When the Chris Wilcox/Malik Rose trade first happened, it ranked up there in things I don’t understand right next to why the ShamWow guy wears a headset and math. But after two small cameos, it’s already clear that this deal makes total sense.
No, Rose is not going to be a substantial, long-term contributor. He’s 34 and his contract is up this year and that’s his main value. His stint with OKC will probably last just 22 more games, but his immediate impact is being felt. He’s doing things Chris Wilcox rarely ever did.
While he doesn’t catch alley-oops and fly through the air throwing down jams, he does the dirty work – the little things absolutely necessary to win. Rose provides physical, low-post defense. He’s grinds in the post, is a boulder for any cutter that tries to skip through the lane and never takes a possession off.
And just like Sam Presti said, Rose is helping to create a culture where the younger guys pick up on that. It’s not like Wilcox was a bad guy or had a bad influence on anyone. He just wasn’t providing the Thunder with what they needed. He wanted big minutes and a bigger role, and he wasn’t going to get that. Rose can take these final 22 and serve as a much needed player coach to guys like Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Nick Collison and maybe someone that needs it more than anyone, Robert Swift.
Swift, who was a lottery pick with lots of potential, has the appearance of a guy that’s not panning out. And at this point, it may be wise for Swift to accept his role as a potential bench contributor that chips in 15-20 minutes a night and in a good season puts up seven points and five rebounds a game. And Malik Rose is exactly the type of guy that can help Swift learn that type of role. It’s a crucial role to fill for any good team and Rose has played it multiple times in his career. Swift could be that.
The thing about Rose is that he’s a total pro and what minutes he gets, he takes and uses them well. He hasn’t played much at all (just 45 minutes with the Knicks since Dec. 1) and is a little out of game shape. That’s probably why he didn’t play against Memphis. He’s going to see limited minutes and some games may not play at all. But he focuses on making a positive impact on the game when he is on the floor.
Already with Rose and Thabo Sefolosha in the mix, the defensive makeup of the Thunder has drastically improved. And this is nothing but positive. Kevin Durant, who isn’t the best defender out there, is now in a situation with quality defenders around him.
So while we all scratched our heads Feb. 23rd when Presti pulled the trigger on that Wilcox/Rose deal, and guys like me thought we’d never see Rose out of his warmups, it’s actually looking like an under-the-radar, shrewd move. He’s not a guy that’s going to have a hand in the Thunder’s bright future and his main value is his expiring contract, but his touch may be felt years down the road. You never knew what you were going to get with Wilcox. One night he’d throw up 15 and 10, but the next three he’d put up four and two. Rose is a constant and the type of guy that’s going to be a key cog in winning some games, but more importantly, showing the younger guys the tricks of the trade.
Player to player education in practice has a lot of value. I was just trying to avoid overhype. Player to player education by being in real games and seeing what works and what doesn't has a lot of value too.
Keith highlights the leadership issue. I think it is key. Not sure how far along Durant is at this point. Don't think Green is a leader, more focused on doing his job. Westbrook might with time. But odds are it will be Durant and probably should be Durant alone rather than some collective leadership. I worry a bit that Westbrook-Weaver-Durant-Green-White is one group and Collison, Krstic and maybe Sefolosha along with the current others are outside the "family". I think it would be bad to have a inner circle - outer circle. I'd hope Durant or Brooks try to make it one family.
If another year or two in Spain helps Ibaka's game, I'm certainly all right with that. I can't help but think though that he would develop faster on the Thunder bench practicing with our guys, or down the turnpike starting for our Tulsa D-league team. Thanks for the update!@MartzMimic
Interesting take, but I'm kind of with Crow that short-term teammates, especially deep bench ones, can only have so big an impact. Ultimately, the team mentality is determined by the best players. Sure, Rose can perhaps give Green a few pointers, and show Swift how to stay in the league, but Green will improve on his own, and honestly I never see Swift making a considerable impact on any team.
Look at the Celtics, from rags to riches when Garnett took control of the team. Look at the Cavs, from the Lebrons to championship favorites when LJ decided to make a run at DPOY. Look at the Pistons, from east beasts to east leasts when AI tried to make them a one-man show. Look at the Spurs, slow and steady wins the championships because Duncan is the ultimate in star consistency.
Ultimately, championships are won by great players forcing their desire into the hearts of their teammates. An assistant or bench guy who teaches Swift how to play hard for 10 minutes a game is cute, but it doesn't get the Thunder out of the NBA's basement. Sooner or later Durant is going to have to be more than just a good guy who is the heart of the team. He's going to have to learn to be more like Lebron, Kobe, and Garnett. He must take it upon himself to do everything necessary AND get on his teammates when they screw up.
In some ways I think the team already has the personnel for such a personality change to take place. Durant knows offense, in and out. He should be all over Westbrook for the way Westbrook plays on offense. And in turn, Westbrook should be all over Durant for the way Durant plays on defense. These guys can push each other in ways no coach ever can. Change the assistants anyway because they were part of Carlesimo's losing ways, but I think the most important thing Brooks or any assistant could do is to get Durant and Westbrook to embrace the role of team leader. Only then will the Thunder have a chance to be more than a collection of individual talents, they can be a team of hard working winners.
