Why Kevin Durant's "Jones fracture" is a blessing in disguise for OKC?

Three weeks before the FIBA World Cup was set to begin and a week after Paul George's horrific lower right leg injury during a USA Basketball scrimmage, the reigning MVP of the NBA Kevin Durant decided to withdraw from the USA National Basketball team for the World Cup citing physical and mental fatigue.He did not want to risk injuring himself like George did and sit out games during the NBA season yet here is where the irony comes in. On Saturday during team practice, Durant sustained a "Jones fracture” in his right foot which keeps him out of action for a minimum of six to eight weeks depending upon recovery. A Jones fracture is an injury to the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot. The recovery time has been predicted based on previous cases of Jones fracture in the NBA. The Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said that Durant will undergo the usual treatment for this fracture-a surgery.Although it might be extremely frustrating to have the best player on your team, let along the best player in the league sit on the bench in a suit during games, this injury could actually be a blessing in disguise for the franchise.Here’s how:

#5 Team realizes importance of team play

Jeremy Lamb and Steven Adams being greeted by Kevin Durant

At the end of the day, it’s only when five players play in complete sync with each other that games can be consistently and comfortably won. When Durant led the team last season to a 14-2 record while All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook was out, he not only put up big numbers but made the lesser known players better as well.

We saw players like Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson and Steven Adams raise their games to the next level under the leadership of Durant in order to make up for the absence of Westbrook on the floor.

In last year’s Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Thunder looked completely out of sync. Their play looked more like every one of the five players taking turns at trying to create something themselves.

Maybe with their savior Durant on the sidelines, the team could face reality and start playing more team basketball rather than hero basketball.

#4 Lesser expectations on a young Thunder team

The average age of the Oklahoma City roster is 26 years and 163 days. They might not be the youngest team in the league, but they are certainly among the top 3 youngest legitimate contenders.

There’s no doubt about the fact that the pressure and expectations on the team would be much lesser with Durant sitting out. The young team has played magnificent basketball under pressure so it would be a treat to these young future stars to enjoy the game while playing it without any pressure.

This period of time is vital for Head Coach Scott Brooks to explain and emphasize the importance of playing as a team and enjoying the game when on the floor.

#3 Westbrook\'s maturation

Remember the transformation that Kobe Bryant went through when Shaquille O’Neal left the Lakers in 2004? Well, Westbrook will have to bring alterations and modifications in the same manner to his game.

With the 5 time NBA Champion Bryant involving his teammates was the key, on the other hand with Westbrook the change in his game has nothing to do with passing as he is established himself among the top 3 point guard in the league. Also, the number of double-doubles he registered in points and assists last season are a clear indication that there is nothing wrong with his passing.

With him, its the ability to make smart decisions on the court which will help his team win that Westbrook is struggling with. He is one of the best, if not the best offensive rebounding guards in the league but that rebound possesses no value if he decides to launch a unnecessary, off-balance contested long range shot early in the shot clock.

While being the leader of a team, the bucks stops at you so during a loss Westbrook’s flaws will be pointed out that much more than when Durant is there. This could possibly bring about a much needed maturation period for the guard.

#2 Westbrook\'s only shot at the MVP

This season is Westbrook’s only legit shot winning league MVP honors

Let’s face it, the chances of Durant being named the league MVP would have been much lesser had Westbrook played all games last season. The 16 game stretch when Westbrook was out, the Thunder were almost undefeated and no guesses why. It was Durant calling the shots, making the clutch plays and more importantly carrying his team consistently on a winning streak.

With KD out, this could possibly be the only season Westbrook stands a shot at making it into the Top 3 in voting for the league MVP. He has shown that he has the capability to dominate games even with Durant on the floor, just imagine what he can do with no Durant.

The guard out of UCLA registered a triple-double in just 19 minutes of playing time last season. If he is healthy he would have one of the best all round stats across all players and not only guards. Nonetheless, when it comes to Westbrook it isn’t about the figures as it is about the PER (Player Efficiency Rating).

#1 Better now than in March or April

Kevin Durant’s injury is bad but it could have come at a worse time.

How about considering Durant here for a second?

After looking at how every person on the roster possibly benefits from the “Jones Fracture”, fortunately there is something in here for KD as well. The normal timeline for a successful recovery after surgery from the fracture is six to eight weeks. It would be about 10 to 11 weeks before he starts playing his regular minutes on the floor.

So 11 weeks is about 3 months which takes to the first couple of weeks of January 2015 which is not such a bad time to welcome back your team’s best player. It wouldn’t be suprising if Thunder fans are breathing a sigh of relief that it’s a non-serious injury with a relatively shorter recovery time.

Durant would be mentally and physically fresher when the Playoffs come thanks to the nearly three months layoff. Taking into considerations their title chances, the Thunder should bring Durant back very slowly keeping in mind the bigger picture that is the post-season.