There’s no question Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are primed to tip off the 2015-16 NBA season. After Westbrook was unable to play in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Serge missed the first two games of the 2014 Western Conference Finals, and Durant was limited to only 27 games last season after complications arose from his Jones fracture surgery, the three-headed nucleus is itching to remind the NBA world that — when healthy — they’re nearly unstoppable.
Oh yeah, they’ve got a new coach, too.
Against the Jazz on Tuesday night, in a harmless preseason game in Salt Lake City, the Thunder were firing on all cylinders in a 35-18 first quarter and never looked back on their way to a 113-102 win.
Yes, it’s preseason, but KD and Russ were something else. The former had 29 points in less than 29 minutes. The latter had a triple-double — yeah, another one — in under 35 minutes.
Look at this fun little action where Ibaka sets the high screen for Russ on the strong-side, and KD cuts back door on the weak side for the alley-oop jam.
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That’s something Quin Snyder might draw up for the Jazz.
KD was 11-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-5 from deep on his way to a game-high 29. He very much resembles his 2013-14 MVP form, even if it’s just preseason.
Anyhoo, the Thunder looked very good early against the sexy pick for the No. 8 seed in the West.
About the only time the three-headed monster of Serge, KD and Russ didn’t appear to be on the same page was when the Serge Protector forgot his super special handshake with Durantula.
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Remember, handshakes are very important to the Thunder stars; except, when they’re not.
(H/T Reddit)
