Some thoughts with a little help from my friends. There were a couple interesting comments recently that I wanted to make sure didn’t get missed. Oh, and a TV show you should be watching.
- Reader Ransom had an outstanding observation about the combine numbers: “So while its not really Thunder related, does anyone else find it odd/funny/disturbing that Dwight Howard dunked a basketball easily on a 12-foot rim, yet no one in this years draft combine could even touch a 12 foot rim if they tried?” I never even considered that. I have an all new appreciation for Howard’s dunk now. He made it look so easy that no one was really all that impressed at the time. But if you look at Blake Griffin, a guy that is an incredible athlete, only got to 11-feet, 8.5-inches. And Howard dunked two-handed, EASILY on a 12-foot rim. Unreal. This truly blows my mind.
- I hate to be “that guy” but with the Finals starting tonight, I’m really just hoping for a good series. I didn’t even really care all that much about the Kobe-LeBron thing. As long as the games are good, it could be Pietrus-Fisher and I wouldn’t care. Plus, we do get to maybe settle the Morrison-Redick debate once and for all.
- I’m really going to have a close eye on Trevor Ariza this series. He’s had a really nice postseason and you have to be careful of rewarding a player with a big contract just based on that, but it’s hard to ignore him. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer and though he would probably be another more expensive Thabo Sefolosha, you always better with two good players instead of one. I have a feeling Ariza is going to want big time money and OKC isn’t going to offer that, but still, the Thunder is going to be a major player in this market and Ariza is going to be a pretty good prize.
- Speaking of, this series has got a couple of potential targets. Of course Ariza, but then there’s also everybody’s favorite Polishman, Marcin Gortat. Hedo Turkoglu has an ETO, Lamar Odom is unrestricted and even Shannon Brown, who has played well in spurts, is open. Not everyone fits OKC, but there’s definitely reason to watch. While you want to see a guy like Gortat play well in his minutes, you don’t want him to play too well if Presti is really targeting him because every extra rebound, every extra block, every extra point is a couple more thousand tacked onto that salary.
- Reader Jax has come up with some interesting in-house trades: “Here’s a trade that I’d love to see; swap jumpshots between Damien and Thabo. To even things up, we’ll also trade hairstyles, and extend Damien’s contract for another 3 years … The next in-team trade I make is between Swift and Green. Jeff keeps all his normal talent, but get’s Robert’s height. He’s no longer playing out of position, and his matchups with other teams is a nightmare. To even things out, Jeff also has to take on the red afro hairdoo and the tattos and the emo fingernails, making him the weirdest looking African American ever. Robert gets to shed his freak show routine, and return to normal life as an average citizen, except with a very cool 3-year NBA salary in his backpocket. To sweeten the deal, we give him an assistant coaching position with the Drillers.” I must say, I love both deals. I bet Big Robert wouldn’t veto that deal either.
- In discussing whether it’s about a good rotation or solid lineups, reader Crow had some good information: “Of the 6 playoff teams without a top 50 most used in the league regular season lineup that was +5 or better per 48 minutes, four teams lost in the first round and the two that won beat teams also without such a lineup. Six of the top seven most used lineups that were +9 or better per 48 minutes made it to the second round or better with one having to be eliminated as being the only such team (Portland) to face a first round opponent with the same attribute. Lineups play basketball. Rotations and teams don’t, directly. Only three 5-man lineups that work or don’t.” I don’t have my brain completely wrapped around that type of stuff, but that stat made sense and was pretty revealing.
- So here’s the running list of who Oklahoma City is supposedly “high on” or “interested in” right now: Ricky Rubio, Blake Griffin, DeMar DeRozen, Stephen Curry, Jrue Holliday, James Harden, Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill and B.J. Mullens. And that’s just who various media outlets have said. Can we just say that Presti and Co. are high on players projected to go in the first round? Wouldn’t that be a safe assumption? “The Thunder are interested in players that are in this draft that are projected to be taken in the first 25 picks.” I don’t think it would really make sense for OKC to not be at least interested in first round players. They aren’t the Oakland Raiders you know.
- You know one major thing you have to consider when talking about potential draft picks or potential free agents is, “Can I picture them in a Thunder uniform?” At least that’s something I consider. They need to pass that test. James Harden and Steph Curry I absolutely can. Ricky Rubio I’m kind of lukewarm on. I see it, but don’t see it at the same time. Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet, I don’t see. I have trouble picturing Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh in one too. They just don’t seem to look right. I’m sure Sam Presti takes these things into account when making a decision. He’s very thorough you know.
- Nobody was more sad about the Cavs getting eliminated than my wife. For some unknown reason she has developed a complete fascination with Mo Williams. She loves the idea that he was a relative unknown but then went to Cleveland to play with LeBron and now is a semi-household name. I guess that is pretty cool. To which she asked me the other day while we were talking about her weird fandom of Mo – could Kevin Durant be that kind of guy to turn things around for a guy? And I guess so. KD really isn’t the distributor like LeBron, but Durant could absolutely inflate a point guards stats. That’s not a free pass to keep Earl Watson around or anything though. I’m talking about other point guards. Like Russell Westbrook or someone else.
