The front page of the Oklahoma City Thunder website states "Rise Together".
That mantra makes sense for a team so young and determined to succeed before they should. The Thunder player's average just under 25 years of age. That ranks third youngest in the League behind Minnesota and Memphis.
'Behind' is a relative word in this case. Minnesota and Memphis are far behind O.K.C. in many ways, but mainly in realistic chances to consistently beat great teams. The Thunder's best two players are both 22 years old.
Point guard, Russell Westbrook's stock is growing exponentially each season. Last season he averaged 16 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds per game. Through his first three games this season, Westbrook is averaging 22 pts., 7 asst., and 6 reb. per game.
Only an All-NBA First Team player could make Westbrook's numbers look less than amazing.
Enter small forward, Kevin Durant.
At 29 points per game, Durant leads the NBA in scoring this season. He doesn't seem to want to relent from last year's pace of 30 ppg. The reigning scoring champ Durant, has officially surpassed Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James as the League's best shooter.
In fact, Durant proved to the world that he is a force to reckoned with by leading the USA team to gold this summer. He was named MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championship. The USA squad steamrolled the World's best teams, going 9-0. Pretty amazing stuff.
Back in America, the Thunder have a mighty tough task ahead of them. The NBA's Western Conference is stacked head to toe. Standing above the competition is the Los Angeles Lakers. This Lakers team is comprised of the one and only, 5-time NBA champion, Kobe Bryant and a bunch of great sidekicks.
Last June, Bryant and company knocked the rising Thunder out of their first playoff berth in Oklahoma City. The Lakers beat the Thunder 4-2 in the first round but the clinching sixth game was decided by one point. Needless to say, O.K.C. had a chance to oust the eventual champs.
Recently, Sport Illustrated approached Kevin Durant about being on the cover of S.I.'s October basketball issue. The magazine initially thought they would feature Durant and his best teammates, Westbrook and Jeff Green. Durant refused.
Instead, he requested that he be featured with less-known foreign players, Thabo Sefolosha and Nenad Kristic or he wouldn't do it. So S.I. conceded and granted Durant's selfless wish to showcase his unknown teammates.
As the inexperienced Thunder learn the only true way, trial by fire; they continue to build towards a ever-brightening future, together.
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