I’d be shocked if Oklahoma City lost in the first round, even if they played Memphis. I just think with (Russell) Westbrook and (Kevin) Durant healthy, I would fully expect them to win and I would expect them to beat the Clippers, assuming they play them in the second round. What I am really interested in, is if they were to meet San Antonio, the rematch of two years ago. What was different then is that James Harden was around. The Spurs were in control in that series and Oklahoma City got loose and they just rolled the Spurs, but a lot of that was Harden, who was really good in that series. Kind of big picture-wise looking ahead, can they beat the Spurs and Miami, the top teams in the league without the Harden component?

Who do you like in a Thunder-Spurs series?

We’re doing the West finals, TNT is. I don’t subscribe to that theory if you’re doing the game, you shouldn’t make any predictions. Who cares? People are going to hate me regardless. Whether it’s Kendrick Perkins or a fan, somebody is going to disagree with something I say. I am going to predict the Spurs will get out of the West. They have been the best team, obviously record-wise. To me, Kawhi Leonard is the key guy for them. They have a lot of talent and different parts that are all very important. They went 10-2 without Tony Parker. Their record without Kawhi Leonard is nowhere near as good. I think Kawhi is equipped as anybody to at least give Kevin Durant some problems, not that he is going to hold him to a low number of points, but just make him work. As long as he’s there, I give the Spurs a slight edge.

In the East, the top-seed Pacers have struggled lately. Will they make the conference finals?