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NBA: Separating Championship Contenders From Pretenders

By Clint Pemberton

Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react from the bench during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react from the bench during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder
ORating 98.8 (29th), DRating 103.3 (8th), Point Differential -4.1 (22nd), SOS 6th, Title odds +1500

Every other team in these rankings is almost guaranteed, barring catastrophic injuries to make the playoffs, however for the Oklahoma City Thunder, beset by injuries to superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, just qualifying for the playoffs is the goal. If they do grab one of the lower seeds, they will undoubtedly be the most dangerous seven or eight-seed we have ever seen, probably the only team ever seeded that low who could genuinely make some championship noise.

It is pointless to analyse the Thunder’s stats as upon the return of Westbrook, hopefully followed soon after by Durant, they will more into an entirely different and more dangerous team. We are not concerned with offensive or defensive ratings for the Thunder, we are concerned with the number 49, because to qualify eighth in the Western Conference meat grinder is likely going to take approximately 49 wins. Currently the Thunder have just four wins, to go with their 12 losses, therefore they will require approximately another 45 wins from the remaining 66 games to qualify, a .682 winning percentage. For context the Thunder won at a .720 clip last season and bearing in mind that neither Westbrook or Durant has returned yet.

Watching the Thunder play catch-up will be enthralling, they face a monumental task just to make the playoffs, and if they do, then they must overcome three rounds of playoffs in the hellacious Western Conference, giving away home court in each, just to make the finals.

Status – Too much has to go right – Pretender

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