of the extended minutes Durant and James Harden have been logging. He will give the Thunder an option to lock down the opposing team's best scorer upon his re-insertion into the starting lineup.
There Will Be James Harden Trade Talk Internally
4 of 5This prediction is certain to ruffle the feathers of Thunder faithful. However unpopular it might be, facts are facts when it comes to realistic outcomes.
With more than $34 million committed to Durant and Westbrook next season, it's time to start being realistic about keeping Harden long-term. Throw in $8 million annually invested in Kendrick Perkins over three years, and Harden would have to take a HUGE hometown discount to remain in Oklahoma City.
While any potential rumors of a trade will be kept away from the media, I wouldn't be surprised if management fields potential partners behind closed doors.
There won't be an enticing enough deal to break up a team that is 25-7. But if they line up a potential deal now, it could come to fruition in the next two seasons, especially if Harden wants a pay day the Thunder likely can't provide.
Thunder Will Win the West
5 of 5All the cards are lining up for a Heat-Thunder NBA Finals. Many NBA analysts predicted such an outcome before the season ever started, and with the league's two best records, they might be well on their way to a correct prediction.
Of course, the West will not be won quietly. The defending champion Mavericks won't go away without a fight. The two LA teams will be in the spotlight until they are eliminated. The ever consistent San Antonio Spurs are showing teams during their 11-game win streak that they are not done.
But OKC has shown an ability to beat the big boys this season. While it won't be easy, they have the pieces to represent the West in the finals.
Until then, they'll be happy making history, and winning games.
