Oklahoma City Thunder 2009-2010 Team Outlook

Oklahoma City Thunder 09-10 NBA season outlook:

The Thunder will look to drastically improve upon their 08-09 season in which they went 23-59 but fared much better as a team when Scott Brooks took over as head coach for P.J Carlisemo on 11/22/08. Kevin Durant thrived under Coach Brooks along with Russell Westbrook who was able to run a quicker paced offense and create plays on his own rather than sticking to a set playbook. Expectations will be high for Durant coming in to this season as he attempts to make his 1^st all star game appearance. The only question mark involving the Thunder is will Westbrook be able to handle PG or is he more of SG, the Thunder passed on Ricky Rubio due to their faith that Westbrook would be able to run the show and also because James Harden looked to be more seasoned coming out of Arizona State. Time will tell if they made the right choice and my bet is that although Harden won’t wow you with Stats, he is just the right type of player to compliment Westbrook and Durant as he is a do it all kind of player ala Jeff Green and pair those four players with Project Rookie Center B.J Mullens and in 3 years you will have a young force to be reckoned with in the western Conference.

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG – Russell Westbrook – Ultra quick and Athletic guard who is a lock down defender and who is able to get to the rim and create opportunities for his teammates. Potential is there for him to blossom into a full fledged PG (recorded a triple double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) but right now is more of a SG. Will look to prove the doubters wrong who thought the Thunder should have drafted Ricky Rubio to play PG and make him the SG.

SG – James Harden – Rookie who was drafted (3^rd overall) to solidify the SG position and one who brings a old school feel to his game but as evident during summer league has a good ways to go on defense, but fits in nicely as a 10ppg-13ppg scorer next to Westbrook and Durant and will also not be asked to do much outside of what the defense gives him. Must work on his flat release on his jumper and look to be more active without the ball.

SF – Kevin Durant – All star expectations are high for this 3^rd year young stud that will look to improve his scoring (25.3ppg) as again he will be the go to guy for this young squad. Will look to improve his passing (2.8apg vs. 3.0tpg) and be more involved on defense. Will have to do more than win scoring titles for this Thunder team to be successful as he has been said to have added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame in order to play down low which will only improve his solid shooting numbers (48%fg , 42%3pt).

PF – Jeff Green – More of a SF than a PF but played solid in the role the past two seasons as a Shaw Marion esque type player who is more an outside 15 ft type player than a banger down low. Will look to improve on his 17ppg and improve his average 45% FG Percentage. Solid shooter and defender (38%3pt and 1.0spg) who compliments Durant with the ability to rebound well for a player with his thin frame (7.0 RPG).

C – Nenad Krstic – Solid Pick up in January as he played his way into the starting center role after being out of the league for the previous season (went to Russia to improve his game after tearing his ACL during the 06-07 season with the NJ Nets). Nenad averaged a respectable (9.7ppg, 1.1 bpg in 25mpg). He is a very good mid range shooter who will look to stretch the defense with his shooting and length when teams double Durant. An average rebounder at best but will look to improve as he will have a full season where he is healthy and knows the system.

 Bench:

F/C - Nick Collison – The do it all type player who started much of the season last year (8ppg, 7rpg in 26mpg). Most of what Collison brings does not show up on the stat sheet (toughness and hustle) but it is a key compliment to offensive stars in Durant and Westbrook. Will look to bring energy and hustle off the bench this season and improve on his career high in FG % (56.8%) and bridge the gaps on the defensive end.

G – Shaun Livingston – Returned last season after the devastating knee injury suffered in 2007 while with the Clippers. Still only 23 yrs old and finally 90% healthy will look to improve on last season’s solid numbers (7.8ppg and 3.0 apg in 23mpg) and also a solid showing in summer league play with his decision making and much improved outside shot. More of a passer and drive the lane player than a shooter but will look to take advantage this season of defenses leave him open. Should play solid minutes off the bench and return to the once promising career he had before his injury.

G – Thabo Sefolosha – He is a Consistent and hard working Defender who was brought over mid season from Chicago and now fits the perfect role of Defense first and Thabo can also score in bunches if needed but must work on his shooting if he is going to be a effective force on the offense end. He will earn quite a bit of minutes with his defense and hustle and will challenge Harden for the starting role in training camp.

G – Kyle Weaver – 2^nd round pick last season who earned time due to Desmond Mason’s injury and who is a superb defender and can hit the open shot if needed. Looks to bring hustle and defense more than scoring which fits perfectly in Scott Brook’s system and also compliments the defense struggles of James Harden well. Will back up Durant, Harden and if needed Westbrook.

G – Kevin Ollie – Veteran journeyman who excels on the defensive end and one who knows how to set up his teammates. He will be veteran insurance in case Livingston has a setback with his knee.

F – Serge Ibaka – 2008 Draft pick who played well in summer league play this season (13.7ppg) and has signed a 2 yr deal. Foul prone on defense but is very athletic and disrupts shots with ease and will earn playing time with his hustle and ability to block shots and score around the basket well. Skinny frame (6’10 220) but long arms and quick feet help him run the floor for easy dunks.

F – D.J White – Promising young forward who missed the first 5 months of his rookie season last year due to a Benign Growth in his jaw. D.J played in 7 games and averaged 8.6ppg and 5rpg. White will look to battle Ibaka and Collison for minutes at the PF spot off the bench. May be sent to the D-league again for game time assessment and will pick up spot minutes in blowouts. Good low post scorer but not a very good shooter and also an average rebounder but above average defender.

C – B.J Mullens – Rookie out of Ohio state who has a lanky frame and who is a project that will receive spot minutes early and one who could be in the rotation as early as January. Looked solid on offense in summer league but has a long way to go on Defense but should be a solid upgrade over past draft picks (Swift and Petro) because of his strong work ethic and length.

C – Etan Thomas – Burly Center who will bring veteran leadership to this young team and will bring toughness in the paint against bigger lineups. Only going to play limited minutes but will be a positive force for Mullens and White to practice against and learn from.

Season Outlook: 33 – 49 11th in the western conference