HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – When the Heat and Thunder square off tonight in Miami (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), it’ll serve as a bit of a test for both sides.
The Heat get to test their mettle against another one of the league’s “elite” squads and the Thunder get a chance to prove that they most definitely belong in the mix of said elite.
My main man Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman added a little twist to the festivities for the Thunder by posing the question, just how far away from championship contention is this Thunder group? (particularly with Kendrick Perkins in tow):
“There’s no easy path to that level. You have to earn it by working every day,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks, a member of the championship-winning 1994 Rockets. “We’re getting pieces to having a good team. Perk is another good piece to getting where we want to get to.”
Perkins joins a stable of young talent that is led by soon-to-be back-to-back scoring champ Kevin Durant and fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook. Together, despite both being just 22, they form the league’s third highest scoring duo. And they’re flanked by what appears to be the right blend of role players, a mix of veteran glue guys (Nick Collison and Thabo Sefolosha) and other young, untapped potential (James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Eric Maynor and Cole Aldrich).
“But it takes a lot of work, effort and good players,” Brooks said. “Not just one or two, it takes a team full of good players. And it takes some good fortune. We’re building our team with some good players. We want to keep working and keep improving. I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but we think like champions. We do everything like a champion.”
OKC is the most dangerous team in the league. Point Blank Period. They have immeasurable potential considering their youth. They have shown abilities to sacrifice and play to each player’s strength. 2 solid big men in Nazr and Perk, Maynor (8.5 asts in last 2 games) is a growing PG, Nate can take is Boston defensive and unselfish mentally and finally be the combo guard he is, Thabo as a lockdown defender, Cook an excellent shooter and role player, Ibaka an energetic shot blocker, Collision is a great role guy… Russ as the Most Improved Player in my opinion, KD the 2nd best scorer behind Melo…. DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!!
Most Dangerous Teams going into playoffs
1. OKC
2. Dallas
3. Denver
Oklahoma is a great team to watch and vs the Heat it should be an exciting match. But I’m a Heat fan so I say they win tonight be 6 since 5 insn’t doable, wait actually we won by 5 last time.
As for OKL making a playoff run for the championship, I can see that happening if Harden & Ibaka develop more or maybe they get Griffin? Jokin but still this team has alot of young talent.
indeed OKC and Denver will be the darkhorses come playoffs time. only downside is that it seems to be that these two will clash in the first round dropping the other. nonetheless these two are my bets for the WC champions. just me
OKC in my eyes is the next laker/spur type team. They play solid team basketball with their stars doing their jobs and a whole swarm of role players. If this team stays together and doesnt have any major injuries, I see them winning a title in the next 5 years.