HOOPSAHOLIC

It's been well documented that my loyalty lies with the Oklahoma City Thunder. They're my favorite team, and there's not much more that I can say but that. Well, I guess there is.. I mean, who wouldn't love a team that features two of the top five players in the NBA? Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have lit up nearly arena they've stepped foot in, and most of the time they never fall short of putting on a spectacle that leaves fans in awe of their abilities. My confidence was fully invested in the Thunder and their dynamic duo, until recently. 

Now we're in the fourth month of the NBA season with the all-star break quickly approaching, and OKC sits with a lowly 23-24 record overall while firmly planted as the tenth seed in the Western Conference. The "Boys in Blue", like the team's play by play announcer Brian Davis likes to call them, trail the ninth seed New Orleans by two games and are a staggering four games back from the eighth seeded Phoenix Suns. Is it time to panic if your a Thunder fan? The answer to that is an astounding YES!

When the Thunder started the season with a 3-12 record, it was understood that everyone needed to be patient because the bad start was due to the injuries to Durant and Westbrook. There was hope that when their superstars returned, the Thunder would find the groove they've been in since the team made the Western Conference Finals  back in 2011. I mean, why would anyone question that it'd be any different? Thunder fans have always known they could count on KD to save the day, or for Westbrook to make a momentum swinging play to steal the show and seal the victory. All of those things appeared to ring true in the past, but now it seems those great moments are nothing but memories, and Thunder fans are left wondering if their championship window has truly closed. 

We're seeing the Thunder slip from the familiarity that we're so used to as basketball fans. The organization has preached about doing things the "Thunder way", and I believe Thunder fans used to cling to the sense of security that Sam Presti leaked from his philosophies as a front office leader. Even throughout trading a perennial all-star in James Harden, there was still support from Thunder fans mostly because they've always deep down believed in the process that Presti so often preaches about. So far this season, we're even seeing Presti stray from the straightened path he set for the organization when he took over. 

If fans aren't pointing at Jackson, the blame mostly goes to head coach Scotty Brooks. Many people have begged for the coach to be fired due to his inability to get in an offensive rhythm despite coaching this core of players for seven years. Brooks has always been a likable coach, but it may be time for the players to hear a new voice in charge. Now Presti is in a situation where he has to make another move to attempt to right the ship. With Durant's contract ending after the 2016 season, Presti must find a way to convince one of the world's best players that he can win championships in Oklahoma City. I personally believe that Durant loves Brooks, and I think firing him would raise suspicion in his eyes of the overall stability of the organization. Durant seems like a person who enjoys a family atmosphere, and I believe he considers Brooks a near father figure, so therefore firing him would at least bother Durant in some way. I also don't believe a mid-season coaching change would benefit the team immediately, and if anything it would set the team back. 

Brooks is known for his very suspect lineups. If Brooks is going to remain the coach, there's no way he can continue to start Andre Roberson at the shooting guard position. The "defensive specialist" is a HUMONGOUS liability on offense, and teams have learned to not even bother guarding him. The Thunder are virtually playing 4-on-5 on offense, and Durant and Westbrook are therefore limited because Roberson's defender will double one of them instead. My solution to the problem would be to trade for another shooter that could come off of the bench so Anthony Morrow could start. Morrow is one of the best shooters in the game, and right now he's a great scoring threat off of the bench. If Morrow was given the starting nod, he'd be able to spread the floor for that first unit. The bench would take a hit offensively, but if Presti traded Jackson for another sharpshooter like Morrow, then the Thunder's offense would blossom. A trade with Jackson also rids themselves of his bad attitude due to lack of playing time. 

I don't know if my solution will be a championship fix for this Thunder team, but I think it's a step in the right direction. Both Durant and Westbrook need more help, and that's very obvious. If Serge Ibaka can find himself, and the Thunder get rollling, we all know what they're capable of. This upcoming week is huge for OKC! They take on Orlando at home tonight before playing New Orleans twice. If the Thunder are serious about making the playoffs the winning needs to start now, and these games against the Pelicans are crucial. It's time for the Thunder to strap on the big boy pants and get it together because they're running out of time. 

If you look back to three years ago, I don't think the organization would've ever considered bringing in a player with a reputation such as Dion Waiters. His shoot first, me mentality doesn't fit into the mold of the Thunder, and the trade if anything appeared to be a panic move in my eyes. Some people may debate the Thunder didn't have to give up much to acquire Waiters, but in all reality OKC traded a team-first guy in Lance Thomas (along with a pick) to get a guy that Cleveland couldn't push out the door fast enough. To prove the "Waiters Effect", all you need to do is look at the Thunder's 6-6 record since acquiring the guard out of Syracuse. Then compare that .500 mark to the record 10-4 of the Cavs since they dispensed of him, not to mention three of those losses were while LeBron sat out. The numbers speak for themselves. Waiters is playing most of the crunch time minutes for OKC, which means Reggie Jackson is supposed to take on a lesser role for the team. In my opinion, a trade for Waiters makes no sense with Jackson still on the roster, and Presti should've had a landing spot for Jackson in place before ever pulling the trigger on a trade for Waiters. Now as a result, the Thunder have completely lost Jackson, and they shouldn't be surprised. He's a player who's won this team a playoff game, and now Jackson has to take a back seat to a guy like Waiters, who has yet to prove himself in this league. Even though it may be tempting, if you're pointing fingers, Jackson's the wrong guy to target.