FreeDarko will be coming out with a new book in time for the 2010-11 season. Color me freaking stoked. If you 
haven’t read The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac, well, then you should read it. I can’t wait for it to get made into a movie. I hear Michael Bay is directing.
Hey everybody, Tyson Chandler just had ankle surgery. Oh yeah, and another surgery on his TOE: “The New Orleans Hornets say center Tyson Chandler and forward James Posey both had successful surgeries for their injuries. Team spokesman Dennis Rogers said late Tuesday that Chandler had a procedure on his left ankle to relieve inflammation and another on his left toe.” Well well well…
I saw Taken last weekend (pretty good movie – not a ton of substance, but if you like broken arms, really fast hand-to-hand combat moves and deadly gun shots, it’s for you) but I couldn’t help but think about how much Scott Brooks like Liam Neeson. I think someone pointed that out last week in the comments, so the entire movie I sat there thinking, “Man, he DOES look a lot like Scott Brooks.” And therefore I told my brother-in-law this every other scene.
The LA Times Ted Green on a potential Clippers trade: “Entertaining almost anything except a change in ownership is almost always a very bad thing for them and probably a very good thing for Blake Griffin, who, if he’s lucky, will escape Don T’s Inferno. This presumably means the Clips are talking to people, NBA people, and that in turn means The Donald is listening to what these other teams have to say … Everyone knows the Clippers can screw up a two-car funeral, but there is one way they won’t/can’t mess this up. If the league wants Oklahoma homeboy Griffin to stay put and play for Oklahoma City, the Clippers have to get Kevin Durant and nothing less than Kevin Durant in return for that number one No. 1. Next to LeBron James, Durant is the next great scorer in the league, and he would score a lot of points for the Clippers, albeit many of them meaningless.” Kevin Durant for Blake Griffin? That’s a wee bit steep, isn’t it?
D.J. Foster of Clipperblog has a mega-deal that sends Griffin and another Clipper to OKC:” Barring catastrophic injury, Oklahoma City native Blake Griffin will most likely join the list, and you have to imagine that a franchise in the NBA’s smallest market — a franchise that happens to be in need of big man – just might be willing to compensate the team holding Griffin’s rights a king’s ransom to get a hometown hero in uniform, on billboards, and out into the community. On the other hand, there’s little in Sam Presti’s history as a strategist to suggest that he’d factor in a variable like where a player happened to play his amateur ball into any transaction.”
SLAM’s mock draft: “Harden was intriguing as the best two guard prospect in the Draft and a gifted passer in his own right, and Hill’s toughness could really bolster our frontline. I still hadn’t entirely made up my mind on the selection, and decided to take a nap before we went on the clock. During my rest I kept having this nightmare where a red Hawk flies away from what looked like Atlanta with a solid, but far from spectacular forward, passing over two diamonds in the shape of a No. 3 and an No. 8. I woke up scared to death, and ready to draft Rubio.”
HoopsWorld on the draft’s buyers and sellers: “Washington – No one’s quite sure what the Wizards are going to do with that #5 pick since all of the players they hoped to nab in this draft will likely be gone by then. While it’s possible they could look into moving that pick, it’s more likely that they’ll move the #33, which sits right on top of the second round. We’ll see a lot of great players land in that 30-35 area because teams could look to draft Europeans late in the first round to avoid paying guaranteed contracts next season. That #33 could carry a lot of value for the Wiz.”
Is Marcin Gortat’s stellar postseason pricing him out of Orlando?: “It means the Magic have $63 million committed to their roster for 2009-10 should Turkoglu opt to terminate his deal. If they sign him, add about $10 million to that. They can match any offer to Gortat due to his restricted status, but they are already in luxury tax territory at that point. Plus, that $73 million is for just 10 players, so if they add Gortat’s contract they need to add at least one more player just to have a full roster. (They could waive Rafer Alston, whose contract is not fully guaranteed, and save some money, but that doesn’t seem likely at all.) Orlando does not have a draft pick this year, but are rumored to be looking into buying one. But what is Gortat’s value? They are quite a few teams who might want to add a center to their roster, up-and-coming teams like Oklahoma City and maybe even good teams like Dallas and San Antonio. History shows us that teams will overpay for size – especially if that size has flashed talent – so given that it’s hard to think Gortat’s free agent value is less than the Median Level Exception. In fact, teams looking at Gortat will probably be the exact same teams that are looking at New York Knicks restricted free agent big man David Lee – but Gortat should be cheaper than the rumored $10 million per year Lee will be seeking.”
