With Durant back, Thunder set sights on championship
September 28, 2015 | 8:24pm
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant couldn't help himself.
While recovering from surgery on his broken right foot, the Oklahoma City Thunder star put himself through the agony of watching Golden State win the NBA title. The Thunder were among the favorites last season before Durant was injured.
"I hated seeing someone else win," the 2014 Most Valuable Player said Monday (Tuesday in Manila). "There were great basketball games being played, and I've got to respect it. I hated seeing those guys win."
Durant is back, and the Thunder have their sights on an NBA title after reaching the Western Conference Finals three of the past five years. Oklahoma City opens training camp Tuesday.
Star guard Russell Westbrook worked out with Durant during the summer and said Durant looks like the player who averaged 32 points per game in 2013-14.
"I think he's in great shape," Westbrook said. "I think he's fine. Shape won't be a problem. Just him getting back into the groove of things and him finding his rhythm is the most important part, especially coming back from an injury."
Durant is surrounded with an abundance of talent.
Westbrook was last year's scoring champ and finished fourth in the Most Valuable Player balloting. Serge Ibaka, a defensive stopper and improving shooter who missed the final month last season with a knee injury, is ready to go. The Thunder re-signed Turkish forward/center Enes Kanter after picking him up in the middle of last season, and he has trimmed down and focused on his defense in the off-season.
The Thunder will have to adjust to new coach Billy Donovan, but the players don't expect that to be an issue. Even with all their talent, the Thunder know reaching their goals will take a series of successful small steps and some good luck. It all starts with having a full team in late September.
"It's definitely a relief to get everybody at full strength, especially at the start of training camp," Westbrook said. "Trying to get everybody healthy is definitely something you can't take for granted."
Westbrook said the injury situation last year helped the Thunder improve their depth, and that could be a factor this season. The Thunder were disappointed that they missed the playoffs, but proud that they finished with a 45-37 record, despite so many issues.
"With trades and all the different things that happened to us last year, we were able to see different guys step up and different guys play better," he said.
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