NBA Predictions 2011: Oklahoma City Thunder Are a Lock to Win Western Conference

Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on a mission to reach the NBA Finals this season, and no team in the Western Conference is going to be able to stop them.

Having lost to the eventual-champion Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Western Conference Finals last season, the Thunder are determined to get to the next level after coming so close to the playoff's final stage.

Not only are the Thunder stocked with young talent, but they also create matchup nightmares for every team in the league.

No team in the NBA can say they match up well with the Thunder, and that's a huge advantage for OKC head coach Scott Brooks.

The Thunder have strength and defense in the paint, with a slimmed-down Kendrick Perkins, who came into camp in good shape, at center; forward Serge Ibaka, who is becoming a blocked-shot master; and forward Nick Collison, who is an underrated player and brings a bit of everything, including leadership, to OKC.

Perkins and Ibaka are capable of defending any frontcourt tandem in the West, and with the Mavericks' losing center Tyson Chandler to free agency, the task of beating them in the paint has become easier.

OKC's bench is also strong and has the needed blend of players who can defend well and guys who can provide offensive sparks.

Eric Maynor is one of the best pure point-guard backups in the NBA and also can provide adequate scoring off the bench.

Shooting guard James Harden may come off the bench again this season and play the Jason Terry role for the Thunder. (Terry provides an offensive spark for the Mavericks as a tremendous outside shooter and someone who gives energy to his team as the sixth man.)

Harden is good enough to start, but he has the potential to be the sixth man of the year off the bench and is best suited for this role.

The best thing going for the Thunder is that they have Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook, who give the team two superstar scorers who can each take over games when the other is having an off night.

Very few teams—maybe only the Miami Heat—have two players who can score 25-plus points every night and carry the team to victory.

Westbrook's 2011 playoff performances were often criticized, but he will only use that as motivation to prove that he's capable of being an elite player who can lead a championship team.

It's so tough to defend a team like the Thunder that has two superstars to whom defenses must pay attention at all times.

Not only that, when Durant and Westbrook drive to the basket, OKC has several quality outside shooters—like Harden, Daequan Cook and Thabo Sefolosha—who can knock down open three-pointers.

The Thunder literally have everything you need to win an NBA championship: They have superstars capable of winning games, they have a deep and talented bench, they have young talent, and in Perkins they have a veteran leader with previous championship experience.

Most importantly, however, with Durant, the Thunder have a determined superstar unlike any other. Not many big-time stars in sports are as humble as Durant, and he is able to focus on basketball and not get caught up in all the drama that comes with being an NBA star.

He dominated the lockout months in the summer by leading several scrimmages and street games while having time to improve his post game and get stronger.

Durant is ready to become the best player in the NBA and take the torch from Kobe Bryant as the league's most feared player. Not only will Durant win his third-straight league scoring title, but he will win the NBA MVP, as well.

The Oklahoma City Thunder dynasty is about to begin, and it will be fun to watch it unfold this season.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report

Follow @NicholasGoss35