NBA 2018-19: 5 reasons why the OKC Thunder could be a legitimate threat to the Golden State Warriors

4. Andre Roberson's comeback

Roberson is the main piece in OKC's defense

OKC was a strong defensive squad when Roberson played last year, but without him, they were an average defensive unit. Roberson tore his left patellar tendon in late January last season, which forced him to miss the rest of the 2017-18 regular season and the playoffs, where the Thunder lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round.

With Roberson gone, changes in defensive plans saw Paul George focusing more on the defensive side and the Thunder’s defense and all-around game was not as sharp.