With Durant out

[SOD 21]

I anticipate Oklahoma City going 10–7 in their first 17 games without Kevin Durant and they likely would've been 12-5 or 13-4 with him, so his absence will likely cause them to lose three games or so in the standings. It is certainly possible that this injury stretches is a little bit beyond 17 games as well.

With how competitive the Western Conference is and how OKC was going to be battling San Antonio and Los Angeles Clippers for best record in the conference, this injury could certainly cost them several spots in the seedings and possibly cost them home court in the second round and conference finals.

Oklahoma City desperately needs some of their young players to step up like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, and also Steven Adams taking a significant step forward this season. It is possible that this injury could help them in the long run by forcing Scott Brooks to give significant playing time to some other young players to accelerate their growth as players.

[Darius]

It may be a blessing in disguise.

Durant gets less wear in season, potentially lamb or jones turns into a guy they can use.

They'll still get a top 4 seed.

[Le Shaqtus]

I expect him to chuck his way to 30ppg on 40%

[lilteapot]

Record during this Stretch?

at worst, 12-5

[swagga]

It may be a blessing in disguise.

Durant gets less wear in season, potentially lamb or jones turns into a guy they can use.

They'll still get a top 4 seed.

potentially chronic foot injuries to your superstar player are NEVER a blessing..

[swagga]

at worst, 12-5

maybe if it were to happen in march... but your offensive central point isn't going to play on a team that is just coming out of training camp, you can't expect everything to go perfect.

Imo they should be at .50 with that schedule. Besides the games against solid sides (clips, houston, memphis, brooklyn) you should not forget the b2bs, the long trip east and playing in some really tough arenas (rose garden, salt lake, denver) at the beginning of the season where enthusiasm is high and nobody started tanking.

[AnaheimLakers24]

westbrook will show the world that kd isnt the only thunder to be better than bitch boi bran

[mehyaM24]

It may be a blessing in disguise.

Durant gets less wear in season, potentially lamb or jones turns into a guy they can use.

They'll still get a top 4 seed.

agreed. westbrook should have a career year this season - and likely will given the ball wont stop with durant. his competitive nature doesn't have it in him to lead okc into mediocrity. dont forget, westbrook was arguably more vital to the thunder last postseason than durant, the league mvp. iirc, had a higher PER and more win shares.