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Oklahoma City Thunder: Five Questions Going Into The Season

By Joshua Lea

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) controls the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12, right) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12, left) controls the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12, right) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Just How good is the rest of the division?

This is a question that will be answered throughout the regular season. However, this is the first time in a long time that the Thunder are no longer the clear-cut favorites to win the northwest division. Many believe the Thunder will be topped by either Portland or Minnesota.

Minnesota is a team likely to make the biggest turnaround in the NBA this season. They have a ton of talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and, of course, Andrew Wiggins.

The biggest offseason addition is of course head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is a defensive guru in his own right.

Minnesota, if managed properly, could go from a 29-53 record last season to a 53-29 record this season. They will definitely be a team to watch this season.

Meanwhile, Portland is fresh off another impressive run in the playoffs. They went toe-to-toe with Golden State and lost in the Western semifinals 4-1.

The Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz will also be much improved coming into this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t expect for the northwest division to be as wide open as it has been in previous years.

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Whether OKC wins the division or not isn’t really a huge deal. They must make the playoffs. Winning the division would go a long way in ensuring a postseason appearance. The Thunder have the pieces needed to go great things this season.

The only thing is can they utilize all the talent correctly on the floor when clutch time presents itself.

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