Oklahoma City Thunder 2014-15 Preview

[Shamrock32]

I have recently rejoined the CelticsBlog family and have been doing their previews for all 30 NBA teams in their annual SBNation team preview project. Each article includes a breakdown of last season, a recap of the team’s summer, a full depth chart, keys to this season and predicted standings.

Next up is the hungry Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's a snippet:

X-FACTOR - Jeremy Lamb
One of the main ingredients Oklahoma City has lacked since the departure of Kevin Martin is a reliable third scorer. With Sefolosha out of the picture, Lamb is likely going to receive more opportunity than ever, and he will have a chance to elevate his game to new heights. On the surface, Lamb is a terrific athlete that plays well off the ball and is a legitimate threat to score from most areas on the floor. However, his role decreased in the second half of last season and he played just 9.1 minutes per game in the playoffs.

The starting shooting guard position has yet to be declared, but with two years under his belt in Scott Brooks' system, the spot may be Lamb's to lose. Anthony Morrow will give him a run for his money in what should be an hard-fought battle in training camp, but if Lamb can step up and put together a breakout year, it would help the team as much as any other factor you could name.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
With Kevin Durant coming off an MVP season and Russell Westbrook finally at full strength, you can expect the Thunder to contend for a championship and play better basketball with Batman and Robin together for more than half the season. This team isn't going anywhere, and they're as hungry as ever to get over the hump and not only advance to the Finals for the first time since 2012, but take home the hardware.

Dethroning San Antonio is one hell of a task but of all Western Conference competitors, Oklahoma City has the best chance to get it done.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
1st - Northwest Division
2nd - Western Conference

FULL ARTICLE --- OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 2014-15 PREVIEW - CELTICSBLOG.COM

What do you guys think of OKC this year? Is 2015 the year they finally get over the hump and win the championship?

 

[Shamrock32]

Link fixed lol

 

[daboywonder2002]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/r...up/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

long article so ill just post the main quotes.

I want to be a starter,” Jackson said. “I’ve always wanted to be a starter. I’ve always wanted to be great. All the greats I’ve seen started, so that’s kind of the mold.”

“I’ve always had confidence in myself,” Jackson said. “I’ve definitely had doubts in myself, but most of the time, I’m a very confident individual. I believe I put in the work, and I believe I’m blessed by my God to do some miraculous things. I think we all have (been blessed) in life, and we’ve just got to find out what it is. I just want to go out there and compete, and I guess that’s probably where my competitive nature comes from.

“I feel like I’m blessed beyond wildest measures. So to me, I don’t want to – this is just how I feel, I don’t know how people will take it – I don’t want to disrespect my God by settling. I think me and everybody else has a reason and a chance to go out there and be great in whatever aspect they want in life, and I’ve always tried to do my best. That’s kind of how I approach life. My family taught me, and especially my brothers growing up, that I always wanted a chance to be great. That’s my destiny.”

 

[daboywonder2002]

thank god fisher and butler are gone. lot of questions though.

is russ healthy?

is lamb finally ready to emerge?

can reggie accept his role? do you trade him or sign him to an extension

can steven adams actually be a defensive anchor, calling out defensive plays?

will kd sign an extension?

 

[Shamrock32]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/r...up/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

long article so ill just post the main quotes.

I want to be a starter,” Jackson said. “I’ve always wanted to be a starter. I’ve always wanted to be great. All the greats I’ve seen started, so that’s kind of the mold.”

“I’ve always had confidence in myself,” Jackson said. “I’ve definitely had doubts in myself, but most of the time, I’m a very confident individual. I believe I put in the work, and I believe I’m blessed by my God to do some miraculous things. I think we all have (been blessed) in life, and we’ve just got to find out what it is. I just want to go out there and compete, and I guess that’s probably where my competitive nature comes from.

“I feel like I’m blessed beyond wildest measures. So to me, I don’t want to – this is just how I feel, I don’t know how people will take it – I don’t want to disrespect my God by settling. I think me and everybody else has a reason and a chance to go out there and be great in whatever aspect they want in life, and I’ve always tried to do my best. That’s kind of how I approach life. My family taught me, and especially my brothers growing up, that I always wanted a chance to be great. That’s my destiny.”

I love Jackson and I think he can become a starter, but I don't know if it's ideal to start him alongside Westbrook. I guess you could always sub one out halfway through the first quarter and bring them back when the other takes a breather, but I think it would be better for OKC to put more of a floor spacer out there to start games. Either Lamb or Morrow, and then let Jackson run the show with the second unit and play him in spot minutes with Westbrook.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson ended up leaving OKC at some point. He'll probably eventually get paid more than they would like.