Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World says give up everything short of the farm to get Griffin: “The Thunder has a boy-genius 
in 32-year-old general manger Sam Presti, who was a Rhodes scholar nominee. But it doesn’t take a hoops Einstein to figure out that this state’s NBA franchise better figure out a way to get the draft rights to the best player this state’s produced since Tulsa’s very own wonderful Wayman Tisdale. It will, however, take someone with Presti’s intelligence to put together a deal that puts Griffin in a Thunder uniform without giving away the farm.”
Cavs.com’s awards: “Already coming off a solid freshman campaign that saw him win Rookie of the Year, Durant was even better this season – improving his scoring average from 20.3 ppg to 25.6. His shooting average is up (.430 to .479) and he’s grabbing over two more rebounds per game (4.4 to 6.5).”
In case you can’t find it, Ric Bucher’s interview with OKC’s Big Three. Man, I love these guys.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports looking at potential suitors for Griffin: ”For a team that’s scraping the bottom of the standings, the Thunder have an impressive array of assets at their disposal, starting with four first-round picks in the next two drafts. In addition to his own first in ’09, GM Sam Presti will receive another No. 1 from either San Antonio or Denver (whichever is better). They have no second-rounder this year, but the big payoff comes in ’10, when the Thunder get Phoenix’s unprotected first-rounder from the Kurt Thomas trade. Throw in the rights to Serge Ibaka and DeVon Hardin (who was almost sent to New Orleans as part of the aborted Tyson Chandler trade), plus $13 million in cap space this summer (including draft picks) followed by even more space in ’10, when the expiring contracts of Earl Watson and Damien Wilkins come off the books, and you have the makings of a potentially impressive turnaround.”
HoopsHype has a video interview with Shaun Livingston.
Pro Basketball News’ awards: “Our favorites are Boston’s Rajon Rondo, who has climbed from weak link to elite point guard; Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, who has transformed from naive gunner to all-around star; New Jersey’s Devin Harris and Orlando’s Jameer Nelson, who made the jump to All-Star status; and Indiana’s Danny Granger, who opened the most eyes over the season’s first half. However, Granger’s numbers are dramatically up only in points and blocks. His shooting, rebounding and steals actually are down from last season. Yes, he has improved. But not as much as Durant, who has lifted every aspect of his game to the cusp of superstar status and is still only 20.”
After tonight, the Ford Center renovation begins: ”The next time anyone watches the Thunder play a preseason game in October, capacity will be reduced by around 550 seats. Major additions will include: – A new $5.5 million scoreboard with video wings on the top and bottom and high definition-like quality. - Upgraded floors and wall finishes in Loud City. – 48 new box seating areas in the club area. – A new locker room the length of the court that will include weight equipment, video equipment and player-friendly amenities.”
AskMen.com has the top 10 “Hype Worthy Athletes of 2009″ and Kevin Durant is No. 1 (h/t donuteyes): “He’s only 20 years old, but Kevin Durant is the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. Durant may be one of the least talked about 25-point-per-game scorers, but that won’t last too long. He’s already playing at an all-star caliber and could legitimately dominate the sport for the next 10 years. Why he will be big in 2009: It’s hard to keep the wraps on one of the top 10 scorers in the NBA, so Durant should be a household name soon (the only reason he’s not right now is because the Thunder are one of the worst teams around). Almost all of his stats have improved by the month in the 2008-’09 season and he’s ready for stardom.”
SLAM featured Uncle Jeff’s stuff on the Birdman and I liked this comment: “Well, it is Green Week in the NBA.” Hiiiiii-oooohhh!
And since we gave Uncle Jeff love yesterday for his poster of the Birdman, here’s KD:
Adrian Wojnarowski looks at the NBA’s offseason coaching carousel: “Scott Brooks, the interim coach, likely will be brought back with a contract extension. As much as anything, Brooks oversaw the vigorous development of Kevin Durant.”
Steve Aschburner looks at it too, but doesn’t even mention the Thunder needing to fill their opening. I guess we’re all assuming Coach Scotty is here to stay. If he’s not, Sacramento may come back after him: ”The Kings gave serious consideration to hiring Scott Brooks two years ago before opting instead for Reggie Theus, who overachieved at 38-44 last season but got fired at 6-18 this time around. Sacramento’s losses have come at brisker pace since then, and the Maloof brothers, who own the Kings, aren’t the types to stick with a bad hand of cards. They are the team most in need of a big-name coach with more sizzle than Kenny Natt offers.”
should be "swap"
1 chance in 5 they draw #2 or #3.
