Thunder Are Not Done By Any Means

By Addam Francisco

After Thunder GM Sam Presti announced that he was removing reigning MVP Kevin Durant from all basketball activities indefinitely, everyone thought that was pretty much it for the Thunder's season. Ever since that announcement the Thunder defeated two playoff-caliber teams. First the Atlanta Hawks who are the first seed in the Eastern Conference and today a convincing victory over the Miami Heat, who are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

The competitive play of Russell Westbrook has taken over the NBA as he keeps this sinking Thunder squad afloat. Russell had yet another triple-double, his tenth of the season. He is learning to elevate other aspects of his game when other aspects of his game aren't on point. Today against the Heat he wasn't shooting particularly well (5-of-16) for 12 points, but he elevated other areas of his game where he recorded 17 assists and 10 rebounds. This is something that other players in the league cannot do on a regular basis like Russell has. This year he averages more points per game than James Harden, more assists that Rajon Rondo and more rebounds than Lebron James. The only thing that's stopping him from being the NBA's MVP is the fact that the Thunder are 40-30 and eighth in the Western Conference, which in my opinion shouldn't be a deciding factor in that award.

Russell isn't the only player who's been playing at the top of his game, Enes Kanter has been playing at an All-Star level, he's been dominant and powerful in the post since he was traded to the Thunder. Sunday afternoon against the Heat he had 27 points and 12 rebounds off 12-of-20 shooting. Sam Presti and Scott Brooks can't help but be overly satisfied with his play thus far. Also, the play of Dion Waiters, Anthony Morrow, Mitch McGary and Steven Adams since he's come back from his hand injury has been impressive.

With the early season-exits from Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant, I'm not going to go out on a limb and say that they are the best team in the NBA but they aren't done, they will make the playoffs and I expect them to give presumably Golden State a run for their money in the first round.