—
Coming into this season, most would have thought that the biggest challenge to the Oklahoma City Thunder's Western Conference crown would be the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers brought in Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, as well as reserve Antawn Jamison, meaning that, on paper, they had upgraded a weak point guard position, improved at center with Howard over Andrew Bynum, and added some much-needed depth with Jamison.
As they say, that's why the games aren't played on paper. They're played on the hardwood, and that's where the Lakers have looked absolutely terrible.
One of the most talented rosters in the NBA has only managed a 10-14 record, and the Lakers aren't on the upswing, either. They've lost six out of their last eight games, despite the fact that Kobe Bryant is putting up career offensive numbers even at this late stage in his NBA career.
It's not time to write the Lakers off just yet. Howard is still recovering from offseason back surgery, and is clearly not 100 percent, and Nash has sat out much of the season with a leg injury.
However, there is some indication that this roster, with Mike D'Antoni as the head coach, just doesn't work well together.
Steve Nash is a pick-and-roll point guard, playing with a 2-guard in Kobe Bryant who has never played in a pick-and-roll offense. Quite the contrary, Bryant excels in isolations and post-ups, usually controlling the ball for much of the shot clock.
Dwight Howard, once he gets back to his normal, athletic self, could do well in a pick-and-roll offense, but has been on the record asking for more touches on the low block.
D'Antoni is a coach well-known for running high-tempo offenses in Phoenix with Nash and most recently with the New York Knicks. But this Lakers team is older, and not built to run the floor like teams he has coached in the past.
No one seems to be on the same page, and there are some fundamental differences in the styles and philosophies of the players and coaches on offense.
On top of that, the Lakers' defense has been horrible all season.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder has been cruising. Despite concerns about how the team would fare without star sixth-man James Harden, Oklahoma City is 19-4 and has won 10 games in a row, dating back to Nov. 24.
Even while backup point guard Eric Maynor works back into shape after injury, and newcomer Kevin Martin continues to become more comfortable with his new teammates, the Thunder looks to be the favorite to repeat as Western Conference champions at this early point in the season.
Right now, the three teams that appear to be the biggest threats to the Thunder are the San Antonio Spurs (18-6), the Memphis Grizzlies (14-5) and the Los Angeles Clippers (16-6). For what it's worth, Oklahoma City has already lost to the Spurs and the Grizzlies this year, and needed overtime to beat the Clippers on Nov. 21 at home.
It's still early, but right now the Thunder looks to be right on track, and the Lakers have a long ways to go before being reconsidered as a potential Finals team out of the Western Conference.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Kevin Martin, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 vs. Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Richard A. Rowe/OKC Thunder photo
Discussion
Blog: Thunder threatened by some, but not the Lakers
- Sports
-
-
Cobble asks for more aggression
The main goal for Head Coach Tom Cobble ahead of another Fightin' Chicks football season is to get a more emotional response from his players, and that process begins with the Purple and White scrimmage tomorrow.
-
Summer starts life without Lane, seniors for Chicks baseball
After a year with Lane Smith as the number one pitcher on the mound, Fightin' Chicks baseball will get their first taste of life without him and other seniors in summer league play starting this weekend.
-
Thunder season ends as fatigued Durant flames out
Whether it was frustration, disappointment, exhaustion or all of the above, Kevin Durant understandably hung a low head after Wednesday’s 88-84 loss to Memphis that saw the Thunder bow out of the NBA playoffs.
-
Chickasha's Smith signs with Seminole State
Lane Smith, pitcher and outfielder for the Chickasha High School baseball team for the past two seasons, will continue his baseball career at Seminole State College after signing his letter of intent Thursday morning.
-
Chickasha football continues effort toward playoff return
The Chickasha High School football team began spring practice this week, and in head coach Tom Cobble’s third season the Chicks will try to finally take that step back to the playoffs after just missing the last few years.
-
Chickasha native returns to Mt. SAC, leads team to title
-
Thunder on the ropes after loss to Grizzlies on Monday
-
Oliver earns fourth in state high jump
The Chickasha High School boys track and field team placed 24th overall at the 5A state meet, led by high jumper Shaq Oliver, the only scoring participant for either Chickasha team.
-
Tuttle loses in semifinals to Berryhill
The Tuttle High School baseball team ended its season in the state semifinals Friday against the top-ranked team in class 4A.
-
Drovers' season ends in extra innings against OCU Stars
The Drovers played a strong ball game with 14 hits and six runs but fell to the No. 2 Oklahoma City Stars in the 11th inning of an elimination game in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round on Friday night at OCU.
- More Sports Headlines
-