Might be decent additional chance to trade for #2 or #3 though. Using Green or Westbrook and cap space in a multiple player deal that helps the other team and /or further considerations. Still tricky though. A team that really does not want Thabeet might be easy to find but for the #1 team to really want him is unlikely. If you get team that doesn't want Hill (unlikely I'd guess) I think there are a lot of teams that might consider a sway that involved Hill-Griffin. Would be hard to find just the right deals with 2 teams.
Probably only 1 in 10 chance the team who gets #1 trades the chance to take Griffin. Probably would have to offer a top 25-40 player or the 2nd or 3rd pick and other desired stuff. Minimum. Only Durant qualifies as the latter so unless they get or find a way to get #2 or #3 (1 chance in 5) they most likely aren't going to get into a Griffin trade discussion. The 1 in 11 chance they win the lotto ball draw remains their best chance.
I like Brooks and I like what he's done, but I am a bit hesitant as well. I am big on loyalty, so for that reason, you give him a short contract with a team option.
Coaches have a learning curve as well. Look at the great work McMillan is doing with Portland. I remember when he was the "interim" or middle of the season replacement for Paul Westphal. The team improved enough that he made the playoffs, but he missed the playoffs a couple of years too. He finally got the guys to a breakout season in 04/05. He had to learn some lessons along the way. He was always, maddeninigly toying with the lineups. He was definitely on the hot seat before the breakout season. Brooks, if you choose to stay with him, will also have some growing pains.
George Karl was fired from his first two jobs in the NBA before he had long term success with the Sonics. There will be a maturation process with Brooks. Will Presti endure it? Will he endure say, 28 wins next year? It's possible. But I think expectations will be high, as in, something very close to .500, and this team as it's currently constructed has only had a month or two at or around .500.
dork :
not sure if you have seen this one yet but from hoopsworld about the thunder http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12225
I love it when people post solid articles 45 minutes after I've posted something.
Thanks though. Interesting read.
not sure if you have seen this one yet but from hoopsworld about the thunder :) http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12225
@Kev
agreed...He's great for development and chemistry...
That's why I'm fine with taking him for two years and then getting a Napoleon...
I can't recommend Brooks take the job, and don't forget there is a reason why Presti hasn't jump the gun when everyone is talking about why Brooks hasn't gotten extended. Being a players' coach is fine, but at some point you have to instill discipline - The team's lack of intesnity over the last three weeks bothers me - alot . . . again, that falls on the head coach . . .
I don't know...I'm all for him getting the job...but I don't think he can take us to the promise land...I'd be surprised if we got to the Western Conference Championship with him...
(I know that's thinking wayyyyy down the rode...but no one can deny we have something going for us...especially if the big 3 resign)
Off-topic, but Royce mentioned Steve Novak in a previous entry. I think Novak would be a nice addition to the Thunder. Every team needs a three-point specialist, especially the Thunder, who, as we all are painfully aware, are terrified of shooting threes.
@Jordan
I'm in that camp anyway. I never really paid attention to coaching in the NBA until the Hornets got to town. I really liked Byron Scott, but I could tell (as could everyone else) that Scott and Chris Paul really had good chemistry. Their personalities fit well, they respected each other, and they worked well together.
I think Brooks is a player's coach. He's a guy who has been able to relate to the players, earn their respect. He lets them grow and learn without crushing their spirits with nagging negativity. So I think he's a good personality fit.
Also, I feel like he knows what it takes to get better, and be better. I think he gives the players something to work on, but not too much to overwhelm them. I heard him lay out the things that KD needs to do to get better, and I liked his plan. I think he's a good basketball mind.
Maybe he doesn't have a flashy resume. He doesn't have championships under his coaching belt. But I think he's the right guy for the job.
@Jordan
I would think so. I wrote something about bringing him back mid-January so I'm on the Brooks bandwagon.
We are all in agreement that Brooks needs to be back with a nice contract without a doubt right?