- Just letting you know, maybe my favorite show on TV right now is Pitchmen. I can’t get enough of it. I even caught myself at Target the other day looking at this shelf that had “As Seen on TV” products trying to find things Billy Mays had pitched. And I must admit, if I would have seen something that was on the show, I would have bought it. But wait, there’s more! Well, not really. Watch Pitchmen. It’s good.
I think an Evans-Westbrook back court would be spectacular given time. Never can have too many ball handlers on your team. Stay away from project big men.
My order of guys with most potential
Griffin- Evans- Rubio- Holiday- DeRozan-
DID ANYONE JUST SEE ADAM MORRISON TRY TO STAY IN THE ABC SHOT WITH PHIL JACKSON????
HILARIOUS...I BET SOMEONE WILL YOUTUBE IT...
@Brian
You can argue that 6 mil might be overpaying for Gortat, but if you think he's soft, you haven't watched him play. He's a very physical force. Twice the physicality of Dirk.
@Keith
I was just responding to everyones elses thirst for Ariza.
@Brian
I don't see any reason for OKC to go after Ariza in the first place. He's a SF. We've already got all 48 minutes at SF covered with Durant and Green.
I don't have anything specific to propose at this time- my dream of packaging players and all forseeable future picks for Griffin and Harden is pretty much dead. If Clipps had any interest in Rubio at this point they would be working him out. Sigh. My point in posting was that we have a lot of trade assets and available cash right when most teams are looking to trim payroll. I don't see how to get straight to the promised land, but I expect Presti to come up with something spectacular in that environment.
@Steve H
Bryant is the only real blue-chipper of that group, and he's not going to opt out. Iverson is old and looked terrible in Detroit. Boozer is close, but not quite a top tier player. You also have to take into account that the majority of the players you listed are either unlikely to opt out or restricted free agents. If you only list the people without opt out clauses, you have Iverson, Marion, Odom, Artest, and old guys or RFAs. Not a blue chipper in the definite FAs.
I wouldnt overpay for Gortat (which OKC would be doing), you cant trust European big men not named Dirk, there soft. :/
If they were to sign Ariza right now, which would cost around $6-8M they would be taking up Cap room that they could use on max FAs. They should wait to use up their cap room before signing midlevel free agents so that they are already over the cap and they cant spend more than the MLE anyway.
Gortat just scored on a PNR from Jameer because he is actually pretty quick. Next play he played great help d and stripped Vujacic and started the break. Next play he got the offensive rebound off the miss. The guy is a worker and he really moves his feet. I would definitely throw about 6 mil per season at him. Better yet, do a sign and trade with Orlando and give them Nick Collison.
@Vega
Green has great potential, but I almost think of him as a liability at times because we are forced to play him at PF to get him minutes. He does not have a back to the basket game, and he isn't big enough to bang defensively with the bigger PFs in the league.
@Sammy
Bryant,Iverson,Boozer,Okur,Marion,Odom,Artest,Milsap,Gordon,Nash,Kidd,Lee, and a few others. Not as rich a crop as 2010, but more blue chippers than I have seen at once in some time. If you don't consider those blue chip players, you are truly a hard man to impress. Teams may also be unloading some of the 2010 biggies as part of a rebuilding plan- or moving longer contracts (RipHamilton?) to clear space so they can compete for Lebron or Wade or Bosh or Amare. I don't remember seeing so many big names coming available within such a short span of time before.
I'd just soon keep Rubio in that case... and then draft Mullins or sign Gorty...
Bynum isn't worth the third pick. He performs poorly under pressure, and he's injury prone, and it's not like the Lakers are going to trade him anyway. That rumor is definitely bogus.
@slimjimzv
That's an interesting trade. On one hand, it gives us something huge, a legit 7 footer who can score and defend in the post. On the other hand, he just signed a huge extension and promptly missed most of the last 2 seasons. This team plus a healthy Bynum would be scary. But this team plus a Bynum that only plays half a season each year isn't worth the trade. If the deal is really on the table, I'd trust Presti and the OKC doctors, they seemed to have a pretty good handle on the last center we tried to pick up.
@Vega
I know we don't want to have our hands tied financially, but the CBA is such that we will never have a problem signing/extending our own draft picks. All of our top players will have Bird Rights when we are set to extend them, which means we can go over the cap all we want with them. I'm not advocating overspending, but if you look at the numbers, teams that are contending are almost always over the cap and luxury tax limits.
