The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in five games when most believed the 2012 NBA Finals set-up would go to seven given the competitive states of the teams involved. However, it's now been revealed that the Thunder weren't quite up to full strength in the middle.
Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins played the final three playoff rounds with a partially torn groin, league sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 22, 2012
Perkins is certainly a vital veteran cog in the middle to team with Serge Ibaka and his injury hurt the Thunder from being able to capitalize late. However to say that the Thunder might have won if he were healthy is a silly notion and takes away due credit to the Heat for their ability to win this series in only five games.
It will be interesting to see what the Thunder do with Perkins for the long haul and whether or not they try to trade him or make him an amnesty candidate.
For more on the 2012 NBA Finals, check out SB Nation's NBA page. For Thunder news, go toWelcome To Loud City, and for Miami Heat coverage, check out Peninsula Is Mightier.