Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

The 2017-18 iteration of the OKC Thunder possibly deepest ever

By Austin Sternlicht

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 07: Doug McDermott #25 of the OKC Thunder cant get a shot off in time at the end of the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on April 7, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 07: Doug McDermott #25 of the OKC Thunder cant get a shot off in time at the end of the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on April 7, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 12: Former NBA great Oscar Robertson waits to present Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder with the trophy for breaking Robertson’s triple-double record before the first half of a NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 12, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 12: Former NBA great Oscar Robertson waits to present Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder with the trophy for breaking Robertson’s triple-double record before the first half of a NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 12, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

2015-16 Thunder

This was arguably the best Thunder team in franchise history. Had it not been for a historic Klay Thompson performance in game six of the Western Conference, this group may have ended up as champions. However, one reason this team couldn’t get over the hump was its lack of depth. Look no further than game seven of that series against Golden State. The Thunder essentially played just seven men (The box score says Randy Foye played just five seconds).

But. Oklahoma City really went six deep that game. Kanter played nine minutes. Adams logged 25 minutes, and all the other guards and forwards logged at least 31. Dion Waiters played nearly 32 minutes, Roberson was at 39, Serge Ibaka played nearly 44, and Westbrook and Durant were both over 45 minutes. The lack of depth in this series clearly took a lasting toll on the players, as the Thunder managed just 88 points in the most important game of the season, well below their average for the series.

Related: Benefits of OKC Thunder keeping Enes Kanter out weigh negatives

Kevin Durant is clearly a better player than Paul George, but the 2016 Thunder could have badly used a reliable backup point guard like Raymond Felton. In addition, Durant should have been able to sit for more than five minutes of game time. He would have been able to do so with a quality backup wing like McDermott. Felton is clearly better than Randy Foye and Cameron Payne.

Meanwhile, Abrines and McDermott are better than Kyle Singler and Anthony Morrow. The only thing the 2016 Thunder have that the current team doesn’t is a shot creator off the bench like Waiters. Even so, the additions of Felton, McDermott, Abrines and Grant would have all been able to make up for that.

The 2016 team probably could have beaten the current team, solely due to the greatness of Kevin Durant, along with Ibaka and Waiters. However, it can certainly be argued this upcoming team will have more depth and be better equipped for a long playoff run.

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