Spurs' Green says Thunder the favorite over Lakers, would like to play for Team U.S.A.
Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant will make the new-look Los Angeles Lakers a heavy 
favorite to not only win the Western Conference but the NBA crown as well. However, being overlooked are the defending West champs - Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have remained in tact, re-signed Serge Ibaka, and after a long march in the playoffs last season, they continued to develop more team chemistry which should also make them the favorites next season. And San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green agrees.
Green feels the Thunder are still the favorites despite the Lakers' offseason moves and says next season's Spurs squad will be better.
Green believes that this year the San Antonio Spurs will be better than in 2011 and will be contenders for the championship, but says Oklahoma is a big favorite over Los Angeles Lakers.
Green noted that the Lakers have made a great team in the offseason, but still have to see them on the court.
He is pretty much on point. There is no doubt L.A. made a huge splash in the offseason but there is something to be said about team chemistry - something OKC has and L.A. doesn't. Moreover, Howard will be out of action for most of the season (back surgery). Also, how will he adjust from being the main guy to being a role player with the Lakers? Nash, Bryant, Gasol and Howard will need a few months to get to know each other on the court while the Thunder will have a huge chip on their shoulders considering they are being overlooked in the West. On paper the Lakers look formidable... on paper.
As for the Spurs, they will have their hands full without having the size to contend with OKC and L.A. The team did stock up on guards but it won't be enough to take down OKC or L.A. unless they address the hole on the middle.
As for Team U.S.A. and their march to gold, Green says it would be a dream to represent the U.S. in Rio and could see himself playing in Spain after his time in the NBA is done.
What do you think Spurs fans? Do you agree or disagree with Green's thoughts on OKC vs. L.A.?
For a player who disappeared in the wcf, Mr. Green must be dreaming. Well, as I say, hope springs eternal.
Most may not see it, but Leonard and Blair are potentially the best post players on the Spurs right now, when it comes to making big plays. The energy and youth of Green, Leonard, and Blair, mixed with Tony and Tim was exciting to watch last year. With Neal, Manu, and Splitter energizing bench play and adding Diaw, Jax, and Mills the Spurs won some 24 games straight. Still wonder why Pop abandoned this exciting rotation last year!
But still the Spurs biggest concern is their "Post Play" in the 4th quarter, in the playoffs! Maybe Blatche if he gets his head on straight can help.
I'll give you a hint why pop abandoned that rotation, because splitter, green and blair, when he was in the game played intimidated and stupid, that's why they weren't in the game
Diaw and Splitter are good post players in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd quarters, but will probably not make big plays consistently in the 4th quarter especially in the playoffs!
Green, Leonard, Neal, and Blair will all be better, but how do the Spurs improve over last year when their "Post Play" is getting worse. Timmy will not have the year he had last year. Unless Pop trust Leonard and Blair to work in the Post in the 4th quarter Spurs will not improve over last year
@prjSpurRon If you consider the fact that Blairs rebounds went down last year vs. ppg went up a bit, it's hard to claim he "improved" at all..so why would you assume he would suddenly improve in year FOUR?
Green is correct in saying OKC is still the favorite because they are the western conference champ. You got to beat them to take them out!!! As for green going to the Olympic team he needs to make the Allstar team first.
@LiveSpurs Not necessarily. The ASG is a popularity contest, weekend fun and everyone wants to be in it. The USA team is at least a full summer commitment, for a couple of years. A lot of people are not exactly eager to join. Also, the ASG game doesn't asks for any defense and most players in it are good one-way players while the USA team sometimes has people that are nothing but defense and dont-mess-it-up offense. If Danny Green keeps getting better, he could be the equivalent to Iguodala of future USA teams. I wouldn't rule out both Green and Leonard making the team in the near future, or at least be considered before the last cut.
