NBA Playoffs 2012: Oklahoma City Will Begin Dynasty With NBA Title This Year

They're ready.

They have the star power. They've been the Western Conference's best team all season long. They suffered a heartbreaking defeat in last year's playoffs. They're hungry, and they know what it takes to win.

This year, the dynasty begins for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

I'm not sure if there is another team that has been as consistently excellent from the beginning of the season until now as the Thunder have been.

It starts with the big two, Kevin Durant (27.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG) and Russell Westbrook (24.2 PPG, 5.4 APG), two of the top five scorers in the NBA this year.

Add in James Harden (16.7 PPG) off the bench—in the midst of a career year himself—and there is little question the Thunder have the offensive weapons to hang with anyone.

But the Thunder aren't a one-dimensional, score-happy team. They've improved defensively, led by the efforts of Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison on the block.

Plus, the addition of Derek Fisher gives them a veteran presence (and a backup point guard) that can provide leadership and experience.

They are young, they play with a killer instinct and they have the talent to win every game they play. They truly are without peer in the Western Conference, and they are ready to compete with the big boys in the East—the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.

How much fun would a Thunder vs. Heat Finals be? The pace would be incredible.

This Thunder team looks ready to become a dynasty, and perhaps set up the first legitimate cross-conference rivalry with either of those teams since the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics dominated the 1980s.

And I for one am excited to watch it begin this year.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.