[分析外電] 季後賽落榜球隊的暑假作業－雷霆篇

The Top Offseason Task for Every NBA Team Projected to Miss the 2015 Playoffs

原文：http://ble.ac/1FUO4kV 

作者：Bryan Toporek, Featured Columnist

前言：最近最夯的體育話題當然是即將在週日凌晨熱鬧開打的NBA季後賽，但除了有晉級球隊的得冠機率與戰力優缺點外，一些無法拿到季後賽門票的球隊，其暑假發展其實也值得不少球迷注意。美國運動網站Bleacher Report上週就針對一些當時已經無法晉級季後賽，以及少數當時有機會但還無法打進八強(後來也證明還是被淘汰)的球隊，分析戰績不足以打入季後賽的原因，並說明這14隻球隊假如想在新球季有所進步並重返季後賽，在暑假需要注意的事項

今天我就從台灣球迷不少，而且今年球季發展頗戲劇化的雷霆，作為此系列分析文的第一炮，順便也當做我在「運動視界」部落格的處女秀

Oklahoma City Thunder: Avoid Overpaying Enes Kanter

雷霆：避免超價續約Enes Kanter

Regardless of how the playoff race shakes out, though, the Thunder should enter the offseason with one goal in mind: avoiding any panic moves in free agency.

無論雷霆有沒有打進季後賽，球團在暑假期間都要僅記一件事：避免在自由球員市場做出任何使球迷或老闆慌張的舉動。

Yes, Kevin Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2015-16 season, and Russell Westbrook will be one the summer after. No, the Thunder haven't won a title with this particular core, which has inevitably led to an endless stream of revisionist history about OKC's decision to trade James Harden in 2012.

沒錯，Kevin Durant(KD)將會在明年暑假變成「完全自由球員」，Russell Westbrook後年也會結束現有合約。沒錯，雷霆雙星到現在都還沒拿到總冠軍，這個殘酷事實也不可避免地讓雷霆迷想起2012暑假為了保持薪資彈性，把James Harden送到火箭之交易案造成的後續影響。

The worst thing the Thunder could do this offseason, however, would be compounding mistakes by overpaying free agents in a desperate attempt to convince KD to re-sign in 2016. In particular, that goes for center Enes Kanter's upcoming date with restricted free agency.

但雷霆在今年暑假有可能犯下的最大錯誤，卻是為了說服KD續留，以溢價簽下自由球員。特別是自家土耳其籍，剛跑完新人約所以有優先續約權的Kanter(阿坎)。

Kanter has given the Thunder a low-post scoring threat they've lacked since moving to Oklahoma City, but the same can't be said about his defensive abilities. In fact, OKC has the league's third-worst defensesince acquiring him at the trade deadline, and the Thunder have allowed opponents to outscore them by 1.4 points per 100 possessions with him on the court.

阿坎的確擁有雷霆自從搬到奧克拉荷馬後，球團尋求已久的長人低位得分能力，可惜他的防守能力卻無法相提並論。事實上，雷霆自從在今年二月交易大限得到他以來，防守數據就變成全聯盟第三糟糕的，有他在場上球隊甚至會落後對手1.4分(以每百次持球換算)。

That doesn't mean OKC should outright rule out re-signing Kanter in restricted free agency, especially given its right of refusal. However, if another desperate team throws anywhere close to a max-contract offer his way, the Thunder should think twice before matching, even if it sends a negative message to KD and Westbrook.