1. Thunder fail to make the playoffs
There’s a lot of hope in Oklahoma City this year. With George locked down, Carmelo Anthony gone and some solid talent filling the bench unit, it seems like the Thunder are primed for a successful campaign in 2018-19.
Unfortunately for fans and the franchise, that won’t be the case.
First, let’s be clear — this team is playoff-worthy heading into this season. Anytime you have Russell Westbrook and George on the same roster, good things are bound to happen. So why this bold prediction that vacation will begin for the Thunder in mid-April?
It’s all about the amount of postseason contenders in the Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers should all be locks. Other teams like the Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets figure to also be in the race for much of the season.
Last year, the distance between the fourth seed (Oklahoma City) and the first team out of the playoffs (Denver) was two games. With so much competition in the West again, it wouldn’t come as any sort of surprise if the race was just as tight. That means someone is going to be left out.
Obviously, the prediction here is that the Thunder are on the outside looking in when the regular season comes to a close. Why? Well Westbrook’s one-man show can be a hindrance at times, and George can be inconsistent offensively. Roberson’s return will be positive, but it’s unclear how effective he’ll be. Honestly, it could just come down to bad luck.
Whatever way you want to spin it, Oklahoma City will be watching the postseason from the couch.