(This is another in a series of 30 guest columns that will run in October, when optimism reigns supreme across the NBA. The theme will be “Five Reasons to Feel Positive About … ” We encourage you to follow the authors on Twitter and visit their sites. – CS)
The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the league’s most talked-about teams last season, and it seemed that they were destined to meet with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. It was what everybody wanted – the young, homegrown team from a small town taking on the superstars who decided to pal around and live on the beach.
But after OKC’s Game Five loss, the focus of the NBA has shifted to the league’s newest quickly constructed powerhouse, the Los Angeles Lakers. Other teams are looking more powerful as well, with the LA Clippers grabbing Lamar Odom, Denver getting Andre Igoudala, and San Antonio getting more time to work out their roster.
From a distance, it looks like the Thunder may disappoint this season. After all, the only real moves they made were losing veterans Derek Fisher and Nazr Mohammed while signing a late first-rounder in Perry Jones III and a well-known draft bust in Hasheem Thabeet.
However, if there’s one thing the Thunder know how to do, it’s to surprise you when it’s least expected. Here’s five reasons to feel positive about the team from OKC.
Great points! I remain to high hopes for the Thunders!