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The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off an incredible comeback win against the Brooklyn Nets last week, which made many around the NBA take notice. The Thunder outscored the Nets by 20 points in a fourth quarter, fuelled by a monstrous effort from Paul George. PG13 scored 25 points in the quarter and his season-high total of 47 was instrumental to the Thunder winning a fourth consecutive game.
Billy Donovan's team have now won nine of their last twelve games, and after a 0-4 start to the season, the Thunder now sits top of the Western Conference standings.
There is currently an air of confidence around the organization, and the Thunder are still buzzing thanks to Paul George's decision to commit his peak years to the franchise, and the team has also been boosted in recent weeks by Russell Westbrook's return to fitness. With the Houston Rocket falling apart this season, the Thunder may prove to be the Golden State Warriors biggest competitors in the postseason, and here are three reasons why the Warriors should be concerned about the Thunder.
#3 Roberson's Return
Andre Roberson may be one of the worst offensive players in the NBA, although he more than makes up for this, thanks to his incredible ability on the defensive end. Last season when the Thunder had a starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson, Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, and Steven Adams, the team had a huge +14.5 net rating.
Despite Roberson missing the entire campaign so far, the Thunder already have one of the best defensive ratings in the NBA, and Roberson's return in February will further add to the team's defensive resolve. The 27-year-old will also have a full three months to get into peak condition for the playoffs, so he could prove to be the team's secret weapon in May.
#2 Strength of the second unit
In a playoff series against the Thunder, the Warriors will be able to keep at least two All-Stars on the court at all times, although there is no denying that OKC's bench could give the Thunder the advantage over a lengthy series.
After years of having one of the weakest benches in the NBA, the Thunder made huge improvements over the past offseason, adding both Dennis Schroder and Nerlens Noel. Both players had been regular NBA starters before landing in Oklahoma, and the pair were instrumental as the Thunder were able to win without Westbrook in the early part of the season.
In comparison, the Warriors bench is made up of low round draft picks, and ageing veterans. Both Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston have been poor this season, and the Warriors second unit will likely be overpowered by the Thunder's new depth. This spells major trouble for Steve Kerr, as in recent seasons the Warriors have been able to beat the Thunder while Russell Westbrook has been resting.
#1 Westbrook wants revenge
It is fair to say that Russell Westbrook has an on-court rivalry with both the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant.
Westbrook has sworn revenge on the Golden State Warriors ever since his team blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 Conference Finals, and Westbrook's desire to beat the Warriors only increased when just week's later, his longtime teammate Kevin Durant chose to join the team.
Durant and Westbrook's relationship has been tense ever since, and earlier this season KD stared down an injured Westbrook after blocking a Steven Adams shot. Westbrook is well known as the league's most competitive player, and he will have a burning desire to beat both Durant and the Warriors.
This desire will only be intensified by the fact that Durant is set to leave the Warriors this summer, so the 2019 playoffs may be Westbrook's last opportunity to beat them both.
