Why Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Form the Best 1-2 Punch in the NBA

The year was 2007. The Oklahoma City Thunder were the Seattle Sonics, and they had the second pick in the NBA draft. Portland had the first pick, and they were picking between Kevin Durant of Texas and Greg Oden of Ohio State.

Portland selected Oden. Seattle selected Durant, and they got a two-time scoring champion and MVP candidate. Portland got a major bust who gets injured every year and now isn't even with the team. However, even with Durant, the Sonics finished 20-62, and they got the fourth pick in the draft.

They surprised most people by taking Russell Westbrook, a point guard out of UCLA. However, with Westbrook and Durant, OKC has made lots of thunder.

The two haven't even played four full seasons together, and they've already made three playoff appearances. Durant is an MVP candidate this year, and Westbrook has put up solid numbers (23.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG) as well as playing good defense.

Oklahoma City also has Serge Ibaka, James Harden, Derek Fisher and plenty of other capable players. However, it's becoming obvious that Durant and Westbrook have catapulted OKC to where they are.

Durant averages 28 PPG and eight RPG, and it's clear that he is a great shooter, a good rebounder and a guy who can score in any way at any time. On an off-night, he scores in the low 20s. 

Game 1 of this year's first-round series against Dallas was an example. Durant had 23 points late in the game, and he wasn't shooting well. Dallas was up 98-97, about five seconds remained and Durant had the ball on the right wing.

With Shawn Marion in his face, Durant knew he couldn't get a good shot off from where he was. So, he dribbled over to the free-throw line, jumped and let go of the ball. The ball bounced off the rim and the backboard, but it dropped in.

While Durant might not be known for his defense, Westbrook is a great defender. In that same Game 1, Jason Terry was having his way. He was getting the shots he wanted, and he had 20 points in three quarters. So, Westbrook was assigned to guard Terry and follow him wherever he went.

Terry got one shot off, and he didn't score in the fourth quarter.

Westbrook can also drive and dish. He has put up several double/triple-doubles, and while he usually won't take the last shot, he is the guy who keeps OKC in the game (if they're losing) to set Durant up for that final shot.

Right now, people regard LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the best one-two punch in the NBA. LeBron's numbers are similar to Durant's, and he also plays spectacular defense. Wade is a good defender and a good scorer, but in my opinion, Westbrook is better than Wade.

LeBron and D-Wade gel together pretty well, but without one of the two playing, the team holds up fine. If Westbrook sits out five minutes, the team will be fine. But if he misses the whole game, Derek Fisher will be worn out, the Thunder won't be hustling anymore and the result will probably be a loss.

If Durant sat out, Oklahoma City wouldn't have a clutch shooter, and they would have to look elsewhere for a clutch shot, a run-stopping shot or a crowd-energizing shot. Unless James Harden played amazingly (like he did in Game 4), the Thunder would be toast against a team like San Antonio or Miami.

Durant and Westbrook gel together well. Westbrook knows where Durant will be if he wants to find him for a jumper or layup. They work together very well on fast breaks, often finishing with thunderous dunks.

Westbrook played terribly on offense in Game 4, and James Harden stepped up with 29 points, helping OKC beat Dallas and complete the series sweep. However, Westbrook played great defense, which helped the Thunder stay in the game (they trailed by 13) and pull out a W.

KD and Westbrook have catapulted this team from cellar-dwellar to playoff menace. OKC swept the defending champions out of the playoffs, and when Durant was on, OKC blew out the Mavs instead of eking out a win. 

Simply put, both of these players are key to OKC. And when they're put together, they form the best one-two punch in the NBA.