The Oklahoma City Thunder continues to struggle, going 5-5 in their last ten games and dropping out of the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference once again. Now sitting a half game behind the San Antonio Spurs, they head to Phoenix to face a Suns team fighting for a playoff spot.
This is where the Thunder need to pick things up because, outside of the Dallas Mavericks, no one in the Western Conference playoff race is playing worse than the Thunder right now. With the Los Angeles Clippers, who beat the Thunder soundly in their last game against each other before heading into the playoffs, and even teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets holding winning records over their last ten, Oklahoma City is slumping at the wrong time.
If the Thunder head into the postseason on a losing streak, that could carry over and kill their chances of making it to their first NBA Finals appearance.
However, Phoenix is 7-3 over their last ten games and they are surging at just the right time to make a playoff run. They have passed the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz and have their sights locked on the Dallas Mavericks. The ageless Steve Nash is averaging a mind-boggling 12.6 assists a game while Marcin Gortat has turned into their best weapon, with 15.8 points and 9.8 rebounds a game.
Still, when looking at Oklahoma City and Phoenix, there is little comparison because the Thunder have a lot more talent than the Suns. Despite Phoenix surging and Oklahoma City stumbling, the Thunder still have Kevin Durant (27.8 points), Russell Westbrook (24.1 points), James Harden (16.4 points) and Serge Ibaka (8.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 blocks) on their roster.
There is no way a team like Phoenix should be able to match up to that. Unfortunately, the same should be said about the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, all who beat the Thunder since the start of March.
It is time for the Thunder to settle down and get things moving in the right direction once again. Otherwise, their postseason could end a lot soon than anyone could have believed.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and is an avid sports fan that has lived in Oklahoma for over 40 years. He used to religiously follow the Dallas Mavericks until Oklahoma City found a team to call their own.
Source: NBA.COM
Other articles by Shawn S. Lealos:
- Serge Ibaka Develops into One of the NBA's Best Power Forwards: A Fan's Take
- Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Los Angeles Clippers - 04.16.12: A Fan's Preview
- Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs Battle for No. 1 Seed: A Fan's Take
- Five Areas the Oklahoma City Thunder Must Improve for NBA Playoffs: A Fan's Take
- Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: A Fan's Preview
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