Fansided

NBA Contenders and Pretenders

By Luke Dahlgren

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Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

CONTENDER: Oklahoma City Thunder

The race for the number one seed in the West remains the most compelling in the NBA right now. And while the possibility of home court advantage throughout the playoffs remains a key motivator, the biggest reason is that neither the Golden State Warriors nor the San Antonio Spurs are eager to play Oklahoma City in the West semifinals.

The Thunder’s hold on the NBA’s third seed is not as strong as it was earlier in the season. The inconsistent Los Angeles Clippers are breathing down their necks at only a game and a half behind, while the Spurs now maintain a twelve game lead for the second seed.

The main question mark surrounding the Thunder remains the element that has killed their playoff runs in the past: Do they have the depth and offensive creativity to compete in a war of attrition with the West’s top teams?

The elements that have made the Thunder great before have been mixed this season. The stars have been electric – Kevin Durant is again close to completing a 50-40-90* season, while Russell Westbrook seems capable of dropping a triple-double on any night (although his 28.1% fourth quarter FG% since the All-Star Break is troubling). Serge Ibaka’s production has also dipped since the All-Star Break, but he remains a phenomenal third banana.

What remains promising for the Thunder is their team efficiency and rebounding on offense. Only the Warriors score more points per 100 possessions, 112.7 to 109.2, while the Thunder remain at the top of the league in offensive rebound percentage, claiming 30.6% of possible rebounds off missed shots. This is in large part thanks to the work of Ibaka, center Steven Adams and leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate Enes Kanter. The backup center has been shooting 57.4% from the field and  pulling down five offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.

This depth down low could enable the Thunder to maintain control over possessions and scoring efficiency. That’s what the Dubs and the Spurs are worried about.

*A 50-40-90 season is when a player shoots at least 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the 3-point arc and 90% at the free throw line. Durant was the last qualifying player to do so in 2012-13. Since 1993-94, only Durant, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki have achieved this feat.

Next: Pretender: Memphis Grizzlies

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