The Calm Before The Storm: Why Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder Can Make Some Noise in May

The Thunder were the number 8 seed last year, and they took the future champion LA Lakers to 6 games. Now the Thunder are in the running for a #2, #3, or #4 seed in the West. Regardless of their draw, they can make noise in the playoffs, by virtue of having certain players. The obvious one is Kevin Durant, a potent scorer who can hurt you inside and outside. Then you have Russell Westbrook, another one of the new breed of point guards who beats you with both his playmaking and his athleticism. Then you have role players. Defensive dynamos Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka, and Kendrick Perkins assert dominance both inside and on the perimeter. There are bench players like Nick Collison and James Harden who add a necessary boost off the bench. This team is deep and has a good core in Westbrook and Durant. Will they win the NBA championship? Better judgment (and my own personal bias) says no. But will they be dangerous in the playoffs? Without question.