DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

OKLA THELINEUP HOMACITY THUNDERPRE VIEW2010-2011

3 A Look Back at Last Season Remember last year? Yeah, it was good. So let’s refresh some of the Thunder’s overall team accomplishments. Advanced stats included.

4 Great Expectations in Thunderland The catch-word in 2010 is expectations for the Thunder. Can they live up to the hype? By ROYCE YOUNG

9 2010-11 Roster and Player Capsules Last season’s stats, projected stats for this season and a few thoughts on the upcoming year for each player on the Thunder roster

12 View From the Other Side A look at the Thunder from an outside perspective. Is this team really that fun and exciting, or are we just wrapped up in them? By ROB MAHONEY

14 Setting the Bar, Shooting Higher What defines success for this season for the Thunder? Can we even accurately measure that? By ROYCE YOUNG

16 Where the Thunder Will Finish A completely accurate prediction of how the season will play out for the Thunder

19 Beyond Fifty The Thunder won 50 games last season. Can it happen again? By PATRICK JAMES

22 Learning From Turkey What can we take from KD’s stellar performance in Turkey? It would appear, a lot

24 Four Questions, Twelve Answers SAME FACES, NEW PLACE? The Thunder hope to meet the Lakers again Who’s starting at in March? Can KD win this season, just not in the first round MVP? These are a few things DT’s panel of experts try and answer DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Looking Back at 2009-10

To know the future, you must first know the past. Or some crap like that.

The 2009-10 campaign for the Thunder was just about as magical as it gets. Not only did the team improve 27 games to hit the 50-win plateau, but became the NBA’s youngest ever scoring champion, finished second in the MVP voting and his team nearly upset the in the opening round of the playoffs.

On top of that, was named Coach of the Year, Durant signed a big extension to keep him in for like 50 years and players like , Serge Ibaka and showed off a little of just how dynamic and electric they can be.

The Thunder was built mostly around a swarming, attacking, ball-hawking defensive that pressured opponents into taking bad shots late in the clock. was the key to it, as he was named second-team All-Defense. But on top of that was the improvement of Durant on that end of the floor along with , Ibaka and Westbrook all getting better as the season went along.

2009-10 Important Final Statistics Record: 50-32, fourth in the Northwest Division, eighth in the West Home: 27-14 Away: 23-18 Points Per Game: 101.5 (14th) Opponent Points Per Game: 98.0 (11th)

Attendance: 738,149 (12th) Pace: 93.1 (12th) Offensive Rating: 108.3 (12th) Defensive Rating: 104.6 (9th)

Opponent FG%: 44.8 (5th) Rebounds Per Game: 43.5 (3rd)

SRS: 3.55 (9th) Blocks Per Game: 5.9 (1st)

The Thunder struggled on the offensive end for most of the season, but really cranked things up toward the end of the season. They were right in the middle in terms of pace and for the most part, only ran when the opportunity presented itself. Last year, OKC was a well-rounded bunch that performed extremely well on one end and serviceable enough on the other. Statistically not the best team, but good enough for 50 wins.

3 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Great expectations in Thunderland

Because of last season’s success and the Summer of Kevin, the stakes have been raised in Oklahoma City. Can the team live up to the hype and deliver an award-winning performance?

BY ROYCE YOUNG | Photograph by Daniel Smith

HATE going into movies with expectations. In a way, your mind can be made up about I a flick before you see it based on your friend raving about it or bashing it down. How can I possibly come out of National Treasure 2 and say I liked it if three of my friends ripped it to shreds the day before?

Not because I'm afraid to like something my friends don't, but more so that I'm seeing the movie already knowing that people of similar taste as me hated it. So that movie better be really good to impress me because I've got some serious prejudice heading in.

* * * I remember how high my hopes were for Indiana Jones 4. Like I don't know if I've ever been so excited for a movie. Actually, I don't know if I've ever been so excited for anything. My favorite movie character back on screen after over 20 years off? Yes. Please.

Harrison Ford was back and looked great in the previews. Steven Spielberg preached for months about how he directed this one with the fans in mind. George Lucas went through screenplay after screenplay looking for the perfect script.

Everything was coming together for a serious ROAR OF THUNDER Expectations aren’t just excellent movie. And I couldn't wait. high for the Thunder. They’re probably even higher for their star. 4 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Like a huge nerd with no life, I saw it at Of course the movie was stellar and I left midnight. I sat through two hours, didn't with a great taste. say a word to anyone and then the credits came up. And something unexpected And here's where I start bringing this happened. home. Last season for the Thunder was O Brother Where Art Thou. In fact, it may It sucked. have been something more like The Social Network, a movie that I fully expected to How could it be? How could a movie with be bored with that turned out to be the caliber of talent surrounding it be bad? completely fantastic. But the is, I figured Indiana Jones 4 could be ancient there weren't expectations for anything scrapbooking and I'd love it. But it just and when the team did what it did, it wasn't good. And I was devastated. couldn't have been more fun. After 35 wins, it really was all gravy. Later that summer another movie I was absolutely certain would be good was Most felt as long as 2009-10 was a step released. I had equally high hopes and forward, they'd be happy. And instead, actually, these may have been a little the team won 50 games, Kevin Durant higher because this director didn't really won the scoring title, Scott Brooks won have any blemishes on his resume unlike Coach of the Year, Russell Westbrook George Lucas who tried to ruin my potentially started making The Leap, the childhood a few years earlier with Jar Jar team went to the playoffs and they Binks. Based on a few early reviews, the actually won a couple games. For last hype from a key actor's death, the cast season, there's really no accurate and the awesome looking previews, I was comparison. It was a thrill run unlike any convinced The Dark Knight would be other we'll really experience ever again. It awesome. I wasn't even a bit gun shy was a blank canvas and by the end of with what happened with Indy 4. April, we were looking at the Mona Lisa.

