An offseason ended with the Thunder looking as vulnerable as the Conference teams they were assumed to have a border on.
Anthony Morrow sprained his MCL, although kevin Durant’s fractured foot was the biggest blow. Reggie Jackson rolled an ankle, and Jeremy Lamb’s back flared up.
Injuries are part of each summer and preseason slate, and they’re bad news for everyone. However, for OKC, a team in position to take advantage of the Clippers’ advancement and the theoretical decrease of San Antonio, the onrush of maladies was particularly ill-timed.
The Thunder’s window is by no means closed. Healthy, they are a threat to knock anybody off. And if there aren’t any lingering effects from the current laundry list of injuries (Durant’s in particular), they may even be favorites in the seminar at that time the postseason rolls around.
At precisely the same time, Oklahoma City’s playoff positioning could be hurt by playing at less than full power. Heading to the dance as a No. 4 seed makes reaching the last round a whole lot harder. So Russell Westbrook Ibaka and second-year breakout candidate Steven Adams must compensate for their teammates’ production.
OKC belongs on the contending base, however its own tower is shakier than expected.
Garry