Russell Westbrook has always been regarded as a special talent since entering the league as the #4 selection in the 2008 NBA draft. A brief collegiate career at UCLA featured him at shooting guard alongside Darren Collison raised questions by scouts about how he would adapt to the point in the NBA. They are no longer wondering.

Westbrook surfaced as the most reliable and dominant player during the Thunder’s first trip to the playoffs, with the pinnacle of his performance happening during game 6: 21 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals. The highlight of his performance? He committed zero turnovers.

Fisher was ineffective at stopping Westbrook.

Though it wasn’t enough to offset a miraculous offensive tip in by the Lakers’ Pau Gasol with 0.5 seconds remaining, giving the Lakers a 1 point lead and costing the Thunder the series, Westbrook unquestionably carried the Thunder against the defending World Champion Lakers.

The Thunder are now on the map.

While Durant was contained and Jeff Green was shaky at best, NBA teams have to realize they must stop Westbrook in order to have any chance at stopping the Thunder.

During the infancy stage of his career Westbrook was heavily criticized for his turnover proneness and low shooting percentages, and with good reason. As a rookie he shot 39% from the field, and only raised this to 41.8% during his second season. He consistently averaged 3.3 turnovers both seasons, but that number is very misleading. Westbrook was notorious for constant inconsistency by having a low turnover game, then a turnover-plagued game.

Definitely what you want to see out of a young player: signs of hope plagued by games of regression. A coach’s dream.

For the playoff series Westbrook finished with averages of 53% from the field, 87% from the line, and only 2.3 turnovers. If you toss out the abysmal game 5 in which he committed 8 turnovers, that percentage drops down to only 1 turnover per game.

It’s highly promising for his future that he reduced his turnover average by 1 at a time where it’s expected for a younger player to see a significant increase. Sometimes all a player needs is a NBA playoff series to reach the next level.

Seriously, having the ball in your hands, running the point for 36 minutes a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but committing only 2.3 turnovers a game while dominating so hard that Kobe is assigned to defend him? That is serious dominance.

Westbrook had his way against the Lakers.

Kobe rattled him during game 5, but Westbrook posted dominant numbers in game 6 with Kobe defending him. Kobe’s defense could not slow him down, and Westbrook reduced his turnovers from an abysmal 8 to 0. Westbrook did this while being defended by the legendary Kobe Bryant. Not bad.

We seldom see young players make these sort of strides during the postseason. Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, and Westbrook all exemplify the unexpected and swift emergence of a young player exceeding all expectations but yet attaining all hopes and dreams. It’s not easy to do this (as evidenced by Kevin Durant’s regression with each passing game)which makes it even more special to witness when it does happen.

For those special players who perform when the pressure is on, while every possession counts, the game becomes easier for them after experiencing the playoff epiphany.

Look for Westbrook to continue building of his postseason emergence while elevating the Thunder into newer heights in 2010-11.

The Oklahoma City Thunder already matched last years 23 win total this year, with 42 games remaining. They currently occupy the 8^th playoff spot in the Western Conference, and boast a .561 winning percentage. Houston has an identical record as OKC, but appears to be cooling down of late. Look for OKC to ride the hot shooting of Kevin Durant and crew to rise up the playoff table in the second half of the season. This team appears to have be on the verge of something very special.

KD is giving OKC fans something a future to smile abut. (Credit: picapp.com)

These kids are dangerous. Stopping all of them is nearly impossible, with Durant being the hardest of all. He has eclipsed 30 points 22 times already this year. Kevin Durant should be mentioned in MVP discussions. If you see how much better he is on defense, and the fact that he is averaging nearly 30 points a night.

This miraculous turnaround is attributed to Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, and rookie sensation James Harden. Durant has always been known to be a prolific scorer, but this season his defense has been on par with his scoring. The result has been a vastly improved defensive toughness.

These kids are gelling together well, and as Westbrook learns wiser shot selection, the Thunder’s future will become brighter. Westbrook is already a triple-double threat If he gains the ability to make people honor his shot selection, his capabilities to drive and dish will dismantle teams in the future.

Jeff Green is coming evolving into a solid player this year. His numbers might not be all star caliber, but he is wiser, and making sound judgment calls in tight situations. Just watch this decision he makes with the shot clock down and Durant unavailable.

If Green can continue to develop into an all around threat, it is hard to imagine anyone shutting down all 3 on any given night.

James Harden is a veteran in a rookie’s body. He has come on strong for OKC of late, giving the Thunder the 6^th man they need to transcend the second unit to the next level. He is intelligent, wise with the ball, and can shoot from long range.

