I've got 99 Problems and the Thunder are One

Thunder

I am so sick of the NBA billionaire owners complaining that small market teams can't compete financially.  I understand that big market teams have an advantage, but you can't change that, so quit bitching and win. And if that means spending a few million over the salary cap to keep James Harden you better do it.  The Thunder have sold out every game the past four seasons, have one of the most marketable players in Kevin Durant.  If you can't make money under those circumstances you don't deserve to own a team. Here's a theory, you risk short term gains and sign Harden to an extension. The Thunder are valued around 500 million, with the addition of Harden say you win 3 out of the next 8 titles. In the process you build a small dynasty and become one of the best teams in the NBA. With this success the team's increase in worth would far outweigh the small luxury tax penalty. Another thing to consider is that the Thunder have been the bandwagon team of the past year, growing fast in popularity. They could of chose to build on this and become the cool team of NBA but it seems they will fade away like Crocs.  I understand that the Thunder can still compete, but I feel Harden would of made them the favorites over the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Lakers

Oh do I love seeing the Lakers struggle, here are some potential problems I see.

• The offense has always been run through Kobe.
• The offense has always been run through Nash.
• The offense has always been run through Howard.
• Kobe is one of the most competitive athletes around.
• Howard is one of the least competitive athletes around, and was very unpopular because of that during the 2008 olympics.
• Kobe is 34, and has to go to Germany to receive treatments on his knee.
• Nash is 38, and has already missed games this year.
• Gasol runs an illegal magic ring, where he disappears for games at a time.
• Howard had back surgery this offseason.
• Nash and Kobe don't play defense.
• They have the worst bench in the league, they could have open tryouts tomorrow and four WNBA teams would be contacted about the availability of their players.
• Mike Brown is not a good coach.
• To wrap it all up, they have a fairly old team, that is injury prone, not well coached, and have personalities and play styles that don't gel together.

I realize they will probably figure it out with all the talent they have, but I would love to see this team self implode. The NBA is great right now.  There has never been more story lines, and when we look back in 20 years, these will be the glory days of the NBA.