The Oklahoma City Thunder (47-24) currently sit atop the Northwest Division, fourth in the Western Conference.  Obviously the team is squarely focused on preserving home-court advantage as the end of the regular season draws near.  Last season the Thunder gave the Los Angeles Lakers a real scare in the first round of the playoffs; ultimately, OKC could not overcome the Lakers’ distinct size disadvantage and lost the series (4-2).

 

This postseason, Oklahoma City is ready with new weapons in the front court.

 

It’s been just over one month now since the Thunder acquired centers Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed.  Since Perkins made his Thunder debut just six games ago the Thunder has gone 5-1, and that one loss (vs. Raptors, 95-93) could have, even should have, easily been a win.

 

With the two being crowned as the players who filled the Thunder’s defensive shortcomings, we wondered if the pressure to succeed was mounting.

 

"Well, you know, I’ve been in every situation possible, so I don’t feel any pressure," answered Perkins when HOOPSWORLD posed that question.  "I’ve just got to go out there and do what I do, do what I can. As long as I be honest with myself, hold myself accountable, we’re just gonna go from there.

 

"These guys are already good, so I just probably made them a little bit better," Perkins said with a sly smile.

 

The question begs: are Perkins and Mohammed the missing pieces that will propel the Thunder further in the playoffs this season?

 

"It’s always a good thing to be wanted," began Mohammed.  "Me and Perk, we’re just trying to come here and give a little physical presence, show our leadership, go out there and show our experiences (with) both of us winning championships."

 

"I’ve always said that we were a good team, and now we feel that we are a better team that still has work to do," explained Thunder coach Scott Brooks.  "We’re still a team that’s still developing.  We have to get better.  But Perk brings and Naz brings a lot of things that we need…that we can use…that we’re excited to have."

 

Some of those things Brooks refers to are veteran leadership and, as Mohammed mentioned, NBA championship experience.

 

To interested observers the team appears excited by the roster additions, but some teammates are hesitant to pronounce Perkins and Mohammed as "the" answer in pushing them further in the playoffs.

 

"I just look at them as two great additions to this team," Eric Maynor said.  "Guys that have been through it…knows what it takes…great teammates."

 

"I don’t even go there," added Daequan Cook.  "They come in and fill the places for this team.  They’re coming in doing a job that would we need to be done to help this team to win.  I’m not gonna say they’re the missing pieces.  We’re a good team.  You add them to it, it makes a better team."

 

On the other hand, one Thunder teammate enthusiastically agreed the two big men, both 6’10", have filled the Thunder’s holes on the defensive end.

 

"Two big enforcers," began Royal Ivey.  "Perk a great defensive big, one of the best in the league.  Nazr can step out and shoot the 17-footer.  He’s a good defensive big.  You need some veteran guys who have both been there to the promised land and won.  That helps the young guys out a lot.  It’s a good addition, both of them."

 

Ivey takes it even a step further when speaking about Perkins, who he calls a "defensive enforcer that brings a lot to the table."

 

"As he goes, we go," he said.

 

"We welcomed them in, and they bring it every day", shared Maynor.  "The thing about them both, they just want to win.  When you got guys that come in like that, it’s good for the team."

 

{AUTHOR_BOX}One NBA head coach stops shorts of proclaiming Perkins a probable impact-player for the Thunder by the time the playoffs roll around.

 

"That remains to be seen," said Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis.

 

"He’s always been a guy in Boston that they can allow him to play people one-on-one as opposed to not having to come down and help them," continued Rambis.  "He’s also done a real good job in learning their (the Thunder’s) system…how to help and clog up the lane.  He has the potential to be a good shot-blocker, charge-taker along with (Serge) Ibaka."

 

Rambis does admit Perkins "could be a key component for them" when the game slows down in the playoffs.

 

Brooks already sees Perkins’ positive impact on his team.

 

"I think he’s done a good job of really stepping up and figuring out how we do things," shared Brooks.  "I think he’s had an impact.  I look at him like a Nick Collison.  We don’t look at his stats, (and say) ‘OK, he had a great game tonight…he had eight points/eight rebounds.’  No, we look at the little things that he does. He’s a winner. He does a lot of things that helps you win, and a lot of those things, you don’t see them on the stat sheet.  But as you watch film – as you understand what he brings – he brings it every time down the court. He’s very consistent in his effort, and all of his plays are all about winning."

 

In the past six games with Perkins on the floor the Thunder limited their opponents to an average 91.3 points per game. That’s an amazing statistic given their season average is 101.0, not to mention the fact the league leader (Boston Celtics) boasts a slightly better 90.8 average points per game this season.

 

"Our defense has improved," Brooks said.  "One of the things that we want to continue to get better all year long was defense, and we have done that. We were good in spurts throughout the year. I think we’re starting the game off (with) better defensive focus."

 

With the Thunder, Perkins has averaged 23.8 minutes, logging 5.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, .700 field-goal percentage, and even added 1.0 steals and 1.3 assists.  His free-throw shooting of .438 leaves much to be desired.

 

"One thing about me, I’m not afraid to work on my flaws or anything to that nature," revealed Perkins when asked about his string of recent missed free throws.  "I don’t run from them.  So I will get in the gym tomorrow shooting a lot of them."

 

Perkins has already shown vocal leadership on the floor.  While Ibaka appears to be the one most benefiting from his on-court direction, Perkins hasn’t held his tongue to any player.

 

"That’s the kind of leadership you need," said Ivey.  "Somebody who’s gonna really lay the law and really hold everybody accountable.  That’s what he’s good at, and he’s been doing a pretty good job at it so far."

 

Mohammed, now in his 13^th season, has shown solid play during his 13 games thus far: in 17.8 average minutes, he has posted 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.  He’s looking ahead toward the postseason.

 

"We’re definitely starting to figure out one another, but we’ve still got a ways to go," explained Mohammed.  "We’re still trying to improve our defense.  We’re definitely trying to improve our half-court execution, because that’s what playoff basketball is about."

 

While Mohammed talks playoffs, Brooks looks to the big payoff.

 

"I think every team wants to win a championship, and we are no different than all the other 29 teams," Brooks noted.  "We’re putting pieces together.  Sam (Presti, the Thunder’s executive vice-president and general manager) has done a good job of building this team."

 

In just a few short weeks, answers will be revealed as to how far the new-look defense will take the Thunder.