Orlando Magic Daily on Gortat: “And now, we all face the truth – there’s absolutely no way Marcin Gortat will be in Orlando next year, and Hedo Turkoglu’s chances of staying with the team are growing slimmer by the day. The Magic are a hair below the tax threshold at the moment, and with the salary cap sinking this offseason, Otis Smith and Co. have some work to do to avoid paying the luxury tax next season – something the team has never done and vowed never to do.”
Jonathan Givony with Jordan Hill: “Jonathan Givony: How much room do you have left to grow still, as a player? Jordan Hill: I still got a lot more, a lot more. I’m very coachable, my talent, my potential is still coming out right now, I still got more post moves that I can learn, I can get my feet quicker, my mid-range could be 80%. I think I can get out there with the three point shot, if I keep working at it. I can definitely get a lot better right now.”
Chad Ford on Jonny Flynn: “Once you get over looking down at Flynn, there isn’t a lot to pick apart. He may be short, but his body isn’t frail. He has thick legs and a thick chest. He’s an explosive athlete who, on Thursday, stood underneath the basket and jumped up and dunked the ball flat-footed. He has terrific lateral quickness and can change speeds on a dime. He has a good handle and floor vision. Most importantly, he’s a leader … Over the past few weeks, a number of GMs seem to have been warming to Flynn and he looks like a potential lottery pick at the moment. A number of teams in the lottery including the Kings (No. 4), the Wizards (No. 5), the Timberwolves (No. 6), the Warriors (No. 7), the Knicks (No. 8), the Bucks (No. 10), the Pacers (No. 13) and the Suns (No. 14) all need point guards. And after speaking with at least one source from every team, I learned Flynn is in the mix for all of them.”
Nick Collison appears to be Twittering. I assume that’s real, but we’ve all been down this road before.
@Vega
You aren't gonna jump off a bridge when we win 28-32 wins right?
I wonder if we could just bribe Memphis into passing on Rubio. He is a problematic pick for them anyway, and I have seen several sites projecting Thabeet as their pick. Since we are both under the cap there doesn't need to be any parity in salaries exchanged. Maybe we could just GIVE them Nick Collison in exchange for not picking Rubio. Nick is a solid player who might very well become their new starting PF. If we can land Griffin, 6+mill per is a lot to pay for a a back-up PF when DJ White is both promising and inexpensive. Anybody in favor of sending Collison and a nice fruit basket to Memphis in exchange for picking anybody Rubio?
@Vega
Oh to be so optimistic. Isn't the off-season grand? :)
I see The Thunder's ceiling next year as 35 wins...and that's a high ceiling unless Rubio (or a much better and NBA ready Harden), Gortat and some serious contributor (maybe an improved White, Weaver, Thabo + a 3 point shot) are in the mix.
I think there is a decent chance that we make the playoffs next year as the seventh or eighth seed.
@Vince
Oh...but there is no way will be in the playoffs next year...
The ONLY chance is if we get Griffin (w/o loosing Green) & sign Gortat.
But I don't see any of that happening...
@Vince
I pretty much agree with you but I do think Collison will be up for trade in the next two years. He's going to be valuable to a playoff team looking for a balls to the wall player. That will open up a spot for Ibaka if he can fill it.
Isn't Ibaka struggling for time on a bad team in a really bad league? If I remember right he's on the 8th worst team in that league and it's not a deep league. I could be wrong though.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Agreed. The only way a swap takes place is after Memphis selects Thabeet, or like you mentioned, if the Thunder swapped picks with Memphis. I don't think Clippers management would simply "hope" that Rubio is there at pick 3.
@Vince
lol, competative for the playoffs, cute!
Personally, I don't know that Ibaka will ever have a role on this team.
