Sorry, free agency fanatics. You'll have to wait a while for Kevin Durant to hit the market.

OKC's young stud agreed Tuesday to a five-year, $86 million extension to his rookie contract, keeping him in the Midwest through 2016.

This is as noteworthy as the outcomes of LeBron, Wade and Bosh, if in a different way. Durant is showing the kind of steadiness and faithfulness to his team that is all too rare in today's NBA. For every Durant, Deron Williams and Tim Duncan, there's a slew of LeBrons, Boozers and Boshes who value leaving over longevity. The former produces mercenaries. The latter makes icons.

Like Duncan, Durant's name and face are synonymous with his team. This is the best possible outcome for a team only three years removed from relocation. When the Thunder-then-Sonics left Seattle, naysayers questioned the franchise's ability to stay relevant in such a small market. The Thunder's relatively unimpressive logo/name didn't do much to quiet their ridicule.

There's no denying OKC's identity now, not with the Thunder fresh off a playoff appearance and Durant cementing their legitimacy. Besides, if perennial contenders like the Spurs and annual doormats like the Knicks prove anything, market size is overrated. Like the Spurs, look for the Thunder to contend through home-grown products and savvy spending.

The seeds of that are already in place. Like the rest of the team, KD is young, hungry and improving.

It looks like they'll stay that way.

Free agency may be great for fan attention and gossip, but the Thunder would just as soon avoid all that, thank you very much.

Oklahoma City has no intentions of going through what Toronto, Utah, Cleveland, Miami and a handful of other teams are facing right now - the very real possibility of their franchise player taking off. Seeing other clubs' desperation had to be extra motivation for Sam Presti and the rest of OKC's brass to lock up Kevin Durant ASAP, and that's exactly what they're trying to do.

They already know other teams are willing to start planning two years in advance for a superstar's free agency. It's not something OKC is willing to risk, especially in a small market where superstars are needed keep the franchise relevant both on and off the floor. It's easy to wonder what will happen to Cleveland and Toronto if LeBron James and Chris Bosh leave, respectively. Can professional basketball ultimately continue in cities disdainfully dropped by the league's best?

Again, the Thunder would rather not face that themselves.

The signs are positive thus far. Durant has done nothing but exude fondness for Oklahoma City, both as a franchise and a city. He seems set in helping himself and the team progress. He doesn't want to go to a better team. He wants the Thunder to be a better team, and is willing to do all the little and big things to see it happen.

Unlike other stars, Durant has the backing of competent management. Every year they do well through drafting and trades. This year's draft was no exception. The underrated coup of the night was OKC swapping their No. 18 pick for a future Clippers' first-round pick (A.K.A. lottery pick).

Between the smarts at the front office, a solid surrounding cast of young and improving players and a college-like atmosphere of support, Durant has every reason to feel good about extending his commitment to OKC.

And that's what has the Thunder feeling a lot better than the Cavs right now.

That's right Thunder fans; a Storm is brewing in the Northwest Division. With almost one-third of the season completed, the Thunder stand one game out of the playoff picture. In the traditionally tough Western Conference, to be in the running early is a significant achievement. Kevin Durant is performing at his usual high level, leading the team in scoring with 27.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Russell Westbrook is providing solid play at point guard, with 15.9 ppg and 6.6 apg, good enough for ninth in the league. Rounding out the Thunder's young, solid core of talent is Jeff Green, the second year man from Georgetown, who is averaging 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Together, these three account for roughly 60 percent of the Thunder's scoring. James Harden leads all reserves with 9.5 ppg and 2.8 apg.

The Thunder are playing solid defense, holding opponents to 44.6% from the field and 95.9 ppg, good enough for eighth and seventh in the league, respectively. Key areas for improvement for the Thunder are assists (24th in the NBA) and rebounding (15th). Key contributions in this area need to come from starting center Nenad Krstic as well as guards Thabo Sefolosha and Mike Wilks. Shaun Livingston could be a diamond in the rough, depending on the progression of his recovery.
Tonight's game against Houston, which is one and a half games ahead of Oklahoma City in the playoff standings, should prove a good test of Oklahoma City's postseason ability.

Are they well equipped to compete for a playoff spot? Or are they heading for the lottery once again? Let's have a look on how they look on paper.

Their projected starting line-up is really formidable and can compete with the best of them. At the guards, you have Russell Westbrook and probably James Harden (or Thabo). Russell can create for his teammates but still has a suspect outside shot. Maybe a year or two he'll be averaging 1 3pm a game. At the forwards spot is where the Thunder are OUTSTANDING. Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. I see a breakout year for both of these players. The more experience they have, the more dangerous these two can be. I can see Durant averaging 27 a game while Green averaging 18. Let's just hope they can mature and play some defense eventually. This is their weak spot, the Center position. Nenad Krstic is soft and won't probably help them a lot. Nick Collison can get some minutes here but they should trade for a someone who can bruise inside. Their bench is what will kill them, they literally have no one. They are banking on a resurrection by the boy wonder, Shaun Livingston.

Playoffs or Bust? What do you think?

James Harden and Blake Griffin checking out the DJ Booth at an NBA Rookie Summer Leauge Photo Shoot.



Courtesy of OKC Twitter page: http://twitter.com/okcthunder

Well, it looks like its time to look ahead to the 2009 draft for our Thunder. Its has been a tough transition year but we can definitely turn it around in the coming years. It will be interesting to see who stands out in March Madness this year. If I were an online betting man and thought about a bet on March Madness, I would have to say that Oklahoma with Blake Griffin will be the ones on top.

Hopefully the ping pong balls drop right and and Mr. Griffin can grace the uniform of the Thunder. He will be a perfect complement to Durant on the floor. Hopefully he can help turn this thing around.

Out first preseason game tips off tonight.

And for all our readers in Billings, if you are over 6'8" and can play a little ball, come on down and I bet you can get some minutes for the Thunder.

Notes tomorrow.