In the end, for fans and the team, it really comes down

to understanding and defining your own expectations. This time, expectations achieved. And The question is, what is this season? The then some. I've seen that movie probably 2010-11 campaign already has got the six or seven times now and there's really same hype as Indy 4 or The Dark Knight. not a thing I'd gripe about. It's not a This summer has been the equivalent of perfect movie nor is it my favorite, but it being bombarded with ads constantly. met every high hope I had for it. Everyone isn't just expecting a good movie at this point from the Thunder, And then there's the third end of the they're expecting something Oscar spectrum with expectations. When you worthy. They're expecting a masterpiece. have none, that is. I remember seeing O Brother, Where Art Thou? in high school. I I think for me, it kind of comes down to had no idea who the Coen's were. I just defining those expectations. You've got to knew George Clooney was in this movie understand what you want in order to be and some friends wanted to see it. I didn't happy. But at the same time, those type have any preconceived notion as to of things go flying out the door in whether it would be good or bad. It was December when you get a taste of the really a treat to just walk in nearly blind team and the season. Like last year, I and appreciate the two hour pictureshow thought 35 wins would be a banner year. for what it was. But by the end of February, my 5

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

expectations had evolved and I was now running, winning games at a high clip all the expecting playoff basketball in Oklahoma way through the season. Kevin Durant is City. If the Thunder had crumbled and better than last year, putting up 32.5 points missed the postseason but wound up with per game, Russell Westbrook makes the All- 47 wins, I'd have been disappointed. Star team and the team's role players start Which is kind of crazy. coming into their own. By the end of the year, Oklahoma City finishes with a 34-7 This year, we'll be faced with the same home record en route to 56 wins. The thing. Coming in, I think with the hype of Thunder finishes second in the West and in the summer and the attention being wins their opening round playoff series in five thrown on Durant, expecting 50-55 wins games. seems right. And on top of that, some are feeling a Northwest Division title, maybe The Thunder wins a gritty 7-game series

the No. 2 seed in the West and if things in the quarters, then in the Western go well, a Western Conference Finals Finals, comes up just short against the appearance. If it happens, well, we just Lakers in six. It's another huge step in the got our Dark Knight. But let's say OKC direction of winning an NBA title and wins 48 games, gets the 7-seed and loses though the team didn't get there, in six games in the playoffs. Is that an everything we hoped for this season Indy 4 performance? Or were we happened. And going into 2011-12, we expecting too much to start with for the have serious playoff experience under our STILL youngest group in the league? Hard belts and are ready to legitimately to really say. challenge for the crown.

Here are four possible scenarios I'm INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM looking at for this season: OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL With fans expecting an easy 50-win THE DARK KNIGHT season, some even start mentioning 60. Hype: validated. The Thunder starts off 6 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

The Thunder starts off a bit slow, going .500 in November and December.

By the All-Star break, Oklahoma City is just five games over. There have been a few injuries and everyone is playing reasonably well, but players like Durant and Westbrook seem to be forcing it. They're trying to be too great every night. By the end of the year, Durant's averages dip, Westbrook had a seemingly mediocre year and OKC finishes up at a fairly average 42-40. The Thunder miss the playoffs by a few games and most dub the season a disaster.

FUNNY PEOPLE

I fully realize that by comparing some of UNDER PRESSURE Durant already felt the these scenarios to movies, I'm opening weight of a nation on him in Turkey, so this the door for my personal tastes to be season’s pressure shouldn’t be anything new. ripped to shreds. But I was excited for Funny People. Adam Sandler was playing AVATAR a pretty self-deprecating role, I think Seth If you're one of those people absolutely Rogan is pretty funny and Judd Apatow obsessed with Avatar and you dress up has been pretty good at hitting home runs and paint your body blue and speak in Na'avi, stop reading now. Avatar wasn't with 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. It was a fairly hyped movie that good great. It was solid. It was good. But quality reviews from a lot of respected definitely not the fantastic, revolutionary critics. Apatow was extremely high on it movie everyone thought it was. calling it by far his best movie. (An aside: Why does everyone act like So when I settled in, I expected a James Cameron invented 3D movies? I tremendous comedy that made me laugh remember watching a cartoon in 3D when while also having a quality story that I was like eight.) provided a connection to the characters. It Avatar had its moments. Obviously it was wasn't bad. Actually, it was almost good. gorgeous. It was like the best episode of But it was far from great. To sum it up in Planet Earth on steroids. But it just didn't a word, it was "meh." have what it needed to truly be a

tremendous movie. Maybe it was the It was too long, too serious at parts and story. Maybe it was the acting. Maybe it while Sandler was really good, it just was the writing. Whatever it was, it was never felt like the movie hit any kind of just missing something. stride. There weren't enough laughs and

overall, I left with a meh feeling. A meh This is actually the season I see as most season for the Thunder would probably be likely for the Thunder. Probably 50 wins, something like 45 wins, an eight-seed and something like the six-seed in the West another first round loss. and maybe even a playoff series victory. In terms of expectations and hype, I think I think we'd all leave feeling like we kind both labels would be satisfied. of got our money's worth, but we're definitely not buying this one on DVD. It Nobody would feel like the season wasn't wouldn't be a bad season, but I don't a success and nobody should be think we'd necessarily feel like it was a disappointed. 7 good one.

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

For a team that's transitioning into legit Forget building, forget the process, contendership like the Thunder, a season winning - now or later - is what counts. like this would be another big step in the right direction. Windows don't stay open long in the NBA and right now OKC's just started cracking But it wouldn't be great. It wouldn't be it. award worthy. Nobody would be calling Oklahoma City's name for a season like But at the same time, things don't happen that. And deep down, I think that's what overnight. While there's reason to be something are hoping for. I even fear excited about this season and toss around that's what some are expecting. things like 60 wins, an MVP trophy for KD and maybe even a Western Conference Setting the bar high isn't a bad thing. Finals berth, it's a bit ambitious. Doesn't What we all really want is a trophy. Being mean it can't happen though. Maybe they satisfied with 50 wins and a playoff series can top last year and just remake O win doesn't actually mean anything. Brother. I’d see that movie again.

Three Fearless Predictions

CHEWBLOCKA If the Thunder’s ever looking for an enforcer, Ibaka is their man. He just might pull someone’s arms out of their sockets if he loses.

1. The Thunder win homecourt advantage in the playoffs. I think they get to 53+ wins and this season that gets them into 3rd or 4th place in the West.

2. Westbrook averages nine assists a game over the entire season. I think his improvement as a floor general coupled with more offensive firepower and a better feel/maturation for the offensive end see him surpass that rather impressive benchmark.

3. Serge Ibaka and will both get into some sort of pushing match or heated exchange with opposing teams' big men...and I will eat it up and love them even more for it. They're young, they're scrappers with a mean streak, and they know that their role on this team is to be a little nasty and protect their shorter and more fragile brethren. Bring. It. On. --J.G. Marking 8 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

2010-11 Thunder Roster

COLE ALDRICH, C 2009-10 Stats: 11.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.5 bpg, 26.8 mpg (last season at KU) Projected 10-11 Stats: 4.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 16.5 mpg

Aldrich fills the hole everyone agreed the Thunder had. The question is, will he get to play? Scott Brooks prefers playing nine and at best guess, Aldrich would be No. 10. Obviously he’s part of the future, but surely OKC would like to get him some valuable time this season.

NICK COLLISON, PF 2009-10 Stats: 5.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 20.8 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 6.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 18.5 mpg

Collison could be a player that sees his minutes and need cut a bit this year. With the emergence of Serge Ibaka and the addition of Cole Aldrich, Collison remains as valuable as ever, but might not play as prominent a role.

