The Oklahoma Thunder Led By: Kevin Durant & Head Coach Scott Brooks

        The Oklahoma Thunder are having an extraordinary season. Who would have expected how well they were capable of playing. Their leader and league MVP candidate, Kevin Durant is having a remarkable season. On Sunday, February 21st, Durant scored 32 points. Let me tell you why this is extremely significant; Durant has now scored 25 points or more in 28 consecutive games, moving past Allen Iverson.  What makes Durant's accomplishment more impressive is that during this span, the Thunder are 20-8, including nine consecutive wins.
   
        The Thunder have a young nucleus of players led by Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Jeff Green. This is Durant's third year in the league and his best season by far. Durant is averaging a career bests in points (29.8), rebounds (7.5), and assists (2.9). His 29.8 scoring average is just 0.2 points behind the league-leader, LeBron James, on the season.
 
        Russell Westbrook had his second career triple-double last night as the Thunder won their ninth in a row. The former UCLA guard is doing an incredible job running the team and averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. Jeff Green is continuing to do a solid job at the forward spot for the Thunder; Green is coming off two straight games with double-doubles.  James Harden, the Rookie from Arizona State, is providing a tremendous spark, both offensively and defensively.
   
        All of these players, Durant, Westbrook, Green and Harden are former first-round picks from the last three draft classes. The management for the Thunder are doing a tremendous job scouting, drafting, and developing. Head Coach Scott Brooks has the Thunder sitting with the fifth best record in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and as a result, he should be considered one of the front runners for Coach of the Year honors.

        Just as a note, Thunder rookie and former first-round pick, Serge Ibaka, has issued a statement that he wants to be in the 2011 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk Contest. While playing in Spain two years ago, Ibaka claims he won a dunk contest two years ago with a dunk from the free throw line, just like Dr. J. and MJ.


By Steven Spector - 2-22-10