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The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t help but think what could have been last season, had the team been healthy. Point guard Russell Westbrook suffered a season-ending injury when he tore his meniscus in the playoffs, resulting in the Thunder eventually being knocked out by the Memphis Grizzlies.
As the 2013 season approaches, Oklahoma City is on a mission to finish what they started as Westbrook gets healthy. With arguably the best player in the NBA in Kevin Durant, the Thunder will always have a shot at a title. Westbrook and Durant have proved to be top-10 players in the league and having that kind of talent on the same squad can’t be overlooked by opponents.
Throughout the offseason, their first round foe from last year, the Houston Rockets, were improved significantly after the big signing of Dwight Howard. Joining James Harden and Jeremy Lin in Houston, Howard figures to put the Rockets in contention right away. But, are they the best team in the west?
According to the Rockets very own general manager Daryl Morey, the answer is simple: no. In a recent interview with Reddit, featuring a question and answer session from fans, Morey was asked who the biggest threat to his Rockets was. Immediately and quite frankly, Morey responded:
“I think Oklahoma City is the best team when healthy.”
It would be one thing if Michael Jordan called the Charlotte Bobcats the best team in the NBA — that would be absurd. But, the Rockets are a playoff team. They’re a good squad that got even better this summer. For Morey to say something like that is absolutely hilarious.
But, he could be right. The Thunder are a fantastic squad. Durant is downright scary when he wants to be. Westbrook is one of the best point guards in the league. Beyond that, the roster is mediocre, but those two when healthy can carry the team on their own — they’ve proved that.
It’ll be quite fun to watch these two teams face off for the first time in the upcoming season. Hopefully, Morey puts a little more faith in his team before that takes place though.
Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
