The Oklahoma City Thunder are the team of the future, but for a few days between games 3-5 of their first round series with the defending champion Lakers, it looked like their time could be now.
The Los Angeles Lakers won the first two game in the Staples Center in L.A. but the Thunder won the next two games in Oklahoma, including a game four blowout.
The Lakers played like champions in games five and six, closing out the young Thunder team.
Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant praised the Thunder, and said he thinks the Thunder will be a very tough team to beat for years to come.
The Thunder were severely undersized against the Lakers’ big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. However, OKC rookie center Serge Ibaka played very well, and block over ten shot in the series.
This summer is huge for the Thunder. They have some good salary cap space to use, and must acquire a offensive big man who can easily score in the post. Chris Bosh and David Lee are possible targets.
The future is bright for the Thunder. Their best players are all young and improving. Not only do they have the MVP runner-up in Kevin Durant, but point guard Russell Westbrook is becoming one of the best guards in the NBA.
Oklahoma City will win their share of playoff games, but the experience and resolve of the champion Lakers was to much for the Thunder’s 2010 hopes.