Oklahoma City Thunder Advance



Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant has led his Oklahoma City Thunder team to the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs for the first time in his four-year NBA career. The 22 year-old continues to evolve as one of the best players in the league and he is carrying this squad to great heights. After winning their series against the Denver Nuggets 4-1, Durant and the Thunder await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies series.

The Thunder will be the favorite in their second round matchup. If they face the Spurs, the Thunder will look to use their speed and athleticism to outrun the aging veterans. If the Grizzlies are their opponent, then the Thunder will rely on Durant and Russell Westbrook to outshine the “starless” Grizzlies.

Durant fading away

Over the past two seasons, Durant and Westbrook have emerged into some of the NBA's brightest stars and their team has made great progress. Last season the Thunder made the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City and changed their name from the Sonics. They made one of the greatest improvements in NBA history by winning 50 games after only accomplishing 23 wins in the 2008-09 season; this season the Thunder finished fourth in the West with 55 wins.

Durant led the NBA in scoring for the second straight year with 27 ppg, and Westbrook, 22, has entered the category as one of the best point guards in the association. A dynamic duo built on youth, skills, talent, and athleticism, the two are hard to defend because of Durant’s length and shooting range, and Westbrook’s blazing speed and leaping ability. This tandem also makes their teammates better by sharing the ball and allowing them to contribute in many ways.

James Harden, 21, and forward Serge Ibaka, 21, made valuable impacts during the first round as both averaged 10 ppg, and Ibaka grabbed 11 rebounds per game. With the addition of Kendrick Perkins at the center position, it provides some strength and “attitude” that this team was missing. The Thunder acquired Perkins for “hybrid” forward Jeff Green at the February trading deadline because they needed someone who could contend with the big men in the Western Conference.  

Westbrook with the slam

With the makeup of this team, no one will  be surprised if the Thunder advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder have a defensive minded big man in the middle, the best scorer in the league in Durant, an All-Star point guard in Westbrook, and a consistent bench. The Thunder can play at a fast pace, and they can also function in half-court sets.

The Thunder will await the winner of tonight’s contest between the Spurs and the Grizzlies to find out who they will play in the second round. The Grizzlies lead the series 3-2, but if the Spurs win, then the Thunder will have to wait another game to find out who will be their next opponent.