Former Sonics Provide Glimpse Into the Future
Categories: Sonics
Don't look now, but the team formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics is hitting its stride. I realize a strong argument can be made that any 7-33 team that hits such a stride is hitting a very short stride, but remember, just a month ago, pundits were talking about the Thunder not winning more than seven games all year. Since then, they've looked like a team that could go .500 two years from now, which would be right in line with Sam Presti's Trailblazer-esque rebuilding blueprint. But the Thunder hadn't clobbered a really good team until last night, when they notched a wire-to-wire, 21-point victory over the Jazz in Oklahoma City.
One thing that's obvious beyond obvious is that Presti is a savvy talent evaluator. All three of his first-round draft picks over the past two years -- Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook -- are starting and averaging over 14 points per game, and all three scored more than 20 against the Jazz. Durant has become a more efficient scorer, and his rebounding has improved markedly with a return to his natural small forward position. The versatile, ridiculously athletic Westbrook is a shoo-in for the all-rookie team, and was the Western Conference's rookie of the month in December. Meanwhile, Green is a rock-solid 16 and 6 guy, and Presti recently added a promising (if a little soft) young center, Nenad Krstic, to atone for the mistakes of seven-footers past which permeated the Rick Sund era. Hence, the Thunder are but a low-post beast and a sixth man (which could theoretically end up being Green, an SF/PF tweener if there ever was one) away from being able to play with just about anybody.
I really wanted to hate this team, and took great pleasure in their awful start. But now that they're starting to look like the well-conceived work in progress I thought they'd be, it's like trying to hate the prodigal son. He may have disappointed you, but he's still your son -- and blood runs mighty thick.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
