An promising offseason ended with the Thunder looking as vulnerable as the top-tier Western Conference teams they were supposed to have a border on.
Kevin Durant’s fractured foot has been the blow, but Anthony Morrow sprained his MCL. An arm rolled, and Jeremy Lamb’s back flared up.
Injuries are a part of each summer and preseason slate, and they are bad news for everybody. However, for OKC, a team in position to make the most of the Clippers’ minimal improvement and San Antonio’s theoretical decline, the onrush of all maladies was especially ill-timed.
The Thunder’s window is by no means closed. Fully healthy, they’re a threat to knock absolutely anybody off. And when there aren’t any lingering effects from the present laundry list of injuries (Durant’s in particular), they might even be favorites at the conference at that time the postseason rolls around.
At the exact same time, playing at less than full strength could damage Oklahoma City’s playoff positioning. Heading into the dancing as a No. 4 seed leaves 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.
Its own tower is more shaky than anticipated, although OKC belongs on the pedestal.

Read more: walker-sports.net