Thunder's moves make them force to be reckoned with in West

By Michael Dugat FOXSportsSouthwest.comOnce upon a time, dinosaurs walked the earth, continents had yet to drift apart and the Oklahoma City Thunder were a fear to be embraced in the light of another day yet to arrive. How quickly things change.In the blink of an eye two separate deals redefined how we perceive this Thunder team once lacking length and veteran leadership.Gone are Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, replaced by Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson from Boston, while D.J. White and Morris Peterson are on their way to Charlotte for Nazr Mohammed.Assuming passed physicals and a full return to health from the sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, the addition of Kendrick Perkins to a young squad already defined by two rising stars, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, carries the promise of a seismic shift within the Western Conference. Whether it comes in the next 26 games, or a step further down the road, its hard to deny the forecast predicting a change at the horizon.The next step has been taken to begin the evolution from up-and-comer to contender. With the introduction of Perkins, who provided the epitome of an interior presence defined by gritty toughness while serving as the starting center for the Boston Celtics, and to a lesser degree Mohammed, the Thunder have corrected their most glaring weakness: the lack of a defensive-minded center to protect the paint and collect rebounds amidst the length of the top teams in the Western Conference, from Pau Gasol to Tim Duncan to Tyson Chandler.Speaking of Chandler, OKC fans have undoubtedly noticed him flourishing in Dallas this season, allowing memories of a failed physical and rescinded trade to serve as a reminder of what could have been. In a single move, Sam Presti washed that rare mistake away in the light of two deals carrying the possibility of deep ramifications within, and beyond, the team hes constructed.Beginning with the internal shift, in Krstic, the Thunder traded a center ranked 38th among centers in rebounding. Perkins is 11th. Combine the vast difference in proficiency on the boards with an equal upgrade in defensive abilities, and one area of improvement is immediately clear, yet the transition carries on to the next position.With his three-point shot eroding to a career-low 30.4 percent and an inability to control the paint at either end of the court, Jeff Green, while a talented player, was never an ideal fit beside Kevin Durant. Often outmatched from the tip, Green was asked to match up with opposing power forwards, allowing Durant to prowl his natural small forward position. Paired with Krstic, Greens weaknesses were further magnified, as he ranked 26th in rebounding among power forwards on pace to accumulate 800 rebounds or play in at least 70 games this season. In his place, Serge Ibaka will likely step into the starting lineup. Where there was once a lack of size or bulk with Krstic and Green, there is now a duo ready to intimidate defensively while also cleaning the boards.Another benefit might be an added level of protection for Durant and Westbrook when they drive into the paint. Teams might reconsider delivering of a hard foul to the star tandem with Perkins as the Thunder's new enforcer. Nothing against Green, White, Peterson or Krstic (chair throwing aside), but none of them have the imposing disposition of Perkins.Enveloped within these changes, the label of a finesse, offensive-minded team has morphed into a more balanced roster that might have added the pieces to match up with the NBA's elite. It might be unfair to expect a complete turnaround in the remaining 26 regular-season games, but there stands little doubt that this deal has caught the opposition's attention.