@Crow
That is a different relationship though, you need players who are willing to take that leadership role, and help mentor young guys as well as the coaches. Sometimes hearing something from a peer sticks a little more than when you hear it from your "boss". If nothing else its just another point of view, another set of eyes and another guy to reinforce doing the right thing. I think the biggest thing for the Thunders future success is making sure they get their young players surrounded by "quality" guys, and show them that the franchise is not completely about the bottom line and it rewards loyalty and hard work. In the end its a business, but when a team buys out a guy like Joe Smith, or trades a guy like Wilcox without the player having to force his way out it shows that the team will take care of its players within reason
More ex-players but preferably with coaching experience. Probably have to pay a bit more to get them but I think they should spend there.
I think the value of short-term teammates may get overrated but it does appear Presti believes it is useful so do it and see what it gets ya. Ordinarily assistant coaches do a lot of this knowledge passing on. If you need Rose than maybe Bryant wasn't that great. There really isn't anything Atkins should be able to say or do that Brooks can't do himself if he was the time to work with the guards 1 on 1. Even if they don't change head coaches, I'd lean -granted without knowing the inside story- toward replacing most or all of the assistants.
I wonder if anyone in the Thunder organization (players, coaches, GM, owners) looks at this blog? That would be cool. Anyway.. Royce you do an outstanding job. Best NBA team blog on the net. Keep up the good work.
Rose is a work horse. Some thing tells me Presti knew exactly what he was getting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WH9TZ9B6JM&feature=related
@TeddyMcG
Yes....very awesome link...
@TeddyMcG
Holy crap, what a class act. That was incredible. For this alone, I'm happy he's on our team.
I didn't realize that Ben. Should've looked that stat up. Good stuff.
Adding on to how the trade was beneficial for the Thunder.... With 5 games played for the Knicks, Chris Wilcox has one more rebound and one more point than Malik Rose has with two games played for the Thunder. It's funny to me how people said Wilcox would blossom with the Knicks. I just say he isn't very good. I'm very pleased with the trade, even if Rose had never played. Strengthening the locker room can go a long way with a young team. A+ for Presti.. Guy's a genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r83cWEZkVzk
If Malik can teach them anything he knows, I'm all for it. What a good guy!
MTCs--We need to "Swiftboat" Swift for whatever chump change we can get for him. Malik Rose shows me what Swift is supposed to be, and if I have to watch him limp off the court after 5 minutes no rebounds and no points one more time, I am going to personally go down and give him a thrashing!
@Vega--we already have a person for that job--Desmond Mason!
@Steve H
On the Oklahoman's live blog a week or so ago, the one of the sportswriters(can't recall if it was Darnell or Mike Baldwin) said they would be surprised if Ibaka comes over next year. I was looking at some other stuff on him the other day, and they said he is way, way raw.
@Steve H
I'm on the same page with you here about that. At times I feel like he's a lost cause, but he's not. He's still just 23. While he's not going to be a star center, he could be a contributor. And when you're playing against the talented bigs in the West, there's going to be foul trouble and guys are going to get beat up. So it could be nice to have a guy like that in your pocket - that is if he's willing to accept that role. Thus, Malik Rose... yada yada yada...
If we can get him for considerably less than we are paying him now (3.5 mill), I would love to see us re-sign Swift. We have a definite need for a back-up center, and Swift is as good as anyone we would likely be able to pick up this summer. I look forward to seeing him and Ibaka competing next year for back-up minutes behind Krispy. Personally, I have seen no reason to question his work ethic or intensity- he just looks like he's not in shape for extended minutes as a result of his injury related absences.
On a separate note, I've read that New Orleans and LA are both in the mix to get Joe Smith. Sure hope the Hornets pick him up- God knows they could use his help.
I don't know the reason, yet I still hope that Swift does well. Royce I agree, I think he was 'swift' in his movements last night compared to earlier this year.
I hope he stays with the team for no other reason that nights we go against Yao/Shaq.... ( I seem to remember Swift defending those two fairly well but my memory could be shot.
That's my point. Maybe this type of influence can help a guy like Swift understand what his role could be on a team. Because of injuries and maybe lack of talent, Swift is just not going to be the starter he wants to be. Maybe he moves on (and frankly, maybe that's what we hope for) but it looked to me like he was moving better last night and I'm just holding out hope he could get it straightened out and be a solid backup five at some point.
That's probably wishful thinking, but oh well...
Royce-
I agree that it appears Malik will be a great influence on this team over the next 22, and as we saw last night ay even give good minutes. Presti does it again, and that makes me happy.
But what about Swift? After these 22 games won't he be gone? Malik may help him through the end of the season, but won't that be it? Ad then what at Center?
Swift is too injury prone to be effective.
Swift absolutely has potential, but he doesn't seem to have that love for the game that the other young Thunder players have. Hopefully you're right and Malik will show him the value of being a role player. Depth at the C position isn't easy to come by, and he could be a key guy as OKC improves.
The Thunder should give Rose an assistant coaching job when his contract expires.
@MartzMimic
Haha, I'm with you on that. And he did a pretty decent job both times.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
But I don't know if there was a time back in his prime when he could really lay it down...
(I feel horribly ashamed that I know that song. Kill me someone. Now.)
Martz, are you saying that Malik isn't as good as he once was, but he's as good once as he ever was?
I was telling a friend at work that if we only brought Rose in to defend Dirk for 2 nights, I would be satisfied. I know I've said this before, but I see Malik being a lot like an old prizefighter. He's nowhere close to what he was, but he knows all the tricks in the book.