DAEQUAN COOK, SG 2009-10 Stats: 5.0 ppg, 1.0 apg, 31.7 3P%, 15.4 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 5.5 ppg, 35.0 3P%, 14.5 mpg

The Thunder needed a shooter to stretch the floor and they got Cook as a throw-in while the Heat tried to dump every player they had. Cook’s a former 3-point champ and should contribute beautifully in spots off the bench.

KEVIN DURANT, SF 2009-10 Stats: 30.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 47.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 39.5 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 31.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 49.5 FG%, 37.0 3P%

What do I need to say about Durant here? He’s incredible and we already know it. There’s no telling what he has in store for us this year. Another season of 30 ppg? 32? 33? 35? There’s really no limit at this point for KD.

JEFF GREEN, F 2009-10 Stats: 15.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 33.3 3P%, 37.1 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 15.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 46.0 FG%, 36.0 3P%

This is the season for Green. By Nov. 1 if he doesn’t have an extension, he’s playing for big money. He says he doesn’t care, but everyone knows moolah is some nice added motivation to finally break out the way we think he can.

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

2010-11 Roster

JAMES HARDEN, SG 2009-10 Stats: 9.9 ppg, 1.8 apg, 40.3 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 22.9 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 13.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 42.0 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 30.0 mpg

Harden settled in nicely to a sixth man role last season and will likely play it again this year. But that doesn’t mean he’ll keep the same minutes. The Thunder expects him to contribute more in every way this year, potentially even becoming a third go-to scorer.

SERGE IBAKA, PF 2009-10 Stats: 6.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 54.3 FG%, 18.1 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 8.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 50.0 FG%, 24.5 mpg

There’s no more of a freak on the roster than Ibaka. He’s pushing for more and more playing time because of his ridiculous ability and energy. Scott Brooks has a good problem of trying to figure in minutes for a group of talented bigs.

ROYAL IVEY, PG 2009-10 Stats: 2.1 ppg, 0.6 apg, 7.4 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 1.8 ppg, 0.8 apg, 5.5 mpg

Ivey was brought in to play that type role of being a steady veteran third point guard in case something bad happens. He’s a solid defender and a smart player, but he won’t see much floor time this season.

NENAD KRSTIC, C 2009-10 Stats: 8.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 50.2 FG%, 22.9 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 7.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 51.0 FG%, 18.5 mpg

At some point, Krstic will be unseated from the starting five. But not this year, at least at the beginning. He’s still a threat to rip of 10 points or so in quarter and that distance jumper still gives Russell Westbrook a deadly pick-and-pop option late in the clock.

ERIC MAYNOR, PG 2009-10 Stats: 4.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 43.4 FG%, 16.5 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 5.0 ppg, 3.8 apg, 44.5 FG%, 18.5 mpg

Did you know Maynor was a rookie last year? He played his backup role to Westbrook like a savvy 10-year veteran. Not much will likely change this season for Maynor in terms of role, but he’ll be a year better and a year wiser.

10 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

2010-11 Oklahoma City Thunder Roster

BYRON MULLENS, C 2009-10 Stats: 1.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 13 games played Projected 2010-11 Stats: 1.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 15 games played

Mullens has started the long process of going from project to productive player. Already you can see the differences though. He may have a hard time cracking the rotation this year, but you can see he definitely has a shot to be in the Thunder’s future plans.

MORRIS PETERSON, SG 2009-10 Stats: 7.1 ppg, 38.5 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 21.2 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 3.5 ppg, 40 FG%, 34 3P%, 3.5 mpg

Peterson will have to beat out Cook for that third 2-guard spot, but the veteran marksman has the tools to do it. If anything else, he’s a calming locker room leader and a smart extra scorer to have in relief if needed.

THABO SEFOLOSHA, SG 2009-10 Stats: 6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 31.3 3P%, 28.6 mpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 34.5 3P%, 24.8 mpg

Everyone is wishing and hoping for that deadly 3 to evolve for Sefolosha, but that’d just be icing. He’s the defensive backbone of the team and has started earning a well-deserved reputation as one of the league’s best stoppers.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK, PG 2009-10 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 8.0 apg, 4.9 rpg, 41.8 FG%, 3.3 tpg Projected 2010-11 Stats: 18.9 ppg, 8.6 apg, 4.4 rpg, 43.0 FG%, 2.9 tpg

Could this be an All-Star season for Westbrook? Definitely. Entering his third season, Westbrook has the chance to move into the top three or four in Western point guards. He’s maybe the fastest guard in the league and with an improving mid-range jumper, he’s nearly impossible to guard.

D.J. WHITE, PF 2009-10 Stats: 4.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 12 games played Projected 2010-11 Stats: 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 16 games played

Nobody is more automatic from 12 feet out than White. His problem is that he just can’t seem to find any floor time. The Thunder’s jammed up in the middle, but all it takes is a sprained ankle here or a twisted knee there and all of sudden, White becomes a very important piece to this team.

11 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Put on your sunglasses. This season is going THE VIEW FROM to bring an unprecedented level of glitz to OKC, and the Thunder are quite deserving. THE OTHER SIDE

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART By Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game

POINT GUARD: Flashing. Flashing. Lights. Soak it up, Russell Westbrook | | Thunder faithful; your team is officially big

time. :

Thabo Sefolosha | James Harden | Daequan While last year's squad may have been on a Cook jog that somehow meandered through the

50-win mark and right into the playoffs, this SMALL FORWARD: team's success seems ordained from the Kevin Durant | Morris Peterson start. The Thunder are the next big thing,

and unlike many teams in the conference, POWER FORWARD: they control their own destiny. Jeff Green | Serge Ibaka | |

D.J. White Houston, San Antonio, and Portland have

hinged their fates on injury-prone bigs. Dallas CENTER: is better than they were a year ago, but has Nenad Krstic | Cole Aldrich | Byron Mullens little internal improvement to speak of.

