NBA: Western Conference Contenders And Pretenders

Mar 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts to drive the ball past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the game at Toyota Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Rockets 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts from the floor during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8: Oklahoma City Thunder – Pretender

With a healthy Kevin Durant, there’s no doubt the Thunder would qualify as contenders. Even in a first round matchup with the league-leading Warriors, a fully healthy OKC squad was as likely and capable of coming out of the West as anyone. But with no KD and Serge Ibaka banged up (at best), we have to go with pretender.

Here’s the thing about the Thunder: they’re still pretty good. But every team in the West is “pretty good” and against a team like the Dubs, Russell Westbrook would probably have to average something like 40 points, 15 assists, 15 rebounds and five soul-shattering Holsters-Guns-Stomps-Foot-And-Nods-Head-Accompanied-By-“BANG!” celebrations per game to even keep that first round series close.

I love watching Westbrook Unleashed without Durant, but with KD out for the rest of the year, this is an easy call. It’s also worth noting that even if Westbrook somehow does have another gear, the Thunder have been giving up 105.2 points per 100 possessions since the Enes Kanter trade (25th in the NBA).

Kanter was a nice upgrade for the offensive end, but before the deal, OKC was 11th in defensive rating. There’s no way in hell a Thunder team giving up that many points a night has a chance of hanging with one of the NBA’s highest scoring offenses in the first round.

Next: No. 7