OKC Thunder: Once Called a Mediocre... Now a Playoff Contender

Oklahoma City Thunder? Was that the team that went on a slump on the 2008-09 season? Was that the team with the worst record on their division? Yes. Those words frustratingly (if you're a Thunder fan) haunts your mind whenever you hear those. Now, forget that mediocre season aside and look on to the present OKC Thunder team. Sporting with their what-so-called "defensive mentality" and the "chemistry" they've done the last summer, the Thunder, once hoping to win at least 30 wins last season, just achieved that milestone with a 2nd half of the season remaining. Impressive or surprising? I'd say those two describes on this team, aiming for their first playoff spot after a season in OKC.

Now how did the Thunder achieve this surprising and impressive run? First off, the "D". As what Coach Scott Brooks, one of the prospects in the "Coach of The Year" award, said, he was really emphasizing defensive mentality on this team after that last season's poor performance. Imagine, from 103.1 (23rd of 30 teams) last season, they went to a 95.4 (5th of 30 teams) in opponent's score allowed. Second, the "chemistry". This term was the one they lack this season since most of their players are new with the addition of Russell Westbrook and remember that Brooks opted to start Westbrook than Watson since he believes on Westbrook's potential and that price was paid off. Though a turnover-prone monster, Westbrook and the team's chemistry really helped the cause of Thunder. Third was the "Durant Mania" which was the most important key on how did the Thunder managed to get this run. Imagine, KD's stats this season went up from scoring, rebounding and assists. Though KD was an under-rated MVP candidate, as what analysts say, KD was nevertheless the leader and the heart of this team. Without this guy, probably the Thunder might repeat their mediocrity 2008-09 season. Adding to KD and the Thunder's success was his fellow starters Westbrook and Green who helped him carry the scoring load for this team.

Though this team still has flaws from some of their close games which turned to "L's", the Thunder made their critics abashed. You can expect Thunder to be a championship-caliber team for the future but for now, keep those championship expectations for this team.