True, but even if he's on the active roster, I don't see him getting much playing time, if any. He's raw and (obviously) untested, (which is fine -- that's what late first picks are for), he's not yet 20, and he's behind Collison, Krstic, White, and Green, even assuming we don't wind up with another big this off-season. It's going to be hard to justify giving Ibaka PT, particularly if the Thunder get off to a near-.500 start and give any hope of all at being competitive for the playoffs in the spring.
@Vince
Ibaka is already scheduled to play summer league games this year. D-league, even joining team doesn't seem like much of a stretch to me from there.
p :
very eager to see if ibaka can PLAY in okc this season!?…
I'm eager to own a brand new Ferrari this year. Looks like we're both out of luck.
very eager to see if ibaka can PLAY in okc this season!?…
i think i just have a fondness for uncle jeff!
(a friend & i had this convo 2 months ago when he asked what i expected blake to average) ... i told him 17 & 11 in his first year ... he didn't think blake would get a double double ... long story short, he felt that if i thought blake could do that as a rookie, it should be a no brainer ...
i'm an intangibles/chemistry type of guy tho ...
i know blake will be very solid at minimum ... i'm just partial to green ... like royce, i'd probably come to grips with it in 2.2 seconds! ...
as far as all team needs addressed with griffin harden & mcgee, i wouldnt disagree ... but i think building a team with a starting lineup of all 21-22 year olds is a bad recipe ...
that said, i'm very eager to see if ibaka can pay in okc this season!?...
@Steve H
There it is, the deal I want. Take on Davis' contract to get Griffin, unload him for Harden and shorter bad contracts whom we won't feel forced to play.
I'd also say a three way deal could be worked out with Golden State if we had to take back Davis but didn't want to keep his contract. They still love the guy up there, and he is tailor made for Nelson's system. With how little Nelson seems to care for bigs, we might be able to move Davis for Biedrins and filler.
ted green must be outta his rabid mind!
& the freedarko book is great!... even the d rose & d howard commercial "spin-offs"!
I have repeatedly read that if the Wizards can't land Griffin or Rubio, they would prefer to move their pick. How does this sound- After making Mr. Foster's proposed deal, we package B.Davis, San Antonio's pick this year and our remaining first rounder for next year for Harden, McGee and enough expiring junk contracts to make the money come out right (James and Eton are likely candidates). I'd even be willing to throw in our 2011 pick or Ibaka to make that work. No more rebuilding. Done. Every team need addressed. Griffin,Harden and McGee added to our current roster for the price of Green,Watson,Atkins, a hand-full of picks and one year/12 mill worth of bad contracts that roll off the summer of 2010.
@D.J. Foster
Do I like your proposal- hell yes. I just posted on your site accepting the offer with one adjustment- make it Atkins instead of Sefalosha. Atkins has a buy-out clause for 740k that would essentially result in the clippers shaving 2million+ off of your payroll for cap purposes.
@Nix
It isn't outside the realm of possibility, but I'm like you, I take us out of the running because of it's probability.
1. Clippers would have to decide they don't want Griffin.
Of course, it's the other GM's job to talk them out of Griffin by offering a deal. If they want Griffin just a tad more than Rubio, then the GM that lands Rubio could tempt the Clippers into a trade. Most likely by taking on one of their bad contracts. If they want Griffin a ton more than they want Rubio, and Rubio is their second choice, then the GM has to trade those two pieces, plus a bad contract, plus something else (probably another draft pick, an expiring contract, something like that).
2. Memphis would have to decide Thabeet is a better option than Rubio.
The rumors have this being the case already. But a savvy GM such as Presti might trade spots with Memphis. Swap picks 2 and 3 for an expiring contract and/or a future pick. Something like that. Memphis still gets their guy in Thabeet, we get that Rubio piece that we can then use to bargain for Blake.
It's all possible, but it just depends on how many teams are willing to play, and how they evaluate the talent that could come their way.
@J.G.
I know...I actually voted against the trade sending Green there.
When I really come down on it, I take us out of the running for Griffin. Two crazy things would have to happen 1. Clippers would have to decide they don't want Griffin. 2. Memphis would have to decide Thabeet is a better option then Rubio.
