OK first of all, Durant "does not need to get better offensively". Player 2010 TS% Pierce 0.565 Durant 0.571 Bryant 0.545 LBJ 0.604 (WTF?!?!) So basically your feeling of Durant's shot not missing is just your mind playing tricks on you. As far as efficiency goes Durant was more efficient than Pierce or Bryant. Sure Durant performed terribly in the playoffs, but that's mainly because he went against the best wing defending team in the league, and the rest of their team lacks any other reliable scoring threat. The Thunder's main problem is offense DESPITE Durant's presence. Green is really an SF playing PF, they need a low post scorer, a 6th man and most importantly, a superior perimeter threat beside Durant. Personally I blame it on James Harden being a bust. Sure he plays good D, but Sefelosha already plays better D and the Thunder didn't have to waste a 3rd pick on him. If they got a legit 20 pt scorer to play with Durant and WB, their offensive droughts will lessen considerably. As far D goes the Thunder is actually pretty solid. WB, Durant, Harden and esp. Sefolasha are all above average defenders, so even if they lack a C their defense was actually better than ours this season.
i'd like to add that in addition to their cap space they also have ending contracts of collison and kristic which = about $11M. the hornets and pacers might be interested in that cap relief for a player like okafor or murphy.
Everything seems perfectly placed for the Thunders. With a good coach, that team would be unstoppable.
I'd hardly call Harden a bust. Sure, Curry or Evans might have been a better pick, but the most important task for Presti is to keep Durant happy. Harden hasn't been consistent this year, but he has been very very good on occasions. He's not supposed to be *the* scoring option, but rather an efficient 3rd/4th fiddle that multi-tasks while not upsetting the meal ticket. As a 20 year old rookie, he's handled that role sufficiently. For people judging the performance of players based off the defense of the Lakers in the playoffs? Please stop.
Kristic was better than this before his injury, maybe next year he'll be better recovered from injury. Ibaka seems like the kind of backup PF/C that would be great for the ROckets- athletic, long, and strong who can block shots, rebound and finish strong