Meanwhile, your Thunder? They only have Perhaps the most frightening thing about the one of the best ballplayers on the planet, a Thunder is that all of the areas in which they supporting cast that's often criminally were successful last season (contesting underrated, and a coach that understands shots, creating turnovers, getting to the free how to motivate his team, even if he's not throw line, and hitting the offensive glass) always great with a clipboard. seem like locks for the coming year, and the

areas in which they struggled (shooting Durant is exquisite, but as most of you well efficiency, turnovers, defensive rebounding, know, he's not the only piece that makes this and fouling) seem likely to be hedged. team go. Russell Westbrook is as dynamic of

a guard as we have in this league, and a The team's troubles with shot selection, tantalizing on-ball perimeter defender to turnovers, and fouling last season were boot. Jeff Green -- I said his name, that hardly indicative of some systemic woe; as means you guys have to argue in the the roster matures from top to bottom, I comment section, right? -- in spite of all of think it's reasonable to say that some of his faults, is still a valuable player. Serge those troubles will, on the whole, begin to Ibaka and Nick Collison are the kind of bigs vanish. Additionally, as Ibaka's role evolves that pseudo contenders would kill for. and Aldrich is introduced into the rotation,

the Thunder's problems on the defensive It doesn't stop there, either. James Harden? glass will be far less pronounced. Ibaka was Thabo Sefolosha? Nenad Krstic? Cole Aldrich? the team's top qualified rebounder last Each flawed in their own way, but season (he led OKC in offensive rebounding wonderfully useful within the team concept. rate, defensive rebounding rate, and,

naturally, total rebounding rate), and The Thunder have the top-tier talent, the provided that his supposed increase in athletic and productive sidekick, the roster minutes also coincides with a diminished role versatility, the go-getter coach, the absurd for Nenad Krstic, the Thunder could shoot up depth, the youth, the inspiration, and now, the league's rebounding ranks. the appropriate hype.

12

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Overall, your little ball club has the potential That said, while teams like the Rockets and to be a top-10 outfit in both offensive and Jazz have a high degree of variability in their defensive efficiency this year, which would potential this season, there is no doubt put them in rather select company. whatsoever in my mind that the Thunder will be right there. OKC still lacks what it takes to There are few things more difficult to predict make it past the Lakers, but I see no fault in the coming season than the future of the with those who prop up the Thunder as the West's second tier, and I'm not quite second best team in the conference. arrogant enough to think I can peg one team among the non-Laker elite as any better than The '09-'10 Thunder may have been an any other, so for now, I'll simply say that the opening act, but this year's squad is a flat- Thunder find a home this season in a huddle out headliner. Welcome to the marquee. near the front.

THREE MORE FEARLESS PREDICTIONS

Prediction One: Kevin Durant shoots 40 percent on 3-point attempts. Anyone who has spent a lot of time watching him play knows Durant is a better shooter than his 36 percent career average shows. Now 36 percent from behind the arc means you're no slouch, but that's not quite up to the elite threshold. I think this is the year he gets to that 40 percent mark and cements his reputation as a feared shooter.

We don't need to spend a whole lot of time talking about how good Durant is offensively. Everyone knows. But for a guy that gets to the line as often as he does, only good things are going to happen if players feel like they need to be just a few inches closer when defending him when he's shooting lights-out from deep. Who is to say that 35 ppg isn't realistic sometime very soon?

Prediction Two: Nick Collison holds Cole Aldrich at bay, which ironically helps ensure his own exit. I think Cole Aldrich was drafted to do what Nick Collison does but at a cheaper salary in the coming years. Scrap and claw, take charges, don't miss put-backs, , defend and don't make mental mistakes. I think Collison is still going to be better at that than his fellow Kansas Jayhawk for now, so he'll spend most of the season showing the rookie how it's done. And then someone will overpay Collison over the offseason, Aldrich will step in next year and be better off for having spent a year learning from him.

The Thunder brass have reiterated since early last year that they finally have a team good enough to make everyone earn playing time. Collison does so many things demanded by Oklahoma City's system so well that Aldrich will find minutes hard to come by, but lessons learned far and wide. Oklahoma City won't overpay to keep Collison around with Aldrich waiting in the wings, and Collison would be foolish to turn down what's likely his last big NBA payday by taking a discount. He'll get a huge, appreciative standing ovation next year when he makes his first return to Oklahoma City with his new team.

Prediction Three: Somehow, some way, the injury bug will likely rear its ugly head. Don't accuse me of creating the possibility of injuries happening merely by mentioning them, or any of that nonsense. I'll admit that I knocked on wood anyway, but believe it or not, there is no scientific evidence linking a blog post with the cause of a sports injury. Nevertheless, the Thunder was so lucky the past two years in avoiding even a semi-serious injury to a rotation player that it seems likely the time will someday come. The odds are what the odds are.

Kevin Durant went down for several games with an ankle injury the first year in Oklahoma City, and the team played well in his absence. Minor injuries have caused notable, if mostly brief, stays on the shelf for James Harden, Nenad Krstic and Nick Collison in the last two seasons -- with the latter two also sitting out training camp this year with injuries. To put it politely, the Thunder seem overdue for one of those "Player X out a month" headlines at the very least. Injuries happen. So when they happen to the Thunder, the best you can hope for is a speedy and full recovery. ---Patrick James

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Setting the Bar, Shooting Higher

In a season defined by expectation and hype, how can one begin to judge what would make for a successful 2010-11 season? As you’d expect, winning pretty much says it all. Home court advantage in the first round. BY ROYCE YOUNG | AP Photo It’s hard not to wonder what might have One word comes to mind when thinking happened had the Thunder won that game in about this Thunder season: basketball. I Utah last season where Tony Brothers choked mean, expectations. They’re there now. on his whistle. It’s hard not to think the They weren’t before. And so we’re going Thunder would’ve been in the catbird’s seat to talk about them some more. to get to fourth in the West and home court advantage in the first round. Now the team has that extra burden on its back. The Thunder has a bar already set, Then the Thunder would’ve drawn someone unlike last year where there was nothing like the Spurs, beat them in six games, to jump over. One step up and everyone moved on to the next round, and then kept is happy. winning eventually all the way to the NBA title. It totally would’ve happened if Tony But this year, oh man. Some people have Brothers didn’t screw us. Oklahoma City finishing second in the West. Some have the Thunder winning the But in all seriousness, gaining home court in West. I need to sit down (yes, I type the first round means two things: 1) OKC standing up evidently). gets home court in the first round and 2) This means the Thunder finished in the top four in Deciding what defines success is actually the West. Those are both very good things. much more difficult this season than last. Obviously one of the upcoming goals for this Because of expectations and the fact this season will be to get out of the first round team is way ahead of schedule, another and to the quarterfinals. eight-seed and first round exit would seem to be very disappointing. When in A big help in getting that done would be reality, for a young team like OKC, would having the Sea of Thunder Blue at your back be another nice year. for the opening two games and then Game 7 if need-be. I don’t think it’s necessary to say, But let’s try and hammer out some “OKC needs to finish second in the West,” metrics to go by. Obviously this isn’t the because it doesn’t necessarily matter that entire list of possibilities, but if I named much because it’s all about matchups. But it them all then you wouldn’t have anything is necessary to be in the top four and get to talk about with your friends, right? home court. 14

DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Win 50. of a leap. DT contributor Patrick James made a great point a while back that this team The key is, is to stay consistent on the might actually be better than last season, road. The Thunder had a nice home record but could finish with fewer wins. But I last year, but compared to other teams think most would agree if the Thunder like the Jazz (32-9), Nuggets (34-7) and finished with 47 or 48 wins, we’d be a Suns (32-9), it wasn’t THAT great. OKC little disappointed. Mainly because I think made up by having a pretty excellent road we’d all agree that in order to get into the record of 23-18, but keep that road top four in the West, you’re going to need record, plus a better to win at least 50. Some have touted the home record and you Winning 60 Thunder for 55 or even 60 wins, but 50 is might have the percent of your a good benchmark. makings for a top four team. games isn’t ever Winning 60 percent of your games isn’t easy and if the ever easy and if the Thunder can get to at Win the Northwest. least 50 again, I think we’d all feel it was Thunder can get at least a successful regular season. It wont’ be easy. to at least 50 Mainly because the again, I think Russell Westbrook an All-Star. NW is probably the toughest division in we’d all feel it This is a stretch. It’s not so much part of the league. Beating was at least a the bar to set success, but more of a goal. out teams like Utah, successful And he was actually pretty close last Denver and Portland season. Because of injuries to starters and will be tough and regular season. players above him, Westbrook nearly something that moved onto the All-Star roster. But would require some good luck along with imagine he continues his progression and great play. But it’s possible. puts up numbers of 18-8 or 19-9 during the first half. Oklahoma City is No. 2 or 3 Last year, OKC finished three games out in the West. You don’t think he’ll at least for the Northwest title and with a few be in the discussion? breaks here or there, would’ve won the dang thing. Like I said, it’s a little bit of a long shot because of players like Deron Williams So taking the division really isn’t a reach,

and in front of him. But with especially if Denver moves Carmelo players like and Anthony. Hanging a division banner in on the way down, Westbrook might be Loud City sure would be swell. able to solidify himself at the third point guard in the West which might be good Defining success is never easy. Last year enough for a berth in LA. success was completely obliterated by an improbable season. Win 30 games at home. Halfway through, most the goals were Last season, OKC went 27-14 at the Ford met, but if the team didn’t finish well, Center. And you can go down those 14 there would’ve been disappointment. losses and pick out a handful of games that really, they should have won. So I think it’s pretty obvious for me to say, winning three more shouldn’t be that big let’s hope that happens again this year.

15 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

2010-11 PREDICTED FINISH

PREDICTOR COMMENT PREDICTIONS Patrick James, Daily Thunder

If nearly every player on the roster got at least a little bit better over the offseason and continues to improve as this season plays out, which is what you would expect for a young team, a finish at or near the top of the division and home court in the Record: 53-29 first round is on the way. Fifty-three wins last season meant the Nuggets needed a tiebreaker to win the division and No. 4 seed over the Jazz, and I expect the division and home-court races to be similarly tight this year. Northwest: 2

Another year of experience, and a still-burning desire for playoff success and a still-fresh organizational culture, will be West: 4 enough to give the Thunder the edge it needs to win a few more close games during the regular season and position itself for a deeper playoff run. The Thunder will be playing in May this year. How close Oklahoma City gets to June is what remains to be seen.

J.G. Marking, Daily Thunder

The Thunder finish with a record of 54-28, good for the 3rd seed in the west behind the Lakers and Mavs, and 1st place in Record: 54-28 the Northwest Division, as the Blazers still continue to struggle with frontcourt depth because of injuries from last year and this year, the Jazz just aren't quite as potent without Boozer, Northwest: 1 Korver, and Wesley Matthews, the Nuggets start their spiral towards rebuilding mode as their own injuries to their front court and mounting chemistry/trade Melo issues finally take their toll. I don't have to talk about the why the Timberwolves West: 3 will be last in the division though, right? Cause, I mean, the sky is also blue and water is wet. DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Joel Ashbee, Thunderground Radio

The Thunder may not improve in wins, but they will in their position in the Western Conference. The bottom teams like Sacramento, LA Clippers and will be Record: 48-34 much improved, thus shrinking the amount of wins of the top teams in the West. 48 wins will be enough to grab the 4th seed and home court for the first round of the playoffs. As much as that seems like a disappointment considering all the projections Northwest: 2 of the Thunder finishing 2nd in the West, it’s not.

Going from 8th to 2nd is too great a leap for one season. The West: 4 Thunder needs to shake the “darling” label and become a legitimate great team. They can do this by winning a playoff round. Anyone who looks at that as a disappointing season in this young team’s development may be expecting too much too fast.

Brad Thomas, Thunderground Radio

There are really only two ways to go with this: Durant stays healthy, Westbrook is the all-star snub the Internet world erupts in founded outrage over, Thabo starts hitting corner 3s, Record: 47-35 Green’s 3pt percentage climbs to around 40, and Harden and/or Ibaka make a Westbrook like sophomore improvement OR this team kind of plateaus. If the former takes place our first division title would be nearly inevitable but if the latter Northwest: 3 takes place what I’m predicting may be more realistic.

All the excitement of our playoff loss to the Lakers and Durant’s West: 6 domination of the World Championships has at times shielded us from some real questions this team has to face this season: What if real injuries to a key player occur? What if Thabo never develops a shot? What if Harden and Ibaka don’t make a significant improvement? What about our gaping hole down low? To me a season where we plateau a little bit but still make the playoffs is most likely.

Royce Young, Daily Thunder Record: 52-30 Common sense says the only option is up from 50. No key losses, the existing youngsters should have improved and there have been some nice additions that should help. Northwest: 2

But the fact some key Western teams dealt with injuries last season and that everything seems to break right is a bit disconcerting. Last season could have just been a flash in the West: 4 pan, but I say it was the first step towards something bigger. DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Clark Matthews, The Lost Ogle

Last season, just about everything went right for the Thunder. Durant blossomed, Westbrook embraced his position, Sefolosha turned into an Artestesque stopper, Maynor was given to the team, and most importantly, no one got hurt. That last stroke of luck will be almost impossible for the Thunder to replicate.

During 2009/10, the only starter who missed a single game was Nenad Krstic, who I think had some elbow tendonitis Record: 53-29 related to working on his combforward. Harden and Collison both missed seven games, but otherwise the entire rotation was healthy all season. Someone, and this time it will be a Northwest: 2 major contributor, is going to miss time. So, then, why do I expect them to be three games better in the win column and way up in the standings? The West got weaker this offseason. West: 4

In this climate, any conclusion that leads to the Thunder having a first round homecourt advantage is a win. Not making the playoffs, on the other hand, would be a disaster. In between would mean they didn't show much progress.

AVERAGE FINISH: Record: 51-31 Overall, another step ahead for the Thunder. While just a one- Northwest: 2 win increase, the Thunder moves up in the Western standings and challenges for a division crown. West: 4

FIVE MUST-SEE HOME GAMES 1. Lakers, Feb. 27. The Thunder only gets the Lakers one time at home this year and it’s a Sunday game at 1:30 on ABC. If there’s going to be a toughest ticket for this season, it’ll be this game. Maybe OKC will bust out the Sea of Blue just for one regular season game this year.

