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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) points into the stand in game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) points into the stand in game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Predictions

Russell Westbrook will be fearsome to behold on most nights, and though he’ll fall just short of actually averaging a triple-double for the whole season, he’ll come about as close to replicating Oscar Robertson’s unbelievable feat as anyone in the modern era.

Oladipo and Adams are set for breakout seasons, but OKC’s perimeter shooting woes will make life difficult for Westbrook’s penetration and for Donovan’s rotation. The Thunder’s crowded frontcourt is bound to make somebody upset, and Enes Kanter trade rumors — warranted or not — will crop up at some point.

Thanks to their Westbrook-Oladipo backcourt, the Thunder will be able to overwhelm teams with their athleticism and quickness, though their lack of three-point shooting will make them a bit easier to defend in the half court.

Next: 2016-17 Win Projections For All 30 NBA Teams

Behind Westbrook, a deep frontcourt and the league’s most powerful rebounding team, the Thunder win 45 games and return to the playoffs as the West’s seventh seed. They fail to make it past the first round, but the future looks considerably brighter as Blake Griffin — a former Oklahoma legend and native — hits free agency with his eye on OKC.

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