No. 4 The Oklahoma City Thunder
“They have some stallions over there…they’re really good. I mean, they just get up and down the floor. They’re very unique in that way. They broke us in the last game, just by their speed.”
-Kobe Bryant on the Oklahoma City Thunder post-game 6, NBA playoffs
If it weren’t for Pau Gasol’s put-back after a Kobe Bryant miss with just a few seconds remaining on the clock, Oklahoma City’s thunderous bunch would’ve forced a game 7 at the Staples Center. In all likelihood, the Thunder would’ve lost, but it was never the Lakers intention to be in a position where it was necessary to play seven games against an up-and-coming, first-time playoff bound squad, to advance to the second round.
Perhaps the Lakers couldn’t help it. After all, OKC was led by a prolific scorer in Kevin Durant and boasted a core group of talented young guys whose speed and athleticism ambushed the defending champs.
It appears as though next time around, the Thunder won’t only have experience to carry them through the series, they’ll have a new-found confidence as well. Throw in a rambunctious crowd and it could all add-up to disaster for the Lakers.
Next: The Chosen One, Flash and that other guy plan to de-rail the champs
