Backup C/F Nick Collison is really playing pretty well for the Thunder this season. He has played in 62 games (1 start) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 21.0 minutes, 5.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Collison is shooting 58.9% from the floor this season but most of his shots are coming from close range. Collison could probably start for a lot of teams in the NBA but for the Thunder he will be one of their top reserves the rest of the way.

The Thunder will be without rookie shooting guard James Harden for the next 2-4 weeks with a right hamstring strain. This will be a blow to the Thunder as Harden has played well this year for them. Harden has played in 63 games (0 starts) this season for the Thunder in which he has averaged 23.0 minutes, 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Thunder will probably need starting shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha to step up and play more minutes while Harden is out. Sefolosha has played in 63 games (all starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 28.9 minutes, 5.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Russell Westbrook has a great combination of size, strength, and athleticism for a point guard and he has been using all of that to put together a great sophomore season for the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Westbrook is a great sidekick for Kevin Durant, who has turned into an MVP caliber player himself.  Although Westbrook doesn’t get the same recognition guys like Chris Paul, Derron Williams, or other up-and-coming point guards like Derrick Rose get, he is turning into one of the top point guards in the NBA.  This season he is averaging 16.7 points, 7.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.  He still needs to work on being a more consistent shooter, since he is hitting only 42% from the field and 25% from three.  He has solid touch and a good release on his shot though, so I see him developing into a good outside shooter as his career progresses.  Right now though, he has the quickness, strength, and athletic ability to go without a great outside shot.  He can get to the basket with ease and he does a great job of finding the open man.  The Thunder are now 39-24 on the season and they have won 15 of their last 18 games.  Kevin Durant is their main guy and is a big reason why they have been so much better this season, but without Westbrook the Thunder would not be this good.  With Durant, Westbrook, and a slew of other young talented players, Thunder fans have a lot to look forward to not only this postseason, but for years to come.

26-year old center Nenad Krstic is a big part of the future for the Thunder and that future is now. Krstic knows his role with the Thunder and that is to play defense and rebound. He has played in 61 games (all starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 8.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Krstic is capable of more offense if the Thunder ever need him to provide it but for now they are really happy with what he is giving them.

The Thunder only shot 32.5% from the floor and they were losing 92-64 heading into the 4th quarter. Young teams lay an egg from time to time so I would just write this loss off. Kevin Durant led the way for the Thunder with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 27 minutes last night. James Harden had a good game for the Thunder against the Nuggets as he finished up with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Serge Ibaka had probably his best game this season for the Thunder last night as he finished up with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder are now 36-24 on the season.