The Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder maybe a young team led by Kevin Durant and playmaker Russell Westbrook, but their youth have been the team’s edge going into the playoffs.
The Thunder like to run, thanks to second-year guard Westbrook, whose jet-like court speed has been making Lakers veteran guard look like a grand dad in the four-day-old first round Western Conference playoff series.
Though Oklahoma is heading back to its home court carrying a 0-2 deficit, it seems to me that it’s just a matter of time before the Thunder could earn their first-ever playoff win since taking over the franchise of the Seattle Supersonics.
For one, the Lakers remain lackadaisical with their plays, having carried that attitude over to the post-season after finishing the regular season with a series of losses.
Kobe Bryant sure remains the league’s best endgame clutch player, but with the 14-year Los Angeles superstar nursing an assortment of injuries, it’s quite disappointing to see the remaining cast of Lakers support still playing out of tune at times.
Los Angeles’ team defense has been on and off as well. Quite similar to the switch on-switch off your energy switches.
Then throw in the nothing-to-lose kind-but-let’s-try-to-upset-the-defending-champs attitude of the Thunder, that could probably make the series, one playoff series to look at.
Durant has been superb on Game 2, scattering 32 points, rebounding from a 7-of-25 field goal shooting in Game One.
Yet, the Lakers victories were just nine and three points, certainly giving indication that the Thunder are beginning to solve some of their match up problems.
OKC’s young turks in the frontline are also making things difficult for LA considering that it registered 17 blocks in Game 2.
As the Thunder head back to Oklahoma City for Games 3 and 4, I expect nothing but fireworks for the boys of Scott Brooks.
Even if the Thunder eventually loses the series against the defending champs, I already congratulate them for a job-well-done this season.
OKC sure has a bright, bright future ahead.