NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant, James Harden Tandem In the Works; Billy Donovan Fails OKC Revamp

By Mitch de Leon
Kevin Durant
The Golden State Warriors eye the potential transfer of Kevin Durant in the NBA champions' team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had been a promising NBA team before the start of the regular season. With veteran Kevin Durant and MVP Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder had been pegged as one of the most formidable basketball squads this season. It appears, however, that the predictions of sports analysts were wrong as the said team has yet to prove their mettle in the hardwood court.

According to sources, the members of the Oklahoma City Thunder squad are still struggling to keep up with the changes in the game plays and strategies implemented this NBA season. It could be recalled that the team had a change in staff before the regular season as Billy Donovan took the reigns from then Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. Upon entry into the Durant basketball squad, Donovan vowed to implement changes that will see the Oklahoma City Thunder rise this NBA season. While there is not much pressure at this point yet, fans and followers of the Durant-Westbrook team are starting to wonder whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder squad could be considered a contender team this NBA season - that is if Donovan made good on his promise.

"Honestly, nothing," noted an NBA advanced scout, referring to the supposed changes in the plays and strategies of the Oklahoma City Thunder squad, according to USA Today. The expert added, "The talk is different, but as far as the numbers go, it's the same (as last season). They talk about getting stops, but they're not getting stops. I think their opponent is averaging 108 points a game right now (108.7, 27th in the league). They're talking about being a defensive team, but it's not what the outcome is so far on the floor. Teams can score with them, or more than them in these last three games (losses to Houston, Toronto, and Chicago). I haven't seen much of a difference. You've got a couple of guys who are known as defenders on the team, and then everybody else is looking to score. I don't see a difference."

Apart from the scout's observations, other sports analysts pointed out that the Oklahoma City Thunder squad appear to be relying heavily on the Durant-Westbrook tandem too much. Although this notion does not necessarily imply anything negative, it could eventually spell the doom of the NBA team especially since Durant is up for free agency soon - a fact that some other basketball squads seem to be eagerly preparing for to bag the star hopefully.

One of the most reportedly aggressive NBA team intent on signing Durant is the Houston Rockets. With James Harden, Ty Lawson and Dwight Howard already in place, the Houston Rockets will undoubtedly become an unbeatable team if Durant joins its roster.

"They're trying to get a lot of guys here surrounding James," shared Durant, referring to the rumors that the Houston Rockets intend to add him to their roster, according to Houston Chronicle. The Oklahoma City Thunder star added, "They got some guys, they missed out on a few guys, but they still have a really, really good team. And they built it around James. Their front office and ownership, I'm sure, had him in mind whenever they made moves. They (turned) into a contender."

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