2. Heat, Jan. 30. Like LA, Miami only comes to the Ford Center once this year. It’s the other network television game for the Thunder and of course Wade, LeBron and Bosh will be the draw. Plus, as we’ve covered ’round these parts, it’ll be a bit of the good guys and the bad guys in this game. Nothing would be sweeter than a Thunder win behind a huge game from KD.

3. Bulls, Oct. 27. The Thunder kicks off ESPN’s season with a home game against Chicago. Besides the fact it’s the home opener, it should be a good game against good teams. And any time Russell Westbrook goes head-to-head with , I’m watching.

4. Denver, Dec. 25. Christmas Day games in the NBA are THE spotlight in the NBA. And not only are the Thunder in that game, but they’re in primetime in a huge game against a division rival.

5. Utah, March 23. Last year, a late-season road loss to the Jazz dropped the Thunder down the Western ranks and basically sealed OKC’s fate for eighth. Now the tables could turn with a home game against Utah late in March with potential seeding on the line. Tony Brothers joke goes here. --Royce Young

18 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

BEYONDFIFTY

Coming off a season where every expectation was blown completely away and the Thunder achieved success earlier than anyone thought, where do they go from here? The team appears ready to push even further ahead. But could it actually get better… while appearing worse?

By Patrick James | Photo by Carlton Teckter

G iven the Thunder took the eventual champion Lakers to within one possession of a Game 7, it's hard to point to Oklahoma City's 50 regular-season wins in 2009-10 and say it overachieved. The 27-win improvement in one year after the franchise moved here represents such a leap that an increase this season by even half as much is unthinkable. I don't think anyone would dispute that approaching the mid-60s in wins during the regular season is asking too much. * * *

It begs the question: What number of Specifics were harder to come by this regular-season wins represents the kind season in the Thunder's own stated goals, of improvement the Thunder is looking but home court in the first round replaces for? .500 this year as most folks' chief preseason hope, with a No. 2 seed in the Last year, .500 seemed a realistic goal West as what gets dreamed of more often and the playoffs a hopeful one, though than said out loud. players said flatly in the preseason their goal was the postseason. The last two seasons, when NBA playoff 19 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

seedings were based on the same rules as blemishes among the Thunder's entire this season, it took 54 (with a tiebreaker) and starting five. There's little chance the 53 wins to secure the No. 4 seed and home Thunder will enjoy 20 more games with a court in the West first round. Previous recent full roster than the opposition again. seasons, with wackier seeding rules, had No. 4 slotted teams with 54 wins (ahead of a 55- win team), 51 wins (ahead of a 52-win team) and 60 wins (behind teams with 44 and 54 wins). So 54 wins seems a reasonable BIGNUMBER number if you want at least one Game 1 at home in the playoffs.

But ... the West's No. 2 seed in the last two seasons finished with 55 and 54 wins, 37-5 respectively. Only an effective one-game The Thunder’s record when scoring 100 or difference from No. 4. The previous three more points last season seasons' No. 2 seeds needed 56, 61 and 54 wins. So hoping for one more win than what seemed reasonable for home court in the first round could mean a place in the playoff SMALLNUMBER bracket designed for a collision course with the Lakers with a Finals berth on the line. 16-22

The Thunder’s record when allowing 100 That suggests, tempting as it is to think an ore more points last season eight-win improvement could be easily achieved for a team that improved by 27 the year before, the Thunder could climb rather Now, that's a far from scientific study. For far up the West's power structure with only a example, do you count a game when the modest jump in wins. The No. 2 team in the lose Luis Scola after 22 West doesn't just roll out of bed with a seconds, or a game when Golden State is chance to win 60 games every year. missing Anthony Morrow? (Yes and no, respectively, for my purposes.) Two factors point strongly toward the Thunder having a harder time than may be And it's also worth noting, as a way to imagined pushing for a mid-50s win total: show you can throw almost any statistic injuries and a scrappier-than-ever Western out the window, that the Thunder was a Conference. First, it's time for an emotionless mere .500 in those 38 games, so it would look at injuries. be hard to argue it contributed to an inflated win total for Oklahoma City. But The hard numbers back up plentiful offseason it's clear the Thunder were far luckier than chatter remarking on the Thunder's the teams on the other side of the court spectacularly luck with health last season. I last season. That won't last. checked game-by-game, and the team opposite the Thunder was missing a starter The fact I didn't count the Rockets or or strong contributor off the bench due to Clippers as teams playing hurt every injury, suspension or a break a whopping 38 single game, due to season-long injuries times in 82 games. Nick Collison, James to projected starters Yao Ming and Blake Harden and Nenad Krstic missed six games Griffin, leads to the second point. Despite each last year for Oklahoma City, with a concentration of power in the East, the Krstic's half dozen scratches the lone West remains far deeper. There's hardly a

20 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

FIVE THINGS I’D LIKE TO SEE night off against a Western Conference team, 1. The Thunder should wear black shoes so the Thunder's West-heavy schedule will be at home. Remember the Martin Luther King as big a grind as ever. Yao and Griffin alone Day game last season in the afternoon at represent two huge additions, in effect, to Atlanta? For whatever reason, the Thunder non-playoff teams from last year with wore home whites and the Hawks wore a red instantly realistic hopes of joining the alternate. The Thunder also wore black shoes, postseason this year. which they usually only wear with the road blues. The Rockets, Clippers and Grizzlies alone

seem capable of filling the nine-win gap 2. With only a few exceptions, nothing that was on "Jock Jams" should be between the Thunder's final playoff spot last considered appropriate arena music. year and the Grizzlies, who finished an even Oklahoma's reputation could be at stake with 41-41. more national TV broadcasts this year. If they hear that junk coming back from the There could be 10 teams that finish with commercial break, what will they think about between 45 and 55 wins, and they could be the music scene in Oklahoma? That the music fighting for six or seven playoff spots. industry sends a guy from Los Angeles on foot to Oklahoma every few years with the latest Just as a few more wins could be the hits in a knapsack, but they usually stop in difference between No. 8 and No. 2, a few Phoenix for college and Albuquerque to start a family before they make it? And speaking of losses could be the difference between Game TV, the local broadcasts have an issue too. 1 at home and home for the postseason. The Thunder's significant breathing room is likely 3. I vote for "change" to the commercial to be gone. lineup on Thunder game TV broadcasts. When you're watching a Wednesday night The Thunder has plenty to suggest more wins game against a crappy Eastern Conference could come. A group of young players is likely team in February, you could be forgiven if you to get better. We're 840 words in here with set yourself aflame when you see the same nary a mention of Kevin Durant. Russell old commercials for Cox, SandRidge, OG&E Westbrook outplayed Derrick Rose for much and the like on the TV broadcasts for the 1,200th time in the season. Especially if you of the FIBA World Championship. think about how that's going to continue through the end of the year. If James Harden can make a second-year leap similar to Westbrook's last season, the 4. The fan shops need better quality Thunder could be downright explosive on the replica jerseys. This summer, someone who offensive end. Serge Ibaka's development would know grimaced and told me the alone could determine if this is the season Thunder was aware of what many fans see as the Thunder are true title contenders. shortcomings in the team's offerings in the fan shops over the first two seasons, though we But the likelihood that injury luck has run out weren't speaking specifically about jerseys. Long story short, that person said there would coupled with stiffened competition in the be a broader range of items (clothing and Western Conference should give pause to otherwise) available this season and the anyone who thinks postseason performance quality would be noticeably better on a lot of alone is on what the Thunder's season will be things. Here's hoping. judged.

