5 reasons Oklahoma City Thunder can win NBA Finals without Kevin Durant

1.Russell Westbrook

The first thing Westbrook did when he heard of the Durant news was circled every single time he plays the Warriors next season. Actually, let’s not kid ourselves he already circled those games and had the dates memorized during the NBA Finals.

Russell Westbrook is the definition of a guy playing with a chip on his shoulder. He is arguably the most passionate player in the league now and his demeanor is reminiscent of a young Kobe Bryant.

There is no doubt that this year more than ever, Westbrook comes in with a crater of a chip on his shoulders. Are you doubting his ability to carry a team deep into the playoffs? Because I’m not.

The Thunder saw a bit of what they would get in life without Durant in 2015, when Durant only played 27 games. It ended with the Thunder missing the playoffs, though. However, this is a different Thunder roster.

In that season Westbrook dealt with injuries himself, as did Serge Ibaka. The team had noticed flashes of Steven Adams, but this is a completely new guy. There is also the additions of Andre Roberson, Victor Oladipo, and more that make this practically a completely different roster.

It is a strong roster. It could be argued that had Durant returned, this would have been the best roster he had ever played with. The roster still has enough juice to get them into the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, it becomes Russell time. Westbrook could be averaging a triple-double next year, and will still make the Thunder one of the last teams you want to face in the playoffs.

He has the talent around him to do it, and how satisfied would Westbrook be to carry a team to the Finals the year that everybody counted them out. It seems goofy to count any team with a top five player on it out of the NBA Finals conversation. To count out Westbrook, and this deep Thunder roster may be a mistake at this stage of the game.

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