Oklahoma City Thunder 2008 Season Preview

Kevin Durant launches the OKC Thunder into their first season

Oklahoma City Thunder: 2007-08

The Oklahoma City Thunder concluded their last season as the Seattle Supersonics in the 2007-08 NBA season. The Seattle Supersonics had a proud history dating back to the days of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, but a change was necessary for the future of the organization. The Seattle Supersonics got this new era started off right by drafting SG Kevin Durant second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft.

The small Kevin Durant took a while to adjust to the NBA but when he did he quickly became the best player on the Seattle Supersonics roster. Kevin Durant not only led in points but he also led the future Oklahoma City Thunder in blocks and steals. Rookie SF Jeff Green was another superstar as soon as he hit the court. Kevin Durant ran away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award but could not have done it without the many veteran players on the team.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Offseason

In an effort to build their team from the ground up, the Oklahoma City Thunder focused on the 2008 NBA Draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted PG Russell Westbrook fourth overall and used another first-round pick on F Serge Ibaka. After many trades on draft day, the Oklahoma City Thunder also acquired rookie D.J. White. The influx of youth gives Kevin Durant a roster to grow with while still keeping veteran pieces in place. The draft-first mentality has kept the Oklahoma City Thunder under the cap and in a steady building phase.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Offense

The heart of the Oklahoma City Thunder is SG Kevin Durant. The young Texas Longhorn has already become a respected leader and was the chief offensive weapon with 20.3 PPG. Rookie SF Jeff Green (10.5 PPG) was a pleasant surprise, and he joins Kevin Durant as a base for the future. C Nick Collison (9.8 PPG) is a young big man who is just now finding his stride and gives the Oklahoma City Thunder a powerful presence in the paint.

The Oklahoma City Thunder also has a score of veterans to teach the young guys and take the pressure off as well. PF Chris Wilcox (13.4 PPG) is another force in the paint and can move to center if needed. Rookies Russell Westbrook, D.J. White, and Kyle Weaver will all see significant time on the floor as well, and all of them could be starters in a year or two. C Robert Swift is a young talent as well and is finally healthy and ready to contribute.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Defense

Kevin Durant won the NBA Rookie of the Year award not just because of his offensive play but because he was also the leader of the Oklahoma City Thunder defense. Kevin Durant grabbed many steals and blocks over his rookie campaign and forced many turnovers. C Nick Collison is another powerful defender in the paint and gets plenty of steals for an athlete of his size. The new blood from the rookies adds a new dimension to the Oklahoma City Thunder defense.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Lineup

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook, Earl Watson
Shooting Guard: Kevin Durant, Damien Wilkins
Small Forward: Jeff Green, Desmond Wilson
Power Forward: Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith
Center: Nick Collison, Robert Swift

Oklahoma City Thunder: Outlook

Unlike the other young teams around the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a great base of veterans still in their prime to help teach the next generation and perform on the court. The veterans of the Oklahoma City Thunder still have plenty of tread on their tires and they aren’t the worn-down players at the twilight of their careers like many of the older players riding the pine on up-and-coming teams.

Kevin Durant is the real deal; his ability to rule on defense and command respect from his teammates at such a young ages means nothing but good things for the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Oklahoma City Thunder hit a homerun with this rookie class like they did in the 2007 NBA Draft, then the future of the new team is both bright and assured. The Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets rule the Northwest Division right now, but the Oklahoma City Thunder have the talent to emerge as real contenders and champions in the next few seasons.