5. Give us a buzzer beater! A slight slip isn't out of the question and If it happens to be in the playoffs, they'll could leave Oklahoma City on the outside of probably record another one of those tiny the playoffs looking in. Fans would be as wise earthquakes that are happening around here, as the team to buy into the old cliche: Just with an epicenter in downtown Oklahoma City. We're all waiting for it. –Patrick James take it one game at a time.

21 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Learning From KD’s Tour in Turkey Kevin Durant had quite the summer. He inked a big extension and then led his country to the first gold medal in the World Championships in 16 years. But while in Turkey, he played a little differently than Thunder fans are used to. Is this something we should get used to?

By Royce Young | Photo by Ethan Miller/NBAE/Getty Images

T he U.S. slipped past a scrappy Russian on-one player than we have during his squad 89-79 in the quarter-finals behind a time in the NBA. With Scott Brooks, ho-hum 33 from Kevin Durant and 12 Durant runs a lot off of high screens and from Russell Westbrook. If you’re pin-downs. He scores a lot in transition perceptive and good at math, you’ll notice and a lot off cuts. Thunder duo notched over half of Team USA’s total output. That was pretty cool. In fact, according to Synergy Sports,

Durant had 634 isolation plays last season KD was absolutely fantastic, hitting 11-19 and scored on 45 percent of them. from the floor and basically carrying the Twenty-five percent of Durant’s overall U.S. to a win. Without Durant’s scoring touches come on isolation. He had 204 ability, Team USA would have been in a plays on pick-and-roll plays, 253 on spot- lot of trouble. Westbrook keyed a third ups, 404 coming off screens and 365 in quarter run that basically put the game transition. So yes, most of his plays came away. He was all over the place, flying in in isolation. But compare that to say, passing lanes, attacking the rim with no LeBron, Kobe, and Carmelo regard for his own well-being and dunking Anthony who are the other elite scorers the ball on fast breaks. His energy fired up Durant is compared with. Team USA and was a major part in the

win. LeBron had 758 iso plays, and only 49

coming off screens. Carmelo had 783 iso But one thing Fran Fraschilla pointed out plays and just 25 coming off screens. during the game that I thought was a Wade gets the majority of his touches on smart point: In international play, we’ve pick-and-roll as the ball handler and 176 seen KD play much more as a one- touches coming off screens. 22 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

So it’s pretty clear, of the elite scorers in the league, Durant gets his points a different way. Kobe had 804 iso plays and just 123 coming off screens (and 523 off post-ups, which is way higher than anyone else). KD is more like than LeBron, Kobe or Carmelo.

But with Team USA, KD has was used a With this improved one-on-one play, KD lot more in isolation situations, playing might just be the deadly late game scorer more one-on-one than usual. Now we know he can be. obviously that’s just a difference in Coach K’s system compared to Scott Brooks, but The perfect mix for Durant and the either way, Durant is going to score. KD Thunder is for him to be able to do both.

has worked extremely hard in the You want Scott Brooks to still call his sets offseason improving his strength and ball- for Durant. You want KD still rolling off handling ability in traffic. So maybe that screens. But you also want Durant to opens the door to more isolation and one- have that takeover ability, something that on-one play. he’s showing off a little in Turkey.

One underrated aspect is in end of the Will it be something we see this season? clock situations. Last season, Durant I’d say it’s likely. Brooks had to be creative with Durant last season to make struggled getting free to get a late shot up. There was even a video breakdown on sure he played to his strengths. As KD’s DT about that exact situation. game evolves, so will the way he scores.

One of the reasons is because KD scores Add in the ability to score in one-on-one mainly off of someone else’s penetration situations along with the lights out or from a set play. In a late clock shooting and ability to curl off screens, situation where Durant needs to create and you basically have an unguardable his own, he struggles, especially if a player. Oh, and let me mention yet again, second defender is ran at him. he’s not even 22 years old yet.

23 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

4QUESTIONS12ANSWERS

1. What player is going to break out and be big time important this season?

J.G. Marking: My answer is James Harden. I think Harden is finally beginning to understand just how effective he can be at the NBA level when it comes to contributing to an entire box score, instead of just labeling himself "the spot-up three point shooter," which he seemed to almost shackle himself with the majority of the time last season. I think Harden's improved understanding of attacking the basket and his increasing defensive ability will get him more and more minutes and see him become the true #2 scoring option the Thunder so desperately need (and drafted him for).

Royce Young: I’d say there are four candidates for such a thing on this list. You could make a strong case for Cole Aldrich, Eric Maynor, James Harden and Serge Ibaka to potentially break out and play a large role for OKC this year. But since I wrote the question and said pick one, I’m going with Serge Ibaka. He’s going to be inconsistent and he’s going to have nights where he doesn’t contribute much. But when he’s plugged in, he’s going to make an impact not just defensively, but offensively as well. It’s not hard for me to see a few night where he goes for 15 points, 12 boards and six blocks. He’s going to win the Thunder a few games this season, I’m positive.

Patrick James: Eric Maynor. The Thunder woke up a .500 basketball team on the December morning the Jazz traded Eric Maynor to Oklahoma City for a bag of chips. That seems like a long

24 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

time ago, doesn't it?

Now, I know that Eric Maynor isn't the only reason the Thunder exploded over the next five months to scare the bejeezus out of the Lakers and leave sportswriters using thesauruses in search of more superlatives. But he's a big reason why. How many No. 2 point guards in the league would you take over Maynor? By the end of the season, you could be reasonably asking the same question of No. 1 point guards and not need more than two hands and a foot to count the answer.

I'd like to see a lot of small-ball this year with Maynor at the one, Russell Westbrook at the two, James Harden at the three, Kevin Durant at the four and either Jeff Green or Serge Ibaka at the five, especially when other teams start to go to their benches. Who would be able to keep up with that? I doubt there's a better small-ball lineup in the league this side of Miami, and if you try to counter it with a traditional lineup, you're getting your doors blown off after every possession, make or miss. And if there are injuries in the back court this year, Maynor's stabilizing presence can maximize the roster flexibility and allow the team to move on without skipping a beat.

