The opportunity for Kevin Durant to lead the Thunder into the NBA finals and perhaps a championship may not be as long and as assured as some believe.
Oklahoma City has terrific young players and a coach that pushed most of the right buttons.
The Thunder reached the NBA Western Conference Finals, finally losing the series to Dallas in five games, with players that should get better with experience.
If so, next year Oklahoma City will again be a contender in the NBA Western Conference.
Yet, there are no guarantees. Just because you are young and good one year does not automatically mean you'll be even better the next season.
Everything changes every season.
The schedule changes. The chemistry, regardless of how many of the same players remain in place, changes.
Injuries, free agency and other teams can change how a season plays out.
This was a perfect storm for the Thunder. Oklahoma City did not have to contend with the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs. Both suffered rare quick exits in the playoffs.
Do you really believe the Lakers and Spurs are going to remain bad?
Sure, it could happen. Age is starting to bring San Antonio and Los Angeles back to the pack.
Still, it is hard to imagine the Lakers and Spurs, two of the top organizations in the NBA, not getting back to a level to contend pretty quick.
Plus, there are other franchises, like Dallas and Houston, that aren't likely to stand still.
What about Memphis? It took OKC seven games to knock out the Grizzlies.
How long Oklahoma City can keep its young stars together, and how moves impact the team, may depend on the future labor agreement.
Still, despite all of the factors, there are plenty of reasons for optimism.
"We're no different than 29 other teams in this league," said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks in a post-game press conference. "We want to win a championship. We respect the process that it takes to win one. Our guys do the same thing. They respect the heck out of the game.
"I don't know how soon we were going to get there but I can tell you this: that guys are not going to hope to get there. They're going to work to get there. They're focused on hitting every day on the practice floor as a day of improvement, a day of work. We have a good future if we continue to keep our mindset in the right place."
The Thunder won 55 games in the regular season. It won two playoff series. It went five games deep into a conference championship series.
This is obviously a good team. But, in the NBA, fame can float away just as quick.
Everybody has good players. There are teams that just need a role player here or there.
customized jerseys cheap
The Thunder knows it'll have to get better to move further in the playoffs.
"It's a very good year," said Brooks. "It's a year I'm proud of as a coach.
"But, we'll have to get better, including myself. I will evaluate myself and work this summer to get better going into next year. And, I expect the same out of all of our guys."
Most believe the Thunder will go as far as Durant will take them. Yes, Oklahoma City has a fine group of core players to go around Durant.
Russell Westbrook, who took some heat from the media during the playoffs, developed into an NBA all-star this season. James Harden blossomed into a possible star.
The Thunder has a handful of very nice role players.
Westbrook needs to become better in delivering passes to players, something that should come with experience and age.
Durant may be the league's best pure scorer but many believe he needs to become stronger to take advantage of his skills on the interior.
And, don't forget Brooks will become better organized as a coach. Some of his late-game decisions in the playoffs were questionable.
Yet, this is a very good season for Oklahoma City. Actually, it was terrific.
custom hockey jerseys
That doesn't automatically mean the Thunder will be better next year.
But, it leaves Oklahomans believing more NBA glory may be coming this way.
"Paying attention to details and things like that win you championships," said Durant. "That's what a good team like Dallas did and that's one thing we continue to work on.
"It's tough right now but I'm excited about what the future holds for us."
没有评论:
发表评论