(Best E Casino) - When the NBA's board of governors overwhelmingly voted to approve the move of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 in April, the Thunder were born.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and Jeff Green are the building blocks for the franchise. Both players showed they have promising careers ahead of them during their rookie campaigns. Durant averaged a team-best 20.3 points and 4.4 rebounds, while Green registered 10.5 points and 4.7 boards per game.
Forwards Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox are the Thunder's top two frontcourt players, while Earl Watson will handle the point guard duties for P.J. Carlesimo's team.
After a 22-60 finish last year in Seattle, the Thunder are clearly rebuilding with Durant as the centerpiece.
2007-08 Results: 22-60 as the Seattle SuperSonics, did not make playoffs.
ADDITIONS: Desmond Mason (F) - Acquired from Milwaukee in three-team deal; Joe Smith (F) - Acquired from Cleveland in three-team deal; Kyle Weaver (G) - Trade with Charlotte; D.J. White (F) - Trade with Detroit.
SUBTRACTIONS: Francisco Elson (C) - Signed with Milwaukee; Adrian Griffin (F) - Traded to Milwaukee in three-team deal; Donyell Marshall (F) - Waived; Luke Ridnour (G) - Traded to Milwaukee in three-team deal.
2008 DRAFT PICKS: 1. (4) Russell Westbrook (G, UCLA); 1. (24) Serge Ibaka (F); 2. (32) Walter Sharpe (F, UAB); 2. (46) Trent Plaisted (C, BYU); 2. (50) DeVon Hardin (F, California); 2. (56) - Sasha Kaun (C, Kansas) - Traded to Cleveland.
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:
PG- Earl Watson SG- Kevin Durant SF- Jeff Green PF- Chris Wilcox C- Nick Collison
KEY RESERVES: Russell Westbrook (G); Damien Wilkins (G); Desmond Mason (F); Joe Smith (F); Mo Sene (C)
FRONTCOURT: Green joined Durant on the All-Rookie team last season after averaging nearly 11 points and five boards. The former Georgetown star finished strongly, netting 15.6 points and pulling down 6.3 boards per game over the final month. Carlesimo would love if he could see those numbers for an entire season and Green spent his offseason hoping to improve a questionable jumper.
Collison is a versatile big who is a solid game-to-game, double-double threat and Wilcox is an underrated power forward, although you would like to see him do a more consistent job on the boards.
BACKCOURT: The 6-foot-9 Durant has incredible offensive skills and could be a future scoring champion. He spent the summer trying to add bulk to his slight frame and that should help him improve his subpar rebounding numbers.
Watson is an underrated point that can push the ball but he is just holding the job for Westbrook, the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.
BENCH: The Thunder needed some depth and brought in swingman Desmond Mason along with veteran forward Joe Smith as part of the three-way trade that sent Luke Ridnour to the Bucks. Mason, an Oklahoma State product, is a career 12.5 ppg scorer and should be the top offensive option for Carlesimo when he looks to the bench. Smith is a solid rebounder and low-post defender that should provide toughness.
"With Desmond, we really feel strongly about his toughness," general manager Sam Presti said. "It kind of feeds into the identity that we're trying to build with our team. And with Joe, he adds depth to the frontline, and ability to shoot the ball. And both of them again are going to add some stability and leadership to the young core that we have in place."
The highly-touted Westbrook arrives after just two seasons at UCLA and has future star written all over him. A terrific athlete that is lightning quick, Westbrook didn't play much point in college so Carlesimo will let him play caddy to Watson until he gets the hang of things.
Center Mo Sene is still recovering from offseason knee surgery but has shown energy and a presence on the floor in the preseason.
"He plays with a lot of energy. He's grabbing rebounds, blocking shots and dunking on guys. That's good to see," Durant said.
Rookie D.J. White, taken with the 29th overall pick, had a benign growth removed from his jaw and will be sidelined four to six months while he heals from surgery. Meanwhile, fellow first-rounder Serge Ibaka, an 18-year-old 6- foot-11 player, will likely stay overseas.
OUTLOOK: This season certainly doesn't look promising for the Thunder on the floor but the future looks bright.
When you add Westbrook to a nucleus that already contains Durant and Green, you have to feel good about the next two-to-three years.
