General manager: Sam Presti
Head coach: Scott Brooks
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished last season at the bottom of the Northwest Division and thirteenth in the Western Conference. It was the first season they played in Oklahoma City, after moving roughly 2000 miles from Seattle to Oklahoma City in the off-season before, being renamed from Sonics to Thunder in the process.
A year, a new coach and some new players later, the Thunder is looking to make an impact in the Western Conference, continuing their quest to reach the Playoffs for the first time in their short history. Whether or not they’re going to be able to mix it at the top we obviously don’t know yet, but we ought to take a closer look at your Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2009/10 season.
The heart and indisputably the Thunder’s franchise player is third year Small Forward Kevin Durant. The former second round draft pick is only 21 years of age, but already one of the league’s best scorers. Durant was 6th in the league in scoring last season, averaging just over 25 points per game. We can only suggest that this number is only going to increase in the upcoming season. While trying to get far with his team next season, without a doubt a personal goal for Durant has to be to get selected for his first ever All-Star Game, which will be held next February in Arlington, Texas.
On the Point Guard position we have Russell Westbrook. This exciting sophomore has already won the fans’ hearts over with his mind blowing athleticism. Even though the former UCLA Bruin is 6 foot 3 inches tall, he is a very good all-rounder. Last season, he was the first rookie since Chris Paul in the 2005/06 season to record a triple-double. He scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in victory over Dallas, on March 2nd 2009.
At Shooting Guard there is Swiss national player Thabo Sefolosha, who is going to battle over the starting spot with rookie James Harden. Harden, from Arizona State, was drafted third overall in this year’s draft and is perhaps the most complete player of all the draftees. We are excited how his arrival will work out for the Thunder.
Projected Starters on Power Forward and Center are Jeff Green and Serbian native Nenad Kristic, respectively. Green, same as Durant, a three year player who was drafted just three picks behind the former in the 2007 draft. He increased his PPG average by 7 points from his rookie season to his sophomore one.
To see what other players are on this year’s Thunder squad, scroll up to the Roster section.
Various analysts predict and comment on how the Thunder are going to finish the upcoming season:
David Thorpe “
It's easy to drool over the expected growth of Durant. But I'm also excited about Westbrook. We saw what Rondo's freakish athleticism did in Year 2, so expecting something amazing from Westbrook is fair. Management and coaching are stressing defense -- will we see it?”
Northwest: 4th
Western: 11thJalen Rose “
They have a young exciting core in Durant, Westbook and Green. Rookie Harden will slash to the basket and perform like a top rookie in this year's class”
Northwest: 5th
Western: 13thJohn Hollinger “
The young Thunder are likely a year away from breaking into the West's top 8, but they're pretty close already after adding yet another strong component (James Harden) to the emerging Durant-Green-Westbrook nucleus”
Northwest: 4th
Western: 10th
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