NBA Offseason Buzz: Thunder
Durant is on the verge of stardom, but questions remain about other young players
ESPN Insider
The Thunder had the NBA's fourth-worst record, which doesn't sound like much of an accomplishment until you consider that the team dealt with an abrupt change in cities and then a midseason change in coaches (from P.J. Carlesimo to Scott Brooks) and started 3-23. Drafting Arizona State shooting guard James Harden adds another solid piece to the Thunder core, but GM Sam Presti didn't find a big man worthy of his cap space. The natural growth of Kevin Durant, an uninterrupted summer of preparation and a full training camp with center Nenad Krstic should catapult them into the middle of the Western Conference pack, but flirting with the playoffs will have to wait until they add another piece.
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2009 NBA OFFSEASON BUZZ
Pacific Division
Northwest Division
Southwest Division
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Note: For definitions of all of John Hollinger's advanced statistics, click here.
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