Oklahoma City's abysmal and depleted bench

[SOD 21]

We all know the Oklahoma City's roster has been decimated with injuries so far and they will be hard-pressed to even be competitive in these first two games and it will be a rough first couple of weeks for them.

But their entire bench tonight will be Collison, Perkins, Telfair and Lance Thomas, and those four players combined for 8.7 points per game last season in the NBA.

In addition to their anemic bench, Andre Roberson and Perry Jones are now in the starting lineup and those two players combined for five points per game last season.

There's really no need to play these next two games because they have no chance. Russell Westbrook, Ibaka and Steven Adams cannot provide nearly enough offense to win either of these two road games.

[Demitri98]

But when healthy, we're running... (bold is injured)

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Ibaka
Adams

Jackson
Morrow
PJ3
Collison
Perkins

Telfair
Morrow
McGary

[SOD 21]

But when healthy, we're running... (bold is injured)

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Ibaka
Adams

Jackson
Morrow
PJ3
Collison
Perkins

Telfair
Morrow
McGary

With the injuries to Kevin Durant, Anthony Morrow, Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb and Mitch McGary, Oklahoma City is missing about 65 points per game from what would've been their top 12 players coming into this season.

Early to mid December can't get here quick enough to get all these players back.

[LoneyROY7]

OKC will struggle mightily in Duexrant's absence.

[SOD 21]

OKC will struggle mightily in Duexrant's absence.

No question about that.

But their injuries go deeper than that because Anthony Morrow and Mitch McGary are also gone for another 4 to 6 weeks. Other players like Kendrick Perkins, Ibaka, Nick Collison and Reggie Jackson either didn't play or barely played in the preseason.

Morrow's injury really hurts because he was their best three-point shooter and with Kevin Durant also being out, this team is avoid outside shooting and now their best three-point shooter is Ibaka.

[Taller than CP3]

Westbrook should just say f*ck it and go for 82 one of these games, YOLO.

[Fudge]

Goodness.

If we somehow win the championship after Durant and company comes back, it'll be the greatest title run in the history, period.

[Budadiiii]

Goodness.

If we somehow win the championship after Durant and company comes back, it'll be the greatest title run in the history, period.
Making the playoffs will be a miracle this year.

Winning the title though puts KD in the top 5 all-time.

[Fudge]

Making the playoffs will be a miracle this year.

Winning the title though puts KD in the top 5 all-time.
Top 5? I'd definitely put him ahead of LeBron, especially through all of the circumstances (LeBron failing with yet another super team). I'd have him in my Top 11, booting LeShook out, that's for sure. Not sure about Kobe yet. Maybe another MVP or title will solidify his Top 10 status. We just have to wait and see.

But OKC is in a good place this year, bro. We're now the underdogs and I take it that the Thunder players will fully take advantage of this opportunity in proving people wrong.

[imdaman99]

How is Westbrook's healing? Are they taking the leash off him and letting him run like pre-injury? Or are his minutes limited? I know they aren't resting him in back to backs, they can't afford to lose every 2nd game in B2Bs. I don't wanna see him playing 36 minutes, I wanna see 40+

[Genaro]

Tough start for OKC. The injuries and 5 games in 7 nights.

[ArbitraryWater]

How is Westbrook's healing? Are they taking the leash off him and letting him run like pre-injury? Or are his minutes limited? I know they aren't resting him in back to backs, they can't afford to lose every 2nd game in B2Bs. I don't wanna see him playing 36 minutes, I wanna see 40+

Huh? Healing? From what?

I think you mixed something up.. Westbrook is perfectly fine

[russwest0]

But when healthy, we're running... (bold is injured)

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Ibaka
Adams

Jackson
Morrow
PJ3
Collison
Perkins

Telfair
Morrow
McGary

Lamb sure as hell ain't a starter. He's trash.

[Demitri98]

Lamb sure as hell ain't a starter. He's trash.
I still think Brooks is an idiot for not starting:

Jackson
Westbrook
Durant
Ibaka
Adams

[SOD 21]

There is a possible nightmare match-up awaiting in this year's playoffs for either the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs or some other top Western Conference team when they have to play Oklahoma City in the first round if all their pieces are healthy.

I really see Oklahoma City falling to the sixth, seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs with all these injuries by the time they start getting everyone back.

[SOD 21]

I still think Brooks is an idiot for not starting:

Jackson
Westbrook
Durant
Ibaka
Adams

I don't care if Reggie Jackson starts or not, just so long as he is in at the end of the game. But there's no question that his minutes need to be bumped up to about 32 to 34 per game, and even probably closer to 36 minutes per game until Kevin Durant returns from injury.

There is enough offense at the other four positions in the starting lineup, at least when healthy, that it isn't necessary for Reggie Jackson to start and he can help carry the second unit, and I do mean carry the second unit.

[IncarceratedBob]

If Westbrooks healing is on schedule then they should be able to hang around .500 til KD comes back.

[3peated]

this would be a top 5 team in the east with the injuries, top 2 without LOL