Magic’s GM Following the OKC Blueprint

When Rob Hennigan was hired as General Manager of the Orlando Magic, it was expected that he would look to rebuild the team in the same manner as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hennigan was an assistant GM with OKC for two years before the Magic came calling.

Admittedly, the OKC model makes a lot of sense for Orlando. Both are small market teams which makes drawing big name stars nearly impossible.

Thunder’s Kevin Durant being exposed defensively in Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder practically stormed through the playoffs on the way to their first NBA Finals appearance since moving to Oklahoma. And no one is more responsible for the Thunder’s magical run than Kevin Durant.

Durant has been otherworldly with his ability to score points in bunches and hit shots from just about anywhere on the floor. He is averaging 28. 3 points-per-game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field.

Dream matchup: Heat's LeBron James versus Thunder's Kevin Durant

The NBA couldn't have asked for a better scenario than to have the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat meet up in the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant versus LeBron James and OKC's big three versus Miami's big three are the matchups that everyone will be dying to watch.

And there's no denying that how Durant and James play each other will be a big factor in deciding the outcome of this series as well as how Russell Westbrook matches up against Dwyane Wade and which player out of Chris Bosh and James Harden has a bigger impact off the bench. But while those matchups will be important, the outcome of this series could hinge even more on how the role players perform.

Thunder’s James Harden is the ‘Closer’

James Harden had his best game of the playoffs in Game 4 of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Harden totaled 29 points, five boards, five assists and three steals off the bench as his hot fourth-quarter shooting effectively ended the Mavericks’ season.

Harden’s fourth-quarter performance was needed because the Mavericks weren’t going down without a fight and neither of the team’s two biggest stars was playing well enough to put Dallas away. Harden erupted though pouring in 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter.

Russell Westbrook: OKC Thunder’s 6’3” big man

How is the NBA counteracting the dearth of viable big men that are entering the league these days? Simple, teams have started to look more for penetrating point guards like the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook in the draft to help generate points in the paint.

Just look at some of the teams in the league now and how they operate. When the game is on the line, the Chicago Bulls give the ball to Derrick Rose and ask him to blow past a defender to either get them a critical basket or force the defense to send him to the foul line.

Derek Fisher released for a second time this season?

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t want him and traded him to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets didn’t want him either and bought out his contract allowing him to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. And now the National Basketball Players Association’s executive committee is asking Derek Fisher to step down.

Could Derek Fisher help tame OKC's Russell Westbrook?

LeBron James publicly stated that he wanted Derek Fisher in Miami but it seems that Fisher is set to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder once he clears waivers. While his skills have eroded, players all over the league know how invaluable Fisher’s leadership and experience are to a team. Russell Westbrook and the Thunder are about to find out for themselves.

Best and Worst of the Western Conference

Seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the West is not much of a surprise. The Thunder are a young and talented team that made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season. What is surprising is the teams that are currently sitting in the next few spots in the Western Conference standings.