Fansided

Oklahoma City Thunder: The dynasty that wasn’t

By Andrew Ross

Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) lies on the court during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) lies on the court during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Down goes Westbrook

Even with how bad the Harden trade turned out, the Thunder returned the following season and still finished with a 60-22 record because their two best players did what they always do. Durant averaged 28.1 points (51 percent shooting), 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and his partner in crime – Westbrook – averaged 23.2 points (44 percent shooting), 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds.

With high expectations again, they started the playoffs by facing their former teammate and the Rockets. The Thunder were hungry and wanted their rematch with the Miami Heat, but then disaster struck.

In game two of the series against Houston, Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley ran into Westbrook’s right new and tore his meniscus. He was listed as out indefinitely at the time, but we now know that he never returned and the Thunder couldn’t make it past the second round without him. It was a season wasted.

Injuries are never predictable, but this one in particular just seemed impossible. Until that incident, Westbrook was always known as the NBA’s Iron Man due to never missing a game (didn’t miss a single game in college or through his first five years with the Thunder). It was devastating and came out of nowhere.

But still, all hope was not lost. After all, this was still the team of the future and there was no reason to freak out.

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

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