KD’s Elite Defense, Big Men Playing at Elite Level, and Other Reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder Will Win the NBA Finals

With the Oklahoma City Thunder taking a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors the reaction is split between counting the Warriors out and expecting a comeback. I’m counting the Warriors out and my argument is convincing, just watch Game 4. Two of three of the next games may be in Golden State where the Warriors set a record by staying undefeated in the regular season for a long time, but the Warriors can’t hang in OKC and the Thunder only need one win. The Thunder is clicking in so many ways, and it should lead them to a title.

Kevin Durant is one of the best scorers in the NBA without a doubt. His defense, though is what I’m going to mention, he’s shut down, possibly the best two players on the Warriors, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. KD has made sharp switches. He’s altered and blocked many shots as well as forcing passes.

The Thunder’s big men, particularly Steven Adams have been playing at a high level. Adams has moved well and protected the rim. Enes Kanter has had production when given good minutes. Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli (as well as Anderson Varajao), can’t make a difference compared to the Thunder.

Russell Westbrook has been Russell Westbrook and that always helps. Him and KD are always clicking at the right time. Fast break dunks, athletic plays, as well as defending Stephen Curry well. Russell Westbrook hasn’t exactly been a gift to the Warriors either.

One might argue that even if the Thunder beat the Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers or even the Toronto Raptors could beat them, but I’ll digress to my previous arguments to disprove that. The big man play would be a big difference in either series, Cleveland’s big men would be badly outplayed, and while Bismack Biyombo will likely out rebound the Thunder big men combined, he’ll likely contribute less points. Kevin Durants defend will make a difference as well, if he can shut Stephen Curry down, he can easily shut down Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, JR Smith, Kyle Lowry, Demar Derozan, or anybody on those two teams, even Lebron James. KD and Russell Westbrook will continue to click and dominate. I can see the Thunder beating Cleveland in 6 and Toronto in 5, now we will see if my predictions hold.