The NBA Season 2015-2016: 10 Reasons To Be Excited

6. Batman & Batman

One of the more disappointing stories of the 2014-2015 season was that the Oklahoma City Thunder (who had been considered title contenders) were struck down with an almost comical number of injuries. Bench players like Perry Jones and Anthony Morrow missed chunks of the season and every single starting player missed multiple games due to injury. Most damaging of all was star small forward and reigning MVP Kevin Durant missing 55 games due to a foot injury that got worse as the season progressed and needed multiple surgeries. With him out of the picture, the pressure was on point guard Russell Westbrook, long the Robin to Durant's Batman, to step up and lead the team. Westbrook attacked the task like he attacks rims- ferociously and with no regard for his personal safety. He finished the season with the NBA scoring title (which had been held by Durant the previous year) and a place in the MVP conversation despite not making the playoffs. Durant is finally healthy again and if the preseason is anything to go by, it looks like this year Thunder fans will see double Batman as Durant and Westbrook both operate at the height of their powers. Given that KD's contract is up at the end of the season, watch for the Thunder to burn through the Western Conference with a whole new ferocity.