SuperSonic Boom Propels Oklahoma City Thunder to Lightning-Bright Future: The San Dova 2008-2009 NBA Season Wrap-Up

In memoriam to the former Seattle SuperSonics, the Oklahoma City Thunder, while a terrible team according to the numbers, has a great future, which seemed to really be apparent after the firing of head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who was also a carry-over from The Emerald City. The 2008-2009 NBA season has proven to be a test of wills for a number of the Thunder's players, and above all, the entire roster has proven to be strong.

Scotty Brooks, a former journeyman point guard and former NBA champion with the Houston Rockets, was the first major difference in the direction of the team's present and the growth and development of the young stars. While Carlesimo was seen as a likeable man and a respected authority figure, his acumen in inspiring his squad was somewhat lacking and it is possible that he did not relate well to the most important players of the team, namely future superstar Kevin Durant and rookie point guard Bryant Westbrook, who are also the youngest. A great example of Brooks' good coaching was resetting the lineup and moving the appropriate players in better positions or shuffling them in or out the starting lineup for a more solid playing constitution.

Durant, already a collegiate legend at the University of Texas and promising rookie in 2007-2008, became much more effective from one of Brooks' changes. While possessing great versatility and length, his lack of a meatier frame compelled Carlesimo to play Durant solely at shooting guard; the problem was that while still effective, Durant is a natural small forward, and after the position change in the lineup, KD became a stunning All-Star candidate. Now, Durant looks even closer to being a future MVP candidate and a sure all-NBA team member for years to come.

Westbrook also benefited from the the coaching change, becoming an immediate starter at point guard and dazzlingly playing at a comparable level to elite rookie guard Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. Combination forward Jeff Green has also been effective as a second- or third banana, using his skills as an effective shooter, slasher, ball-handler and defender to quietly support good play. Fellow rookie Kyle Weaver was a bit of a slight surprise, using his bigger 6'6" frame as a way to positively affect the guard play at the 1 and 2 positions, largely as a reserve player.

Three other things changed the pace of the season: one was the trade for Thabo Sefolosha from the Chicago Bulls, who instantly became a staggering defensive presence that the Thunder needed from the starting two-guard position. Sefolosha, a player of mixed Swiss heritage as well as Swiss nationality, toiled in the mediocrity of Chicago's backcourt, but flourished when he started to obtain heavy minutes with the young Thunder.

Another story of Oklahoma City's season was the signing of Nenad Krstic, a former New Jersey Net and recently-departed Russian basketball member for part of the 2008-'09 basketball season. Sorely lacking in skilled, adequately-sized big men, Krstic has given the team a legit power center/power forward as a threat near the basket, which will open up more opportunities for perimeter players Durant and Westbrook to create points.

The last bit of Oklahoma City drama was in effect in the canceled trade of now-former Thunder forwards Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith in exchange for center Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets. Frightened by the possibility of a defective toe, Chandler was sent back to the Hornets and both Wilcox and Smith were returned to OKC, but Wilcox was traded soon after to the New York Knickerbockers, while Smith was subsequently bought out and then signed by the Cleveland Cavs.

What has followed is the promising lineup of Westbrook, Sefolosha, Durant, veteran power forward Nick Collison and Krstic as the starters, with rookie D.J. White, Green and Weaver as the top reserve players.