With the OKC Thunder trading their superstar to the Houston Rockets it vaults one team into title contention and the other into launching a new era. TI examines how the teams matchup in 2019-20.
To say no match versus the Houston Rockets will ever feel the same again might be the greatest understatement in franchise history. It was one thing to be reminded of how the OKC Thunder traded James Harden reportedly over a small dollar disparity. Yet, with the Russell Westbrook trade, the situation moving forward will be like rubbing salt into an open wound.
After Paul George dropped his trade request bomb the OKC Thunder had little choice but to trade Russell Westbrook to give him a shot at winning a title. After all the Brodie was always loyal to OKC and gave his blood, sweat, and tears even dragging the team to the postseason the year after Durant defected.
They’ll be no hard feelings about Westbrook leaving from the Thunder Nation faithful, but having to witness him back with Harden will sting. It’s somewhat of a double-edged sword because, on one hand, you want to see Westbrook win a gold ball. But if that happens in Houston it will be a constant reminder of what could’ve been in OKC.
The big question in media circles is how successful the new Rockets backcourt can be with two high usage players and an offensive system built for dunks and 3-pointers. Pundits are falling decisively on both sides. One group is adamant Westbrook’s poor perimeter shooting and lack of ballhandling will be a problem. The other side is equally convinced Westbrook will shine in D’Antoni’s system and that both he and Harden will do whatever is necessary to make it work.
Recently on The Jump, Kendrick Perkins gave about as good of an argument as I’ve heard on the pro side. When Westbrook led the U.S. Gold Medal Olympic squad he did so as a shooting guard entering off the bench and without the primary ballhandling responsibilities. And, in his back-to-back All-Star MVP turns he also came in off the bench as the shooting guard.
As Thunder fans we’re aware of Westbrook doing whatever is necessary to win. If there was any doubt of that, one need only look back to last season. He acquiesced to make Paul George the primary scorer. Until PG got hurt he was a leading candidate in both MVP and DPoY awards. His slide had more to do with injury than Westbrook.
It’s well documented Westbrook is almost OCD in terms of his habits and patterns. So, it’s not a stretch to think by changing up his game so much to help George he hurt his own rhythm.
Regardless of what happens in Houston, this team will be under the microscope all season.
The Basics:
2018-19 Record: 53-29
Playoff Seed: Were the 4th seed in the West. Defeated the Jazz (4-1) in round one, lost to the Warriors in round two (2-4).
Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni begins his fourth season as the bench boss.
Points per game: Ranked 11th (113.9) | Opponent points per game: Ranked 10th (109.1)
Pace: Ranked 26th (97.9) | Offensive Rating: Ranked 2nd (115.5) | Defensive Rating: Ranked 17th (110.7)
Vegas Odds:
Win-Loss: 53.5 games
Odds to NBA Title: +797
Odds to Win Conference: +445
* Odds courtesy of The Action Network.
The OKC Thunder won the 2018-19 regular-season series against the Rockets three games to four. This year the teams play three times.
Next up, let’s look at the offseason changes made by the Rockets and review what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other.