Russell Westbrook Predicts NBA Finals Trip for Thunder
With Kevin Durant feeling 100 percent again, Russell Westbrook feels good about the Oklahoma City Thunder getting to the 2016 NBA Finals.
Westbrook has largely been avoiding reporters at USA Basketball minicamp in Las Vegas, but on Wednesday made sure to sneak in this bold prediction.
"When do the Finals start?" Westbrook said, according to USA Today Sports. "I'll talk to you all then."
Westbrook has good reason to feel confident. After winning the scoring title, averaging 28.1 points per game to go along with his 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds, the Thunder will be returning a healthy KD. Durant was averaging 25.4 points per contest before undergoing season-ending foot surgery, having only played 27 games last season.
"I like where we are at as a team right now," Westbrook said. "Kevin is looking good. We're feeling good. Back to normal...I feel like we've got the best team in the NBA at this point. I think with the group of guys that we have, and the positions that we have, I think we have a good chance to win the NBA championship."
The one-two punch of Westbrook and Durant could seemingly drive the Thunder to the Finals, although they'll have to likely battle past a reloaded Los Angeles Clippers squad, revamped San Antonio Spurs team with LaMarcus Aldridge and David West and/or the defending champion Golden State Warriors out West.
NBA MVP Stephen Curry, of the champion Warriors, has no problem with Westbrook's prediction.
"I would probably be saying the same thing if I was on the other side going into another season," said Curry, also in Vegas for USA Basketball minicamp, as told to USA Today Sports. "I've been saying [that] the last six years probably. I love it. That [talk from rivals] means you're doing something. You might as well relish in the challenge, understand that there's going to be some big talk from other teams that feel like they may have figured us out or what have you. But you've got to play 82 [games] and get ready for another playoff run."
Westbrook and the Thunder will tested right away, opening their season at home against the Spurs on Oct. 28.
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(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