I just don't believe Rubio will slip to #3.
@Nix
That is something I've thought of as well. We know Durant loves Jeff Green, but it's not like Blake Griffin wouldn't fit in. He's a goofy guy, but also one heck of a dude. He comes from a great background and would fit in beautifully.
I actually kind of go back and forth about Jeff Green for Blake. For the most part, I like Jeff Green because I don't think his potentially has been tapped. But I'm sure I'd get used to the idea of having Griffin about .0003 seconds after the trade was made.
You don't trade a potential MVP/superstar's BFF, especially when he is really good friends with the second building block of your franchise AND he showed significant if not HUGE improvement from year one to year two.
Sorry, Nix, but I don't see Griffin's tour guide abilities overcoming all of that, you know?
@Royce
Just thought of something I never thought of...
Blake Griffin knows OKC and he could show Durant/the team more reasons to like OKC and Oklahoma as a whole. Also, I know his family and they are super nice. They might take in the younger players as well.
That's one aspect of 'chemistry' I haven't thought of or ever heard anyone mention.
@D.J. Foster
Jax bascially summed up exactly how I feel about it. That's why I want to keep Uncle Jeff. I mean, HE'S UNCLE JEFF!
@D.J. Foster
I'm mixed on a Green + X = Griffin deal. Griffin is the better prospect, but I'm already emotionally invested in Green. So is Kevin Durant. If I thought losing Green would result in a disinterested KD, there is no way I do the trade.
Just don't ask me after a game where the other team scores 24 points in the 4th quarter on him.
@Kev
Ah, thank you, I found the poll you were referring to. Very interesting stuff.
by the way, Sefoloaha is already a great wing defender, he will get more props as our team improves . . .
we had a poll earlier this week in another column -
I think it came out yes 55, no 45 . . .
If you're talking about the trade where we acquire Baron Davis - I say no way . . .
My apologies for calling Jeff Green a defensive minded player. I shouldn't have grouped him in with Sefolosha, who in my opinion has the potential to be a great wing defender. After watching a full season of Al Thornton and Zach Randolph wander around aimlessly on the defensive end, I would probably describe any other player with a pulse as defensive minded. Still though, my mistake.
What do you guys think of the trade? I read a post a few days back in which Royce stated that he would not give up Jeff Green to get Blake Griffin. Do you all feel the same way?
@Kev
In the long run I can definitely see that being one of the scariest backcourts in the NBA, but next year would definitely be a...learning experience, for sure.
Although, Rubio is not nearly as bad a 3 point shooter, based off his stats, as everyone makes him out to be. He shot 42% from 3 this year in the ACB. It's his shot inside the arc that hurt him, making only 3 of 8 shots per 40 minutes.
So as long as one of the two can spread the floor at least A LITTLE BIT, next year could be fairly intriguing with the athleticism and scoring upgrade at the 2 in RW and the overall playmaking, vision and passing upgrade at the 1 in Rubio.
In the long run, maybe the RW-Rubio backcourt works, but next year would not be pretty . . .
@Nix
Krstic is MUCH more athletic than Z as well. I think the Tin Man is much more athletic than Z. Which means Gortat is much more athletic than Krstic. :)
By the by, Chad Ford still has the Grizzlies taking Thabeet and the Thunder taking Rubio, moving RW to the 2 (and hopefully giving him a sweet 3 point shot, while we're at it).
KingGondo :@Nix
I’m afraid Birdman enjoyed his time in OKC a little TOO much, if you know what I mean.
Thank you for saying that...I didn't have the heart to.
@Kev
Kristic would cause Gortat to be less athletic. You have to combine the good with the bad, but I guess Iggy has a way better jump shot then Kristic.
@Nix
I'm afraid Birdman enjoyed his time in OKC a little TOO much, if you know what I mean.
Nix :Combine Kristic and Gortat and you have Illaguaskas…Bald with a jumpshot…@J.G.You
might actually be surprised. Birdman’s mentor lives in Okc, and he said he absolutely loved his time here.
come on, Gortat is MUCH more athletic than Z . . .