2. Will Kevin Durant win the MVP? GETKNOWLEDGE J.G. Marking: I honestly think so. I think Kobe will be • The youngest player in NBA rested even a bit more this year (until the playoffs). I think history to win the MVP award is LeBron won't have to post otherworldly stats with Wade Wes Unseld, who was 23 years and Bosh in Miami for them to be successful (I also think old when he won it in 1969 he'll get more rest too after the Heat are up 20 in the third playing for the Baltimore quarter on some poor team), therefore cutting into his Bullets. stats. And I think Kevin Durant will continue to be the heart of a team that will challenge for home-court advantage, win • Tom Brady is the youngest in 50+ games again and show just as much improvement as NFL history, winning it at 25. their leader will, winning his first MVP at 22. • Vida Blue is the youngest in Royce Young: It’s certainly set up for him to do so. His MLB history, winning the award main competition is not only splitting the spotlight and at 22. stats in Miami now, but his glamorous image also took a hit. The media’s waiting to hand Durant the award and it’s just a matter as to if he performs or not.

And he will definitely perform. His team will be good, he’ll have great numbers and it’ll be set up for him to win the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. But I don’t think he will. He’s going to come in second in an extremely close vote, but not to LeBron. This time, I think Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul or just barely edges him for the award. It’ll come in due time though.

Patrick James: Yes. Kobe Bryant looks like he'll struggle to play all season, much less to put up big numbers all season, especially if he tries to save himself for the stretch run. I think LeBron James and the Heat will need a big chunk of the year to figure things out and hit their statistical stride, although he may be a triple-double machine before too long

Durant, on the other hand, enters the season healthy with most of the same cast he played with

25 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

last year, and he appears to have only added to his offensive and defensive arsenal over the summer. And more importantly, he's the leader in the clubhouse before the season even started. Most folks with votes out there have probably already made it Durant's to lose in their own minds, and I don't think he will. The MVP contest is a beauty pageant, and KD is the "it" candidate this year with the game to back it up.

3. Will the roster look the same at the end of the season?

J.G. Marking: The 15 man roster? Yes. The rotational roster...I'm not so sure. I can't see Presti, Brooks and Co. moving any of the contributors from last year for fear of disrupting continuity (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). But I also can't see Aldrich not getting some serious run if he can rebound, defend, protect the rim and affect so many plays on both ends of the court with his hustle. I also can't see Ibaka not getting 26-30 min a game, which means someone's minutes/role in the rotation is getting slimmed down or cut altogether. So I think (and hope) the 9-man, set in stone rotation gives way to the situation/use our weapons and matchups to our advantage rotation.

Royce Young: I say no. Either Nenad Krstic or Nick Collison isn’t going to be on this roster by the end of the season. I’m convinced. I lean towards Krstic just because I think is going to attempt to re-sign Collison next summer if he can. It depends on Cole Aldrich and if he can handle larger minutes, but Byron Mullens is being groomed to do what Krstic does now. I think the Thunder trades Krstic while his value is high and his contract is attractive.

Patrick James: Yes, with the possible exception of the end of the bench. I don't see any scenario in which the Thunder doesn't tinker with the final couple of roster spots depending on what they need in practice or what the injury situation is as the season progresses. They'll want to get quick looks at guys and shuttle them back-and-forth between here and Tulsa if they're still eligible. But I don't see any major roster moves this year during the season.

The biggest trade chip the Thunder has (not including players who obviously aren't going anywhere) is Nick Collison because of his expiring contract. They could conceivably move him in a package for a nice player to a team that's looking for cap space next year. But I think the Thunder should be counted among the teams looking for cap space, so I think they'll hold on to Collison and use the room next year to re-sign Russell Westbrook and (hopefully, in my mind)

26 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW

Jeff Green. The staff obviously loves Collison so I bet they'd like to bring him back without overpaying him, but they'd let him walk if they think they can get the same minutes next year from Cole Aldrich. And somewhere Mrs. Patrick James just threw something because big No. 4 is her favorite player, except for when Thabo Sefolosha is her favorite player. Or Serge Ibaka after she saw the ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue." BIGNUMBER 4. In March, who is starting at center?

J.G. Marking: I have no idea on this one, but I'll go with Krstic, barring any injury. He's 76 underrated in his positional defending and he and Westbrook do have a great pick-and-pop game. Number of games the same starting five took the floor for the Thunder last season However I'd like to add that the question is March and not April or May, because if the Thunder get matched up with a Western Conference foe with some bigs who can and do start abusing Krstic SMALLNUMBER down low like the Lakers did, I'd hope the coaching staff would take a long look at starting 8 the guy they traded up just outside of the top 10 Total number of games Kevin Durant and in the draft to get. Russell Westbrook have missed in their careers. All eight have been by Durant. Royce Young: Well, since I’ve got the team trading Krstic, I guess I’m saying Cole Aldrich is, by default. I don’t think the team is convinced Serge Ibaka can handle it. I’m definitely not convinced of it.

A tandem of Ibaka and Jeff Green on the inside would get mauled. But Aldrich was drafted to play that spot and if he progresses and plays defense and rebounds, he should be able to take the spot with no problem. If I’m wrong, like I so often am, and Krstic is still in OKC, he’ll be starting at center in March.

Patrick James: Byron Mullens. OK, so maybe I don't really believe this, and if it comes true he would undoubtedly be the answer to the first question as well unless he's starting by default because of health issues. But this is what I want to happen, and would likely be a sign of great things to come if it happens for the right reasons.

A starting lineup in two more years of well-refined players in Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Mullens would be downright scary if they all are even scratching the surface of their potential by then, allowing Jeff Green to be one of the better sixth men in the league as a sub at the three and four. Size. Speed. Shooting. Defense.

I think we know who Nenad Krstic is. He's a solid player, an underrated defender and an above- average pick-and-pop post, and that's what he'll be for a few more years before age slows him down. But it appears as if Byron Mullens has similar skills with more natural talent. If that comes to fruition sooner rather than later, look out.

27 DAILY THUNDER 2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW www.dailythunder.com

New shirts from Tree and Leaf coming soon with a full re-stock of existing tees on Oct. 23rd.

Thanks to: Eric Connell, Connell Creative (www.connellcreative.com) J.G. Marking, Daily Thunder Patrick James, Daily Thunder Rob Mahoney, The Two Man Game (www.thetwomangame.com) Joel Ashbee, Thunderground Radio Brad Thomas, Thunderground Radio Clark Matthews, The Lost Ogle (www.thelostogle.com)

GO2010-11SEASON.