The injury bug has struck early and often in the young NBA season and preseason, having an effect on the direction of many teams. None have been impacted more than the Oklahoma City Thunder who only dressed nine against the Trail Blazers after dealing with injuries to multiple key players, most notably superstar Kevin Durant.
After Durant went down in the preseason with a broken foot that will sideline him for several weeks, most likely until the middle of December, the pressure fell firmly on the shoulders of star point guard Russell Westbrook to carry the team and to salvage any hopes for a strong post season run.
As luck would have it Westbrook fractured his right hand in 93-90 loss to the Clippers which leaves the team down one more player, and left them in an 0-2 hole to start the season. The young point guard who seemed primed for a big start to his season, while carrying the team for the next month or so until Durant recovers from his injury, will now be watching from the bench along with his fellow star as the team struggles to stay afloat until their return.
To many it would appear the season is a waste, and that any hope for the playoffs is gone, but Thunder Center Kendrick Perkins seems a bit more optimistic. “We’ve just got to make sure we stay afloat, try to keep pushing to stay above, stay at .500 and then when they get back we just try to make a push.”
It comes as a harsh reality that a team who was seen just a few weeks ago as title contenders is now a team who simply needs to fight to keep their head above water, but even with this test of wills the team still has options.
It’s just really pretty unbelievable. You’re kind of just shocked almost,” “It’s not funny at all, but you almost have to laugh about it just because it’s so many guys.” Thunder forward Nick Collison said about the reams injury situation.
The only healthy point guard on the roster right now is journeyman Sebastian Telfair, who will get the start until fourth-year point guard Reggie Jackson is healthy enough to take over. “Definitely still a little bit of a transition going on. The pace may be a little bit slower than what I’m used to playing the last couple of seasons. But I’ll get it.” Telfair said about his role.
The player who could benefit most from Westbrook’s injury is Jackson, who is sidelined with an ankle, and becomes a restricted free agent next summer unless he signs an extension with the team before today’s deadline is up. If he gets a chance to get on the court before Westbrook recovers, he would have the opportunity to prove his worth to future suitors and to make an impact on this struggling team.
Also the team may qualify for the NBA’s “hardship exception” which they were denied after Durant’s injury because they had not yet met the leagues games missed threshold of four players missing three or more games due to injury. With Westbrook going down they should easily be granted additional roster spots which would allow them to go over the maximum of 15 players, and add two more players.
“It’s unfortunate it’s the way it is right now, but it’s the way it is. We have to figure out how to continue to improve and get better from all of our experiences. This is going to be a tough one, but the good teams, good players, bounce back during adversity. No one goes through a career in professional sports who don’t have to go through an adverse situation and our guys understand that and they’re going to bounce back every day. That’s what they’ve always done.” Coach Scott Brooks said.
This team has too much talent for me to be ruled out this early in the season. I firmly believe that if the Thunder can manage to sail through this adversity and keep their heads above water until mid-December when their two stars are slated to return, they will once again be a devastating force and a team to look out for when the Playoffs begin.
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