OH SNAP! I just won one of the player banners that hangs in the Ford Center. You know, the massive ones with a pic of their face name and number?
www.twitter.com/okcthunder
They do random give aways.
Sadly it was Chucky Adkins banner...That will be worthless next season. I'm gonna see if I can trade it to Buffalo Wild Wings for some food.
Combine Kristic and Gortat and you have Illaguaskas...Bald with a jumpshot...
@J.G.
You might actually be surprised. Birdman's mentor lives in Okc, and he said he absolutely loved his time here.
Keith :@BernardIn some respects, yes, Lee is a lot like Collison. He gets a lot of his points off putbacks, running in transition, and getting himself in the right place for a pass. They are both hard workers who hustle and do the little things. The difference, and it’s an important one, is that Lee does everything Collison does better. Everything. Just take Nick Collison and add on to every talent in his body and skill he’s developed.
On one hand you could say, “Well, they do all the same things.” And you would be right. Or, you could take a step back and say, “Collison is a poor man’s David Lee. He’s solid off the bench, but could never have the impact in the starting lineup that Lee has.”
excellent post . . .
@Bernard
In some respects, yes, Lee is a lot like Collison. He gets a lot of his points off putbacks, running in transition, and getting himself in the right place for a pass. They are both hard workers who hustle and do the little things. The difference, and it's an important one, is that Lee does everything Collison does better. Everything. Just take Nick Collison and add on to every talent in his body and skill he's developed.
On one hand you could say, "Well, they do all the same things." And you would be right. Or, you could take a step back and say, "Collison is a poor man's David Lee. He's solid off the bench, but could never have the impact in the starting lineup that Lee has."
what does Lee do that Collison can't provide?
do we really need another undersized 5 / solid hard working 4?
@KingGondo
It seems that way, but it just takes one team to offer a ludicrous amount and then every other GM groans and shakes their heads as every free agents price will go up.
Here's hoping that doesn't happen, since the Pistons, T-Wolves, Grizz and Thunder are the only real players in this off-season that can make any noise (I can see the Pistons going gaga over Gortat though).
@Keith
And that right there is a perfect summation for Gortat. Done and done.
I have a hard time imagining Gortat pricing himself above 8 million in this market. Most teams are looking to dump salary and find value. I could be wrong, but most FAs this summer are likely to find themselves disappointed in their market value.
I'm not a fan of Varejao. He IS a good player, but he's going to want more money than he's worth. He already tried to hold Cleveland hostage once, and Cleveland is one of those teams that guys are begging to play for right now.
Gortat would be a solid pickup who would certainly be a great foil to Krstic at the 5. Krstic comes in when we need scoring, Gortat comes in when we really need defense. I would expect both to end up being roughly equal in minutes per game as neither strikes me as a great option overall, but together they bring everything you could want from the center position.
Re: Varejao- I guess flopping is one way of protecting the rim ...
@Keith
He's a good rebounder and not a terrible scorer, but that "little small to play center" bit is the problem. He's not a good defender- one on one or at protecting the rim. I wouldn't mind having him if he weren't so expensive, but Gortat can defend better. Lee's a better scorer, but despite how good a rebounder Lee is, Gortat rebounded better per minute (in limited minutes obviously, but still). And Lee is no Biedrins because of how Biedrins protects the rim.
Varejao better than Gortat? At what, exactly? Wait, is this the "Flopping" discussion or did I wander away from the, "Who would be a better defensive and rebounding FIVE" discussion?
Varejao is another 4 who would be forced to play the 5 for the Thunder, who would be at best another backup and who is known more for his antics than his production. No thanks.
And I doubt the Birdman leaves Denver with his built in support system there.
Gortat has more upside than either of them. Especially for the Thunder but, as Kev said, he may be pricing himself out of the Presti zone for free agents with his playoff performances to go along with his steady form he had all season.
Even in the simplest scenario-we draft Harden at 3 and pick up either Lee, Andersen, or Gortat, I like where that puts us. And it would be very unlike Presti not to use some leverage to make a ridiculously good deal.
Now we just need Nash to sign with Toronto.
@Keith
someone will drop a fat contract on him, but it won't be us . . .