The 2013 Oklahoma City Thunder Roster: A Season of Greatness
The 2013 Oklahoma City Thunder season was one of the most memorable in franchise history, featuring a talented roster that took the league by storm. Led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder made a deep playoff run, ultimately falling to the Miami Heat in the Western Conference Finals. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the key players who made up the 2013 Thunder roster, exploring their stats, skills, and contributions to the team's success.
The 2013 Thunder roster was a well-rounded and athletic squad, boasting a mix of veterans and young players who complemented each other perfectly. At the core of the team were Durant and Westbrook, two of the most dominant players in the league. Durant, in his seventh season with the Thunder, was a perennial NBA scoring champion, averaging 28 points per game in 2013. Westbrook, on the other hand, was the team's primary playmaker and point guard, dishing out 7.3 assists per game while averaging 21.9 points per contest.
The supporting cast was equally impressive, featuring a talented crop of role players who provided defensive sting and scoring punch off the bench. Serge Ibaka, the team's defensive anchor, blocked a league-leading 3.0 shots per game, while Kevin Martin chipped in with 17.8 points per game as the team's primary scoring threat off the bench. Reggie Jackson, a young guard with immense talent, provided instant offense and leadership, averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 assists per game in his second season with the team.
Key Players
The 2013 Thunder roster was built around a few key players, each of whom brought unique skills and strengths to the table.
Kevin Durant
Durant was the undisputed star of the Thunder, a 6'10" small forward who averaged 28 points per game in 2013. A versatile scorer with the ability to play both inside and outside, Durant was a nightmare for defenders to match up against.
- Averaged 28.1 points per game, second in the league behind Carmelo Anthony
- Shot 48.2% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range
- Added 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook was the Thunder's primary playmaker, a 6'3" point guard who averaged 7.3 assists per game in 2013. A dynamic scorer with the ability to finish in traffic, Westbrook was a true threat on the court.
- Averaged 21.9 points per game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 33.5% from three-point range
- Added 5.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game
- Stole 5.7 balls per game, third in the league
Serge Ibaka
Ibaka was the Thunder's defensive anchor, a 6'10" power forward who blocked a league-leading 3.0 shots per game in 2013. A dominant force in the paint, Ibaka was nearly unguardable on the defensive end.
- Blocked 3.0 shots per game, first in the league
- Shot 48.6% from the field and 30.2% from three-point range
- Added 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game
The Supporting Cast
The 2013 Thunder roster was built around a talented supporting cast, featuring a mix of veterans and young players who provided defensive sting and scoring punch off the bench.
Kevin Martin
Martin was the team's primary scoring threat off the bench, a 6'7" shooting guard who averaged 17.8 points per game in 2013. A sharpshooter with the ability to score from anywhere on the court, Martin was a valuable asset off the bench.
- Averaged 17.8 points per game, shooting 45.4% from the field and 41.5% from three-point range
- Added 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game
Reggie Jackson
Jackson was a young guard with immense talent, a 6'3" point guard who averaged 13.1 points and 4.1 assists per game in his second season with the team. A skilled scorer with the ability to finish in traffic, Jackson was a valuable asset off the bench.
- Averaged 13.1 points per game, shooting 46.3% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range
- Added 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game
The 2013 Season
The 2013 Thunder season was one of the most memorable in franchise history, featuring a talented roster that made a deep playoff run. Led by Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder won 60 games during the regular season, earning the second seed in the Western Conference.
In the playoffs, the Thunder faced a tough matchup in the first round against the Houston Rockets, a team that featured a young and athletic core. Despite being underdogs, the Thunder emerged victorious in six games, thanks in large part to the heroics of Durant, who averaged 32.5 points per game during the series.
The Thunder then faced the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round, a team that boasted a strong defense and a talented cast of role players. Despite being pushed to six games, the Thunder emerged victorious, thanks in large part to the clutch performances of Westbrook, who averaged 26.3 points per game during the series.
The Thunder then faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, a team that boasted a strong defense and a talented cast of veterans. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Thunder pushed the Spurs to seven games, ultimately falling short in the series. Despite the loss, the Thunder had proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the league, and their 2013 roster would be remembered for years to come.
Legacy of the 2013 Thunder Roster
The 2013 Thunder roster will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest in franchise history. Led by Durant and Westbrook, the team made a deep playoff run, ultimately falling short in the Western Conference Finals. Despite the loss, the team's legacy will live on, serving as a testament to the talent and dedication of the players who made up the roster.
"This team was special," Durant said in a post-game interview after the team's loss to the Spurs. "We had a unique chemistry and a special bond that went beyond just basketball. We pushed each other to be our best selves, both on and off the court, and that's what made this season so memorable."
"I'm proud of what we accomplished," Westbrook added. "We made a deep playoff run and competed with some of the best teams in the league. We may not have won it all, but we'll always remember this season and the bond that we formed as a team."
The 2013 Thunder roster will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in franchise history, a testament to the talent and dedication of the players who made up the team. Their legacy will live on, inspiring future generations of Thunder players to strive for greatness on the court.
