Oklahoma City Thunder: League Pass Ranking

Oct 17, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives in for a basket past Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the second quarter at Intrust Bank Arena. Toronto won 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 7

Oct 17, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Intrust Bank Arena. Toronto won 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Category No. 1: Relevance/Zeitgeist

The Thunder have won at least 61 percent of their games over the last five years. They should do that again and are a legit title contender. They are as relevant as they come.

The criteria was “relevance to the playoff picture,” “relevance to NBA junkies on the Internet,” and “general day-to-day relevance.”

Check. Check. And check.

The Thunder fit all three categories.

You may be thinking that they be a little less relevant with Kevin Durant out the for 6-8 weeks with a Jones fracture, but I couldn’t disagree more. People will be tuning into every one of those games to see what happens. Just how crazy is Russell Westbrook going to be when he is the main guy? What adjustments does Scott Brooks make? Who starts?

It is about as interesting of an early regular season storyline as there is (besides LeBron James and the Cavaliers). They are going to be one of the most relevant teams in the beginning, especially to the NBA junkies.

Grade: 9

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder