NBA Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder Narrowly Escape Defeat Yet Again

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By @JosephMCrevier

Oklahoma City Thunder

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The Oklahoma City Thunder were poised for a catastrophic season from the start. Kevin Durant suffered a Jones fracture in his foot, sidelining the superstar until early December. Luckily, Russell Westbrook was there to back his fellow teammate up, right? Not exactly. Just two games into the season, Westbrook fractured his hand, sidelining him for almost two months as well.

By the time both players were healthy, Oklahoma City dipped to an abominable (5-12) record. Meanwhile, the über-competitve Western Conference was off an rolling, leaving the Thunder behind in the dust. With plenty of ground to make up, Oklahoma City ripped off seven straight games, but were still out of the playoff picture. The pressure set in, Durant went down again with a sprained ankle, and midway through the season the Thunder are in serious danger of totally missing the playoff.

It is not often that the Oklahoma City organization admits defeat or panic. This was the case though, as general manager Sam Presti absorbed the chemistry defiant Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a first-round draft choice. In years past, Presti refused to shed out first-round picks, a plan that has worked out marvelously for the general manager. However, his refusal to make sensible deals and exceed the luxury tax has set this team way further back than anticipated.

Far too often does this team rely on its star players, as they have failed to establish a legitimate third option since James Harden‘s abrupt departure. The real tragic story of the season is Serge Ibaka‘s glaring regression. A man whose game was primarily predicated on defense, rebounding and toughness has been totally reconstructed due to his questionable tendency to drift outside the paint. In fact, just 31.2 percent of Ibaka’s shot are coming within in the paint as opposed to 47.4 percent last season. This alteration has cost Ibaka a drastic dip in his shooting percentage and, more importantly, a presence down low.

With Kevin Durant’s 2016 free agency now looming as the elephant in the room, Presti must seek out more major moves, such as the rumored Brook Lopez deal. If not, this Durant contract situation has the potential to turn poisonous.

Where does Oklahoma City go from here?

Although it is highly unlikely that head coach Scott Brooks is fired during the season, his constant coaching lapses and inability to take command should, and will, cost him his job next summer.

Aside from coaching issues, the Thunder must rectify the roster issues immediately. They hold an extremely valuable asset in Kendrick Perkins‘ expiring contract to pair alongside the disgruntled Reggie Jackson, who already has a foot out the door. Plenty of teams will be looking to unload unfavorable contracts to expedite their own rebuilding processes, so Oklahoma City must bite the bullet and make a move. Missing the playoffs will be a disaster that could impede the judgement of Durant later on.

After yet another sluggish victory, this time over the struggling Miami Heat, Presti must pick up the phone and start dialing.

Joseph Crevier covers the New York Knicks for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JosephMCrevier, and Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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