NBA Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Christmas Wish Simply Includes a Healthy Kevin Durant

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By @fanforlife1988

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

Getty Images Sport – Rocky Widner

Prior to spraining his ankle against the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant was last seen having the most prolific scoring half of his career. Durant finished with 30 points, all during the first half of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s eventual loss to the Warriors.

While the injury was revealed not to be as serious as initially thought, the Thunder find themselves where they started the season – with Russell Westbrook in uniform, but not Durant. Westbrook has been better than ever this season, despite missing 14 games himself, as he’s averaged 27.2 points, 7.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds a night. After missing the first 17 games of the season, Durant returned on a minutes restriction that head coach Scott Brooks placed on his leader. But as Durant eases back into the thick of things, the Thunder find themselves outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference, and in need of a real boost this Christmas season. Fortunately, the Thunder have just the right thing – the reigning MVP.

In just nine games, Durant found himself improving daily, as evidenced by his last performance. What the ankle injury revealed, was that as great as Durant is, his return isn’t as simple as we would all like it to be. Over the initial stretch, which saw the Thunder go 7-2, Durant averaged over 22 points on 53 percent shooting — a LeBron James-like efficiency. If Durant is able to become an even more efficient offensive player, he will have taken the next step as an elite player – a level, very few players ever reach during their career.

Even with Westbrook in tow, and Durant nearing a return, the West is more stacked than ever before. With seven teams on pace to win around 53 games each, the competition for home-court advantage is at an all-time high. The Thunder, due to the injuries to Westbrook and Durant, are nowhere near the conversation, but continue to have the same aspirations nonetheless.

While winning an MVP award is nearly out the window for Durant this year, as he’s missed over 20 percent of the regular season, the playoffs are certainly within the realm of possibility. However, Durant cannot strain himself trying to play at his highest level upon returning again. The team’s supporting cast, led by Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson, are capable of stepping up more than ever to assist their star duo, allowing Durant to pick his spots, and potentially maintain his offensive efficiency in the process.

Despite the recent injuries, Durant knows that defenses will play him the same regardless, based on his reputation. For the Thunder to go far, they need Durant back and playing at the elite level. Getting there is not as easy as it sounds, but if anyone can do it, the reigning MVP can.

With the holiday season upon us, the Thunder need only to ask for one thing. Having Durant in uniform on Christmas Day for their matchup with the defending-champion San Antonio Spurs is very important to the Thunder, who need a statement victory this season. With nine teams ahead of them out West, this journey back is going to be fun, as long as the Thunder have their reigning MVP.

Zach Fetaru is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @fanforlife1988 ”like him” on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

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