Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 keys to contending in 2017-18

4. Roberson will have to guard the best perimeter player

In the West, there is James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. All three players play for the three best teams in the conference from last year. If Andre Roberson is able to guard these wing players effectively, then the Thunder will be able to compete.

Paul George is the 3 right now, but if Roberson is able to lighten George’s defensive responsibilities, then that will help the team that much more. Roberson is the key if the Thunder want to be a complete team. They need him to be a force on offense and defense. Westbrook and George will be able to turn defensive stops into offense with their skills in the open court.

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Roberson stepped up last year and produced enough offense. His free throw shooting will have to improve and he will have to be able to generate some kind of offense so he can be a threat on both sides of the court.

If the other team knows that he is just out there for defense, that can lead to the other team having an available defender to double any one of the Big Three. Roberson’s ability to cut and slash for easy baskets will be crucial to keeping him on the court. That in turn is where the free throw shooting comes into play.

His ability to slash is negated if the other team knows all they have to do is just foul him. Free throws for Roberson will have to be a prime focus in training camp. He has to start because you just can’t keep an All-Defensive team player from last year on the bench. The ability for an offensive team to be able to play defense will make them versatile and with an 82-game season, being versatile is key.

Even the bottom teams in the West have perimeter players that can make an impact. Andrew Wiggins is a player that comes to mind. The Minnesota Timberwolves added Jimmy Butler as well, so they will be a hard team to guard on offense. Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns is another one of those perimeter players. Booker had a 70-point game last year and was the youngest to do so in NBA history. Roberson’s defensive skill-set will be a big part of the Thunder’s success.