NBA Trades: 10 Bold Predictions for Oklahoma City Thunder with Kendrick Perkins
The Oklahoma City Thunder were in desperate need of a defensive, physical center and they acquired two before the trade deadline: Kendrick Perkins from the Boston Celtics and Nazr Mohammed from the Charlotte Bobcats.
With the Thunder's most glaring weakness fixed, how far could they advance in the 2011 NBA playoffs? They could certainly win the Western Conference, and win the Finals too.
They have played the Lakers tough twice, although losing both times, and have beaten the Mavericks. Oklahoma City has also beaten the Boston Celtics on the road without Kevin Durant.
When the Thunder establish a team chemistry similar to what they had before the trade deadline, there will be no stopping them.
The Thunder are ready to take the next step as a franchise. Here are ten bold predictions for the Western Conference's most talented team.
Kendrick Perkins Will Make the Thunder a Top 10 Defensive Team
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Kendrick Perkins will make the Thunder defense as good or better than it was last season. People forget that Oklahoma City was a solid defensive team last season, largely in part to Durant's scoring, and its lackluster defense this season.
This season, the Thunder are in the bottom half of the league in most defensive categories, but Perkins will help immediately in many areas.
Perkins will give the Thunder a shot blocking presence they've lacked for so long, and he will bring the defensive intelligence of the Celtics to the young Thunder players.
Perkins' championship-level defense will rub off on the younger players, especially forward Serge Ibaka, who is becoming a defensive force himself.
James Harden Will Become a Consistent Player with More Playing Time
2 of 10The third overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, James Harden is a great talent who should become a more consistent player as he sees more action this season.
Harden has been an inconsistent shooter in his short NBA career, but he is starting to find other ways to earn minutes when his offense is struggling.
He is becoming an above average perimeter defender, and Sunday vs. the Lakers, Harden played exceptional defense on Kobe Bryant.
Thunder head coach Scott Brooks told James his playing-time will increase after the trade, now it's his time to prove to his coach how good he really is.
Serge Ibaka Will Become the Full-Time Starting Power Forward
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Serge Ibaka will become the Thunder's starting power forward, a position he won't give up as long as he's in OKC.
Thunder veteran Nick Collison is a candidate for the starting power forward job, but he is most effective coming off the bench.
Ibaka is an incredibly athletic player, and is becoming a great shot-blocker.
His athleticism is perfect for the Thunder's high-octance offense, as he runs the floor better than most big men in the league.
Ibaka was among the biggest winners of the trade deadline as he will become the team's permanent starter, and a huge factor in the future success of the franchise.
Kevin Durant Will Win the NBA MVP Award
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Kevin Durant was thought to be the clear winner in the preseason predictions for NBA MVP in 2011. But with the emergence of Derrick Rose as an elite player, Durant is playing catchup in the race for MVP.
Durant however, will prove he is the player most crucial to his team's success by carrying the scoring load and becoming a better defensive player.
Durant has shown more emotion and passion this year than in previous seasons. He is becoming a real leader and has managed to lead the NBA in scoring again while getting his teammates more opportunities on offense.
Kevin Durant will lead the Thunder past the Lakers in the standings, and win the MVP award.
Russell Westbrook Becomes the Best Point Guard in the West
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Move over Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook is about to become the Western Conference's best point guard.
Even if Deron Williams was still in Utah, Westbrook would still be the top playmaker out west.
Westbrook is not only a great passer, his rebounding skills are tremendous too. He's the top rebounder among point guards, and a great scorer as well.
His partnership with Kevin Durant is the NBA's best duo.
Westbrook is a passionate and exciting player, who is ready to become a superstar and perennial All-Star.
The Thunder Will Win the Western Conference
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The Thunder would have beaten the Lakers in last year's Western Conference first round, but they lacked a real center.
With the experience of playing a championship team in the playoffs and having a defensive center in Kendrick Perkins, the Thunder will now reach the next level—the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be an unstoppable duo in the playoffs, and Ibaka and Perkins will be a pillar of defense in the paint.
The Thunder is a young and hungry team that will not be stopped by Dallas, Los Angeles, or San Antonio.
Kobe Bryant said that Durant and Westbrook are the rare duo who are young but want to win more than anything. High praise from the game's best player.
Oklahoma City is ready to take the torch from the Lakers and become the West's best.
Kendrick Perkins Will Re-Sign with Oklahoma City
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Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said before he acquired Perkins from Boston that he would have made a run to sign the free-agent to be this summer.
Perkins is exactly what the Thunder have needed—a real physical force in the paint who accepts his role as defender first and scorer last.
These players are rare to find. Many players today get frustrated when their offense isn't a factor, but Perkins knows he best helps the team by blocking shots and grabbing rebounds.
Perkins will re-sign with the Thunder because they are the team of the future—and a team with lots of cap room this summer.
Thabo Sefolosha's Defense Will Help the Thunder Beat the Lakers in the Playoffs
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Thabo Sefolosha is an exceptional defender, and his defense vs. Kobe in the playoffs will help the Thunder win the Western Conference.
As it stands now, OKC would meet the Lakers in the Western finals—defense will be pivotal for the Thunder.
Sefolosha's defensive talents earned him recognition on the NBA's All-Defensive second team last year. This season it can book the Thunder's ticket to the NBA Finals.
The player that beats the Thunder every game he plays them is Kobe. No other Laker stands in the way of OKC, especially with Mohammed and Perkins in the middle.
Thabo will limit Kobe's effectiveness in the playoffs, and in doing so, help the Thunder win the West.
Nate Robinson Will Win the Thunder a 2011 Playoff Game
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Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told Nate Robinson last year that he would win them a playoff game.
Robinson did, delivering in Game 5 of the NBA Finals vs. the Lakers with Glen Davis.
Robinson's instant offense and long-range shooting can provide a much needed spark off the bench. Nate is also a decent passer, which was a pleasant surprise for Celtics fans who hadn't seen him play that much before coming to Boston.
Robinson is a good offensive player, and his great leaping ability helps him be a pretty good defender too, despite being the smallest guy on the court.
Nate will win the Thunder a playoff game. There will be one night when Durant and Westbrook don't have it—and Nate will come to the rescue.
The OKC Thunder Will Win the NBA Finals
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Sure, 2011 may be a bit early for the Thunder's first championship in Oklahoma City—it's just their third season in franchise history.
But with two solid defensive centers, a superstar point guard and forward, plus a deep and talented bench, the Thunder will win the NBA Finals this season.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are ready to lead OKC past the Lakers, Spurs, or anyone else in the West that stands in their way.
The Thunder has already beaten Chicago, Boston (without Durant) and Orlando—and they lost to Miami in a close game. They've proven they can beat the East's best as well.
Oklahoma City is ready to rule the NBA, starting this season.
