OKC team of the next decade

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I am watching this young and talented team give the Lakers all they can handle and then some. This is one special group of guys. They can only get better and I say they win at least three titles before the decade is up.

As I watch them play the Lakers tonight they lead the Lakers in the first quarter 29 to 17.

I will say however that the Lakers have looked vulnerable for about a month now.

Still, the Thunder are looking great.

[teej]

Crowning them the team of the next decade? Premature.

Crowning them better than the Lakers? That's fine.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Crowning them the team of the next decade? Premature.

Crowning them better than the Lakers? That's fine.Mark my words OKC will be the best team in the next decade.

[CatNation]

People were saying the same thing about the Blazers two years ago. Having young talent doesn't guarantee anything for the future.

[Marvel]

The Blazers won 1 playoff game last year.The Thunder have beaten the world champs twice, in convincing fashion.They have the best GM in the business, they have a coach they respect and listen to.I don't think it's a stretch to say they're the team of the next decade at all just quietly.

[ziggy]

I don't know about them being team of the next decade BUT as long as they keep Durant healthy and happy, then they are going to be in that 55+ win range each and every season. He is unreal.

[bing!]

The Thunder have an air of unity about them and if Harden grows into a player he ought to... oh boy!

[SWedd523]

The Thunder have an air of unity about them and if Harden grows into a player he ought to... oh boy!

No worries. James Harden is a special player and will step into the SG role and be the guy that I always knew he would :D

[bobcatniners09]

Thunder has such a great core. They are definitely the team of the next decade. They are making noise this year when nobody said they would. Everybody is young and humble and extremely talented on that team. Throw in Durantula, youngest scoring champ ever, and this team might make everybody a believer this year.

I really wish we were in there situation.

[ND22]

The Thunder have an air of unity about them and if Harden grows into a player he ought to... oh boy!

I was going to bring this up. I read an article on ESPN.com about a month ago and what struck me about it was the unity of the team, they have put their egos in check, love playing with each other, and love playing for Scott Brooks. On top of that, they have all the pieces of a championship team, a superstar, a future all-star PG, and some great role and bench players. If they can find an upgrade to replace Kristic they'll be in even better shape.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I don't know about them being team of the next decade BUT as long as they keep Durant healthy and happy, then they are going to be in that 55+ win range each and every season. He is unreal.Maybe I am being a bit presumptuous but what you said Ziggy makes a lot of sense. OKC is so loaded with young talent and this season they look to get more. It does show how important a GM is and what it means to build through the draft.

While FA does give you a chance for immidiate success it usually is only good for three or four years. However when building a team through the draft a team CAN ensure they are a contender for maybe 8 or more years.

Watching OKC it is impressive also how Scott Brooks has these kids believing they can beat ANYBODY. The confidence for such a young group of guys is amazing. I do think the Lakers will pull out this series but the fact that OKC has given them a real scare is a testament to their head coach and GM. I wish our cats could have had half as much success through the draft as has OKC.

Another thing about Scott Brooks is that he believes in his rookies and it has paid off. Those that played from last season and those that are playing plenty this season. As great as coach Brown is, he could learn a lesson from coach Brooks.

I still believe our Bobcats have a widow of maybe four of five years to contend but at this time I would easily trade all our team except Crash for their players. The Western Conference is tougher and more loaded than the Eastern Conference and OKC had a 50 win season.

Does that mean I think our Bobcats suck or can't be contenders? Absolutely not!! What it does mean is that I think OKC is set up for a longer run as a top tier contender than our Bobcats are. Even if our Bobcats have several seasons of success they will never get as far as they could if Larry believed in playing rookies and they did well drafting and built the team that way.

I still will root for the Bobcats but will keep a close eye on OKC. It will be interesting to see where each of these teams are in just five seasons. ;)