Berry Tramel: OKC Thunder must 'pay its dues' before winning a championship

 
By Berry Tramel | Published: March 17, 2011    Comment on this article Leave a comment

The Oklahoman sports columnist Berry Tramel answered questions from readers in today's Power Lunch chat. Read the entire chat recap here. Participate in our Power Lunch chats Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. at NewsOK.com/sports and pick up Monday's Oklahoman for Berry's 68-team OU coaching search bracket.

photo - Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook (0) recovers a loose ball as Miami Heat's Chris Bosh (1) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The Thunder won 96-85. (AP Photo)
Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook (0) recovers a loose ball as Miami Heat's Chris Bosh (1) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The Thunder won 96-85. (AP Photo)

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On how far the Thunder will go in the playoffs and if there's a chance Oklahoma City could win the title:

Depends on the bracket. I like OKC in the first round. But Thunder-Spurs in the second round? Tough, but San Antone is not playing as well as it was earlier, and the Thunder is playing better. OKC could beat the Spurs. The Lakers would be tougher. [A championship is] a longshot. The Thunder has not ripened. You've got to pay your dues. If the Thunder wins a playoff series this year, that's a great step. I think eventually OKC will win the NBA Finals, but there's nothing easy about it.

On Kendrick Perkins' offensive game:

I don't care if Kendrick Perkins takes the ball and punts it into the seats every time he gets it. I love his defense and his attitude. But his offense isn't nearly as bad as everyone thinks it is. He's not horrible on the post. He's made a few moves. And I think he can clean up on the offensive glass.

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