OKC is on the road to title contention, and sooner than you might think. If you were a team in the playoffs, would you honestly want to face them?

Could this be a 1st Round Matchup in the Playoffs? (Credit: picapp.com)

With Portland depleted by injuries, the final three spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs this year.

It is likely the Spurs will get it together as the off season acquisitions are still gelling together, and Houston could slip as the season progresses. All of these variables play into the Thunder’s favor.

Kevin Durant is coming emerging this season. Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green are improving as well.

Rookie James Harden is integrating his game into the system as if he were a 10-year veteran.

These core players are evolving faster than anyone could have predicted. In addition to these young superstars, OKC has a wealth of talent at every position.

• Nenad Kristic was a steal last year.
• Nick Collison is a gristly, all-hustle player who adds toughness in the paint.
• Thabo Sefolosha was a steal of deal being acquired for a future draft picks from Chicago. He is a lockdown defender who will not take away shots from Durant, Green and Westbrook.
• Serge Ibaka is making solid strides and might be one of the most agile and athletic 6’10” players in the NBA. Should his skills continue to develop, he could be the starting center by the end of the year.
• D.J. White is the odd man out in OKC’s rotation so far. You can’t count on that to continue given the way he lights up the basket in his minutes. His per 40 minutes numbers are mind blowing: 21 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 SPG and 1.5 BPG. Sure those are projections, but it emphasizes the fact that the dude can flat out play.
• Shaun Livingston is showing signs of regaining his pre-injury form, and is a strong defender.

Westbrook is leading the attack. (Credit: picapp.com)

As the season progresses and OKC continues to gain confidence, look for OKC to secure the 8^th this season. Look for the Thunder to make major noise if they can claim the 7th spot. Teams will not want to play these guys as they might just be the most unpredictable team since the 06-07 Golden State Warriors.

This summer marks the continuation of major spending reform (and not for the better) in the NBA. The Vince Carter, Shaquille O’Neal, and Richard Jefferson deals exemplify that liquidating huge contracts for scrap (or crap) heaps, and aiming to win it all now, is THE popular trend–the rich getting richer. Ben Gordon, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Kidd, and many other free agents will land large deals, but who can afford to pay them?

Teams are preparing for next summer by dangling expiring contracts via trade to desperate teams.  Assessing the chances to land a marquee name–LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Manu Ginobili–in 2010 is becoming commonplace, and as a result unthinkable trades are being made.

But let’s not forget, there is top-notch talent available this summer, and Protect the Paint will now evaluate who we think the most relevant free agent is for the teams with the most spending power. Lets face it, money talks, or else the free agent walks.

The teams with the most cap space are:

1. Memphis ($18 mil)
2. Detroit ($16.6 mil)
3. Atlanta ($14.8 mil)
4. Oklahoma City ($14.7 mil)

Other teams with significant room are:

1. Utah ($9.2 mil)
2. Portland ($8.1 mil)
3. Miami ($6.7 mil).

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Memphis is going to need every penny they have if they hope to lure a major free agent to play for the Grizzlies. We’re talking about a small market team and a perennial losing franchise. It is doubtful any free agent of substance would be willing go there. What’s the draw? Don’t say Mark Gasol. Beale Street is pretty nice though.

Whoever Memphis signs, they will likely pay more than that player’s true market value. Additional revenue is the only thing luring a player to the Grizzlies. The only destination less attractive may be Milwaukee where Brandon Jennings hardly looks (or sounds) like a savior.

BIGGEST NEED: New Location. If the Grizzlies were located in a larger market, we’ve got to believe more players would consider playing there. Until then, have your checkbook ready Griz. They do have the money to offer Hedo Turkoglu a salary he could not refuse. The combo of Turkoglu, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay is solid yet entirely unrealistic.

DETROIT PISTONS

Wednesday’s breaking news of head coach Michael Curry being fired implies Joe Dumars wants to insure free agents will want to come to Detroit. It is well documented that Curry ruffled more than just one player’s feathers. Apparently, Dumars plans to let Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace walk.

Iverson and Wallace are in the twilight of their careers, and locking either one of them into a long-term deal makes absolutely zero sense when the Pistons are building around Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince. Acquiring a third scoring option who is entering/closer to his prime is what Detroit needs.

