Tonight, i had the opportunity to visit the Ford Center and watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the San Antonio Spurs. Before the game, Spurs coach Greg Popovich decided that he would rest Tim Duncan tonight. When i heard that, i arrived at the game fully expecting the Thunder to win the game. I wasn't counting on DeJuan Blair to show up in Beast Mode. Blair's final stat line reads like this : 31 Minutes, 11-17 FG/6-8 FT's for 28 Points, 21 Rebounds(10 offensive), 2 Steals, and 2 blocks. This guy is for real. Without a doubt, he deserves to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation with Tyreke Evans of the Kings and Brandon Jennings of the Bucks.

But as much as I marveled at Blair's dominance in this game, i became just as concerned about the Thunder's inside game. Nenad Krstic couldn't stop him early on, so Nick Collison came in. Collison had more success, but couldn't shut him down. Eventually, Kevin Durant ended up guarding him before in the fourth quarter, Serge Ibaka came in. Ibaka had the most success, but still, Blair got several key rebounds or tip outs late in the game before he fouled out. 

The Thunder have 5 players currently on their roster who play the post. Nenad Krstic, Nick Collison, Serge Ibaka, Etan Thomas, and Byron Mullens. Krstic is the starter and averages 8 points and 5 rebounds a game. Collison comes in off the bench and contributes 5 points and 4 rebounds. Ibaka also averages 5 and 4 every night. Etan Thomas isn't injured, but hasn't seen playing time in over a month. And Byron Mullens, one of the players acquired in last years draft, has only appeared in 3 games, and has spent most of his time in Tulsa with the 66ers of the NBA D-League. These guys are all decent players, but none of them have everything you would want in a legitimate post player. Krstic has a nice jump shot. Collison has better post moves. Ibaka brings energy. Thomas played good defense when he got the opportunity to play. Throw them all together, and you've got all the qualities you need in a Center. 

But there's the problem. Scott Brooks' squad doesn't have anyone who can go blow for blow with the big boys of the NBA. Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, and now DeJuan Blair have all had their way with the Thunder. Gasol averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds in two games against OKC. Garnett scored 23. Dwight Howard averaged 15 in two games. And now Blair goes off for 28 and 21 tonight. The Thunder are certainly much improved from last year, as they are now two away from matching their win total from last year. If they stay healthy, it appears they will be able to at least challenge for a playoff spot, and possibly even make the post season. But before they become a true contender, they need to get a true post player who brings the complete package every night. This hodge podge rotation will get them past some mid and lesser opponents, but will continue to cause problems against the elite teams in the league. Oklahoma City will have the most money out of anyone in the NBA to spend this coming off season, so hopefully they can find someone to fill the role. Whether its a trade, going after a free agent, or getting a solid player in the draft, something needs to happen. Only time will tell.