NBA Predictions 2011: How the Season Will Play out for Oklahoma City Thunder

After the best season in their short history last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have big expectations resting on their young shoulders. The fans expect this team to continue to improve, which will be difficult considering it was just a few wins away from the NBA Finals.

The team has a young core that should keep it among the NBA's elite for many years to come. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and James Harden are the basis for a potential dynasty.

Here's what the fans can expect from this team for the 2011-12 season.

The Benefit of Youth

The Thunder have just two players who have hit the big 30. None of those players are starters.

Add to that the fact that the Thunder will enter the season as one of the healthiest teams in the NBA. Kendrick Perkins was the only player last year that struggled to come back from injury. The extended time off due to the lockout should have done him a world of good.

Due to their youth and health, the Thunder should be primed for the shorter NBA season. They'll be able to run more than other team and have more energy, which will translate to more wins.

The Thunder will get very close to winning 50 games, which is the equivalent of winning about 62 games in a regular NBA season.

More All-Star Appearances and Near Ones

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will make another All-Star Game for the Western squad. Both will be in the top 15 in the league in scoring. Durant will improve on his rebounding numbers, while Westbrook will improve his assist-to-turnover ratio.

The NBA world will also come to realize just how good Serge Ibaka can be. He won't make an All-Star appearance, but he'll be much closer to one than people expected. He'll lead the league in blocked shots, average close to a double-double and make the Thunder defense a force to be reckoned with.

Perkins Will Return to His Former Days of Glory

A few years back, Kendrick Perkins was the best defensive center in the league not named Dwight Howard. He will be once again.

Perkins has had the lockout to get completely healthy, and that will help him to return to past form. He'll team with the high-flying Ibaka to create one of the best defensive frontcourts in the NBA.

His ability to alter shots and protect the rim will be huge for the Thunder.

End-of-the-Year Honors

The end-of-the-year honors won't stop this season. Russell Westbrook will again be named All-NBA Second Team. He'll average around 22 points and nine assists per game. He'll also average at least seven rebounds per game and have multiple triple-doubles.

Serge Ibaka will make the All-NBA Defensive First Team. He'll average around 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots per game.

James Harden will just barely be on the outside looking in as far as these honors go. He'll average 15 points and four assists per game. Also, his three-point percentage will continue to rise.

Kevin Durant will obviously have the best year of all. He'll average 28 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. He'll be named All-NBA First Team and will win a third straight league scoring title.

But most impressively, he'll be the MVP of the league. How many of you have noticed that nearly every picture in this slideshow has had Durant in it? That's because he's the key. He will lead this team to a great season and win an MVP for himself in the process.

Postseason

The postseason will begin well for the Thunder. They'll get the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and will easily dispatch their first two opponents. During these series, Durant will average over 30 points per game and Westbrook will have at least one triple-double.

In the conference finals, the Thunder will face a more experienced team much like it did last year against the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder, a year older and better, will put up a stronger fight this time but will ultimately lose in seven games.

However, it will be another step in the right direction for a team destined to win multiple championships.