Gordon's offensive skills would help Detroit (Credit: chi-ball.com)

GREATEST NEED: Ben Gordon or Hedo Turkoglu. Ben Gordon is ideal for Detroit. He is a young, capable scorer who would give the Pistons a solid trio of offensive weapons to build a bright future around. Turkoglu might not make sense with Rip Hamilton and Stuckey already there, but he is a major factor why Orlando went to the finals and the Pistons can afford him.

ATLANTA HAWKS

After recently acquiring Jamal Crawford from Golden State, it raises questions if Atlanta will re-sign Mike Bibby. Crawford gives Atlanta another 4th quarter scoring threat, easing the defensive pressure on Joe Johnson.

Atlanta can let 30-year-old Bibby walk, and re-sign key reserves Zaza Pachulia and Flip Murray. Retaining Pachulia gives Atlanta depth in the post, which is a necessity for playoff basketball.

Will Childress play another year in Greece? (Credit: lowposts.com)

GREATEST NEED: Keeping what they already have (re-signing Pachulia and Murray). These two players are too valuable and affordable not to re-sign and the Hawks need to save their coin for Johnson who can opt out next summer. Josh Childress returning from Greece would give them back-court flexibility.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

OKC cannot afford to spend too much on a major free agent. The Thunder need to spend frugally in order to retain the core of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook. It is an unconditional must. This being said, signing a mid-level free agent would be the wise move for OKC and there are several available. One in particular would fit nicely with the Thunder’s nucleus.

Millsap would thrive playing with the Thunder (Credit: deseretnews.com)

BIGGEST NEED: Paul Millsap would immediately add a tough rebounding presence and the blue-collar attitude that the young Thunder need. Adding Millsap makes the playoffs a possibility, especially considering Yao Ming’s injury in Houston puts the Rockets 2010 playoff hopes in major jeopardy opening up a spot for another Western Conference team. Millsap gives any team he’s on many second (and often third) chance opportunities on the offensive end. If Boozer opts out of Utah, then expect the Jazz to match any offer made on Millsap.

UTAH JAZZ

The Jazz faced potential free agency disaster, but both Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur have decided against opting out and will stay. Luckily for Utah, Boozer’s injury-plagued 2008-09 season and lingering questions of his ability to stay healthy is most likely all that prevented him from bailing and receiving a large offer elsewhere. Does he care about money more than winning? He did bail on LeBron. That should answer that question.

Okur–a big man who can shoot–must believe his best chance for another title (he won a ring in Detroit) lies in Salt Lake City.

Mehmet Okur won't abandon the Jazz. (Credit: nba.com)

BIGGEST NEED: Staying healthy. A healthy Jazz are as good as any team in the NBA. Re-signing Milsap as insurance for the fragile Boozer would be huge, but chances are good a team with more cap room will nab him.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Portland is a young team on the rise. They made the playoffs, and in doing so, exposed their greatest weakness.  Depending on which players they decide to retain the rights to, they could go as far as $15-30 million under the cap. They will not advance past the 1st round with Steve Blake as the starting PG. The Blazers have a solid leader in two time All-Star Brandon Roy, but they need a savvy veteran who can bring the ball up court.

Andre Miller is a massive ugrade to Steve Blake (Credit: ESPN)

BIGGEST NEED: Andre Miller or Jason Kidd. Miller would instantly bring leadership and make Portland a title contender as the Blazers mature. Miller has a lot of game left in the tank, and with $8 million to spend in cap space, they could afford to sign him.

With Jason Kidd coordinating the offense, there is no telling where the Blazers could go. Odds are Kidd remains in Dallas or signs with the New York Knicks. Kidd is already in New York and ready to begin negotiations.

MIAMI HEAT

Miami obviously has no interest in spending any money this summer. Their top priority is re-signing Dwyane Wade. The irony might end up being that in not making moves to secure talent around Wade they may lose him. Wade has made it abundantly clear in the media that he wants players provided for him now, not later. What Miami really needs is a low post presence. A solid center would immediately seal up a lot of loose ends for the Heat.

Marcin Gortat can start and make a difference in MIami (Credit: pablonasportowo)

BIGGEST NEED: Marcin Gortat or Anderson Varejao. With Orlando recently acquiring Vince Carter, Orlando will have trouble matching offers for Gortat. With Cleveland making the O’Neal trade they have no chance of paying Varajao the money he wants. Gortat has proven to be a solid performer when filling in for foul-prone Dwight Howard, and could be an affordable solution to fill the void in the middle in Miami. Varejao’s athleticism and defensive prowess might be the better move for Miami. He can give them what last year Jermaine O’Neal couldn’t.