In the last 3 or 4 years The
Oklahoma City Thunder have been title contenders on the backs of their two
superstars, reigning MVP Kevin Durant and All-Star point guard Russell
Westbrook. But this year it won’t be so easy in the beginning without their
best player Kevin Durant who had a fracture in his right foot and is expected
to be out 6-8 weeks. Which is obviously a big loss for a team with championship
aspirations. To lose the League MVP and scoring champion means that every
player on the team has to step up their until Durant gets back.
Some of the key players that’ll have to step
their game up in Durant’s absence in order for The Thunder to have a strong
start are Russell Westbrook, Even though Westbrook had an All-Star season he’ll
have to show people that he can run a team, one way to achieve this is by
trying to get the whole team involved. Don’t get me wrong now that Durant is
injured Westbrook will probably take up most of the scoring for The Thunder.
Another player that will have to step up for the Thunder offensively and
defensively are Serge Ibaka who was second in blocks last season and will be
key in The Thunder’s defense. Ibaka will be leaned on heavily to take some of
the offensive pressure off of Westbrook until Durant returns, other players who
need to contribute while Durant is gone is third year man Jeremy Lamb who
struggled last year to get much going offensively, Kendrick Perkins who mainly
relied on for Defensive purposes but will at least need to contribute a little
offensively. Fourth year man Reggie Jackson will also need to contribute some
scoring and tough defense in order for The Thunder to stay competitive in the
Western Conference until Durant returns. Last of all Free agent signing
sharpshooter Anthony Morrow who can hopefully space the floor for The Thunder
and Rookie Mitch McGary who is mainly known for his defense and energy but can
also chip in a couple points as well.
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| KD(left) and Westbrook(right) |
All these players need to
play well in Durant’s absence in order for The Thunder to do well until Durant
gets back from his injury. I am hoping The Thunder do well this year because
they are one of my favourite teams and are very exciting to watch.
