Thunderous Intentions writer Rucker Haringer (@eyesonballs) will be providing regular Player Power Rankings for the Oklahoma City Thunder. With training camp still a few days away, here’s his take on the current roster and how he thinks it will all shake out. We welcome the opinions of our readers and welcome your feedback – let us know what you think of Rucker’s Rankings!
KD has style, but I’m tired of seeing him in street clothes Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant– I don’t care if he’s currently injured because KD is scheduled to be ready to go for the beginning of the season. Until we have concrete information that he won’t be available, our franchise cornerstone will hold down the #1 spot.
Russell Westbrook– Fortunately for the super athletic point guard, fashion sense doesn’t factor into my rankings. On the court, he’s nothing short of amazing. His competitive streak, self belief and freakish athleticism make him one of the NBA’s best point guards. The idea of being a pure point guard is no longer a relevant theme in basketball today. Westbrook is a hell of a PG by anyone’s definition.
Serge Ibaka– Let’s be honest, the top three spots are pretty easy. Ibaka may not be everyone’s perfect big man with his penchant for three point shooting and lack of post game, but he’s still an All-Star big. He has added the three point shot to his game and if he can find a way to create off the dribble just a bit he’ll be an unstoppable cog in the Thunder offense.
Steven Adams– I must admit that during Thunder games in my house you will often hear the word “kiwi” yelled when our New Zealand center makes a play. He may not be the right guy to start at center given his fit with the rest of the starters, but I think he’s clearly our fourth best player. His energy, tenacity and improving defensive game make him a reliable 30ish minute a night guy for the Thunder next season. If we can see him continue to build on his pick and roll chemistry with Westbrook don’t be surprised if his numbers take another step forward.
Enes Kanter– The Turk big man might not be able to guard me, but he can score at an elite level. If he can find a way to muster up even below average defense this season he will be a huge plus to this team. It’ll be interesting to see if that can happen and how his offensive game will fit while playing with a healthy Kevin Durant. He is one of the more volatile players on this list but he will start the season in the fifth spot.
Dion Waiters– If you’ve read my work elsewhere then you know that I’m not a big fan of the shoot first, shoot second 2 guard. If he can get his head right and embrace his role on this team he could catapult up to the four spot on this list. If, as I suspect is more likely, he becomes a selfish problem for this team he could drop like a stone.
Anthony Morrow– While I’m not high on Dion Waiters as a key member of a Thunder championship team I am very optimistic about the way Morrow fits with this group. He is a proven three point shooter who knows and embraces his role. This makes him a huge asset off the bench for this team. His floor spacing makes him a must play when Durant is taking a breather and when KD is on the floor, he can give him a lot of room. Similar to Kanter, if he can find a way to hold his own defensively, he’ll find a way to play big minutes for a really good Thunder squad.
D.J. Augustin– The diminutive backup point guard will help this ball club because he, like Morrow, can space the floor effectively. Unfortunately, he’s also a minus defender who will struggle to check the above average guards of the Western Conference. He’s got a good shot to hold this rating or even exceed it early in the year, but as Cameron Payne develops you’re likely to see DJ slide down the rankings.
Kyle Singler– The Oregon native is the opposite of most of the players above him on this list. He isn’t the flashy offensive talent, but his steady ball handling and defense will prove to be assets for the Thunder. He’s a very steady player, but he has to rediscover his three point shot if he expects to be a key contributor.
Andre Roberson– In most ways Roberson is the anti-Waiters. He is a willing defender whose hesitancy to shoot the ball is his biggest flaw. If, and only if, he develops a passable NBA jump shot he can shoot up these rankings. Nothing would please me more to see him grab a hold of Dion Waiters’ minutes as a result of his hard work and production.
Nick Collison– Almost a forgotten man last season for the Thunder, Collison is back again this year with a shiny new contract. While I question the quality of that business, you can’t question his effort. The former Kansas Jayhawk will do the little things this team needs to win close games and Billy Donovan will quickly come to trust him in key spots.
– Some people would put the Michigan man ahead of Collison but I think it’s too soon to make that leap. I love his energy and offensive game, but I’m not sure we can trust him in key moments yet. He will need to greatly improve his defense and perhaps more importantly, his ability to stay healthy if he intends to be a big part of this team. Just want to plant a seed here that if the Thunder make any sort of trades during the season, I could see McGary being the central outgoing piece.
Can McGary crack the rotation? Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Payne– If the rookie from Murray State finishes the year at 13 on this list I’m going to be very disappointed. I think he’s got a lot of ability and may take minutes away from DJ Augustin sooner, rather than later. Still, at first you’re going to see him in mop up duty only so he’ll stay near the bottom. More of a piece for the future than the present.
Steve Novak– This guy can really shoot the basketball. Unfortunately, that’s about all he can do. The Thunder tried very hard to deal him during the off season but were unable to find a palatable deal. So he’s back on the roster for this season as a sweet shooting zone buster/cheerleader.
Josh Huestis– Credit the Thunder for being a stand-up organization. It would have been easy for them to turn their back on their verbal agreement with the Stanford product after a so-so year in the D-League. Instead, he seems a lock to make the roster, but I’m not sure he’ll add much. I don’t think we will see him in any close games, we’ll just have to hope Sam Presti is smarter than all of us and Huestis develops into a rotation player in the long-term.
Dakari Johnson– I would prefer to see him on the roster as opposed to Huestis or even Novak, but I think he’s destined to spend the year in the D-League. If he does make the active roster his strengths will be post defending and the ability to use six personal fouls. Again, if he turns into a roster player in the long-term then credit Presti and company.
Alright, let me have it in the comments section and tell me what you think. Be on the lookout for this series all year long!
