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NBA 2016-17 forecast: Northwest Division

By Brian Boake

May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (right) instructs guard C.J. McCollum (3) against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (right) instructs guard C.J. McCollum (3) against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Last season: 55 -27

This season: 41 – 41

Russell Westbrook is staying on the prairies. If there’s other good news, I’ve missed it, or it doesn’t matter.

Kevin Durant left OKC for Golden State, which leaves Russ as the only young gun left. Remember when those two and James Harden were about to rule the world?

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) react as Westbrook is called for a charging foul during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) react as Westbrook is called for a charging foul during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Serge Ibaka was moved to Orlando, and Victor Oladipo came the other way.  A backcourt of Westbrook and Oladipo has serious potential, but they could clash as well. There’s only one ball.

Steven Adams gives them some inside muscle, and he can score a little. But too many elements of the roster look old (Nick Collison, Nazr Mohammed) or inexperienced (Josh Huestis, Semaj Christon). I don’t think they will coalesce in time to grab a playoff spot.

Next: The kids are alright, though a little chilly

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