As we head into the final month of the regular season, playoff bound teams like ourselves are beginning to assess where they stand, and what they need to improve heading into the postseason.

From top to bottom, the West this season is as tough as it’s ever been. We’ve played all our likely Western Conference opponents a good two, three and in some cases, even four times. We should have an understanding of the opposing personnel, what teams like to do, and their strengths and weaknesses.

So here in Oklahoma City, we’re looking at every team as a challenge. We have to show everybody the proper type of respect. That goes back to what we’ve tried to do all season long, which is focus on our growth and development. We understand that if we are where we need to be, our opponent really doesn’t matter.

Overall, we’re in a good place in terms of starting to find our way. In the last few weeks, we’ve welcomed Russell Westbrook back into the lineup, and added Caron Butler to the rotation, two great additions to our team.

Those things, plus improving news on the health of Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha, put us on a positive track in terms of getting healthy. We’re looking forward to getting all of our players back, and being in a position to play our best basketball at the right time.

That said, injuries and different things happen to all teams. We have plenty of guys who are capable of helping us be successful. The most important thing to remember is that no matter who’s in the lineup, each guy needs to have the same level of commitment and focus when they’re out on the floor.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

With a month left to go in a full season, I’m happy to say that I’m feeling good. In fact, one of the most enjoyable parts of this season has been that not only have I had the opportunity to be with this team since the beginning of training camp, but physically, I’ve put myself in a position where I’m as healthy as I’ve ever been at this point.

My body is feeling great. My energy levels are great. Our coaches, our training staff and the medical staff have all done an excellent job putting me in the best position to be successful and help the team. From managing my minutes to managing the practice days to being cognizant of the way I’m training in between games, it all has come together very well this year.

Because of that, the topic of my retirement has come up in the locker room a little bit in the last few weeks. The most I can say on the matter is that it’s flattering and humbling to have my teammates and people around me say that they feel I’m still capable of playing, and helping the team beyond this year. It’s good to know and to hear. But it’s honestly not something that we spend a lot of time talking about, or something I spend a lot of time thinking about.

For now, I’m going to stick with what I said to start the season. I feel that’s for the best until this year is up, and I can reassess how I’m feeling physically and psychologically, and look at where things stand personally, as well as what’s best for my family. It’s too soon for me to look that far ahead.

We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, hopefully sometime in July.

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE NBA

We recently played the Lakers in a Sunday afternoon game on ABC, and it was quite the experience, even though we lost the game.

Interestingly enough, I didn’t find myself experiencing any strong emotions about it being my last game against the Lakers at Staples Center. There was no special meaning to it, or additional emotional baggage in that regard. But it did cause me to reflect a bit on the past. After 18 years of playing this game, there I was on a Sunday afternoon in LA, playing in front of millions of NBA fans on national TV.

It really just felt like another great opportunity as an NBA player. It wasn’t so much about the Lakers and LA, but just more so the idea that at this point in my career, these types of games are still exciting and fulfilling to be a part of. Just being involved in that type of experience is something that has never been lost on me. You grow up watching those weekend afternoon games on television and to still be in those games at this point in my career – no doubt – I think was the most fun part of it.

It’s pretty interesting to still be a player in the league in 2014, and compare it to when I came into the NBA in 1996. It’s amazing to have experienced and witnessed the growth of the league. And it’s incredible when you think about how far-reaching and broad the NBA’s outreach to fans all over the world has become in such a short period of time.

Fans don’t necessarily have to look for the NBA anymore. It’s always right there. Everywhere you look, the NBA and NBA personalities permeate just about everything. The social media platform that exists for basketball players and athletes in the league is amazing. The league’s best players and personalities are on your smartphone and in your commercials. They have television shows, movies, billboards, et cetera. It’s non-stop.

It presents an interesting debate about the dichotomy between where the league is going, and where all of this fits into the balance between the purity of the game of basketball, and this idea that basketball is entertainment and a brand more so than a game.