Teams in the West like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers got substantially better throughout the offseason, adding key pieces to their deep rosters. With the changes the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t a shoe in to win the Western Conference anymore especially with their star point guard Russell Westbrook suffering a knee injury. In fact, NBA analyst and former player Chris Webber says they aren’t ready to compete for a title. Read more after the jump.
via Boston Globe
Webber on whether Thunder guard Russell Westbrook can return to form after a torn meniscus in his right knee, which has required two surgeries since last spring, the latest to reduce swelling: “Westbrook is one of the most athletic guys in the league and I think his age is his best asset right now. He didn’t have to go through microfracture [surgery]. We’ve seen people come back from these injuries so I expect him to be the same person or better basically because of his attitude. I really don’t think it will affect him that much.”
Webber said while he believes Westbrook will come back strongly, he doesn’t consider Oklahoma City ready to compete for the NBA title.
“I never viewed them as the favorite last year, even with him,” said Webber. “I think this is a different league and each team is going to have to reevaluate, not live off the past. This is a much different league than it was last year, so I think they need to worry about the other great teams in the Western Conference. It’s a year later but [James]Harden was in the discussion a year ago and they are not better without Harden. Losing Kevin Martin as well, they have to find a new identity.”
