For Thunder and Durant, it is now or never
The Oklahoma City Thunder are desperate. The 2015-16 season is likely the last where they will have a chance to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy over their collective heads for quite some time, with the knowledge that pending free agent Kevin Durant is probably on the next plane out this offseason.
Durant is 26 years old and at the peak of his athletic powers. He has combined with superstar point guard Russell Westbrook to give the Thunder a 40-16 record, somehow only good enough for third place in the Western Conference standings. Only due to the incredible play of the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs – neither have lost a home game despite 52 combined contests – Oklahoma City is all but being forgotten about.
The Thunder have had ample chances to be great in the past, riding the duo of Westbrook and Durant and at times, the trio which includes James Harden coming off the bench. Yet, general manager Sam Presti has not been able to find the right mix to get over the top. Only once has Durant made it to the Finals with Oklahoma City, and it was beaten badly by Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.
Since that 2011-12 season, the Thunder has made runs at the proverbial belt but continue to fall short. Oklahoma City won 59 games the following season but lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the conference semifinals. The 2013-14 campaign saw the Thunder roll to 60 wins and a fourth straight division title, only to fall short in the playoffs against San Antonio in the conference finals.
For Durant, the playoffs must look more daunting than ever. Oklahoma City will be a heavy favorite to beat whoever the sixth seed is, but after that? Things look very rough. The Thunder will likely face the Spurs in the semifinals, something of a tremendous battle. The problem is on the interior, where Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge are going to go to work. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is arguably the best defender in the game, and he’ll take on Durant.
Ultimately, the time is now for the Thunder. After all the dust settles and the final word is spoken on this season,every team in the league is coming after the former MVP. The salary cap is going to spike in the NBA with the new television money, perhaps increasing as much as $30 million.
Durant’s hometown team, the Washington Wizards, are going to put on a full-court press. The Warriors are said to be interested, and anybody who loves basketball outside of Oklahoma City would love to see that happen. The New York Knicks are a mess and a longshot, but perhaps the idea of being paired with Kristaps Porzingis in the World’s Most Famous Arena would entice Durant.
Regardless, it is about the here and now for the Thunder, who have one more chance to get the job done.