@dj
Presti will do what is in the best interest of the team. Wilkins, Watson, Atkins, and Ibaka are by no means locks to stay on the team. If we can get someone who will make a significant impact (who is up to opinion right now), there's no reason Presti wouldn't cut/trade one of our several backup PGs to make room. There isn't a player outside of our core (assuming Harden joins that core), Sefolosha, and maybe Krstic that wouldn't be moved if something good came along.
The interesting trade rumor I heard was the #3 pick (if Rubio is there) to the Lakers for Bynum. This may be the best 'both teams win' trade I've heard so far.
I don't think Presti is going after any free agents this summer. After adding the #3 & #25 picks (Harden & Beaubois?) that'll be 14 guys on the roster. And make that the maximum 15 if Serge Ibaka joins the team this year.
Starters - Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Green, Krstic
Rotation - Livingston, Collison, Sefolosha, White
Bench - Beaubois, Weaver, Ibaka, Watson, Wilkins, Atkins
They a video of Curry and some other prospects on the Bobcats website.
No real live action mostly interview stuff,But nice to see what coach
Brown thinks of Curry. http://www.nba.com/bobcats/index_main.html
@Royce
Not only did Dwight dunk on a 12-footer, but LeBron said he can get it on a 13. Imagine that for a second.
@Steve H
Starting four? We've got Green, who has only been in the league for two years, but he showed significant improvement from his rookie year to his sophomore year. Give the guy some time. He's already pretty good as it is.
If we go out and spend on a bunch of free agents, we won't be able to sign KD, Westbrook, or Uncle Jeff to long term deals, and that would be absolutely disastrous.
Collison and Watson have some value, possibly enough to get a Biedrins or Okafor, but that is still a major stretch. More likely, we will trade them for a couple of role players, or hang on to them.
Everyone just needs to continue to be patient. Let the current guys develop, draft Harden, do the Detroit trade and snag Mullens, and sign a few role players like Frye, the PH, Novak, or Elson.
Has anyone heard anytning else about the rumored wizards 5th pick and JaVale Mcgee for the Thunder's 3rd pick. i think that that would be a great move for the Thunder if that were to happen. We could still get Harden at 5 and we would get an above average project center in Mcgee.
@Sammy
Whoops, meant "Collison and WATSON" not Weaver.
@Steve H
This year's FA crop is not stocked with blue chip talent by any means. Actually, I can't even think of one blue chip talent. Boozer comes the closest, I suppose, but he's no Lebron/Wade/Bosh.
Now is not the time to stop adding youth. Ideally, I'd like to find a way to move back down into the lottery. Adding any two of: Rubio/Harden/Hill/Curry would make me a very happy man (Rubio/Harden makes the least sense, but I could see Harden/Curry as pretty much setting up the backcourt for years. Start Westbrook/Harden with Curry coming off the bench. Sefolosha rotates for Durant.)
I'm a fan of making an aggressive play for Gortat. Gortat/Krstic make a nice C platoon.
Collison and Weaver have some value, but not a ton. Weaver is pretty much only valuable for his expiring contract. Collison is slightly overpaid for what he (energy/glue guy off the bench), but he would do well on the right team. Of course, if you can find some team desperate to get under the cap who would be willing to unload some decent players, go for it. Presti should be looking hard for these lopsided, money-motivated deals. But he's not stupid and won't take on so much weight that it will impede the Thunder's flexibility to sign Durant and Green to extensions next season.
@Royce
While I won't complain if we just take Harden/Curry and add a back-up PG(Mills?Lawson?)or do the Detroit deal and land Mullins, I honestly DO look for Presti to do something major. Right now we seem uniquely positioned to make some MAJOR moves this off-season. Both Watson and Collison are expendable, but should command some real trade value. 3rd and 25th pick this year. Two potential lotery picks next year. One of three teams in league with significant cap space in a year with an unusually high number of blue-chip free agents. Till now, Presti has been hoarding draft picks like a squirell hoards nuts, but I think that approach is about to get turned on its head. We could use a sharp-shooting 2 guard, a starting 4 with a polished post game and solid defense, and an athletic center to rebound and protect the lane. If we can add those three pieces, we will be done with rebuilding. Our record is going to significantly improve next year, leaving us with a midling draft pick in 2010 (though PHX's could be good- could be 17th again). Playing it safe probably won't obtain us much more talent than we already have in the cupboard after this year's #3 pick is spent. NOW is the time to package valuable contracts with future picks, or just out-spend in free agency to land three great players at the 2,4 and 5 spots. If we just do this piecemeal- can we get a better 2 guard than Thabo for Watson or a couple 10th thru 20th picks next year? A better PF than Green/White/Collison for, well, Collison? We should get a lot better return if we combine our picks/contracts/salary space to take advantage of the biggest buyer's market in the NBA in many years.
Gortat's is definitely worth the mid-level, maybe more. He can start for a number of teams right now, including the Thunder, and would immediately be a top 15 center. His rate stats and defense are phenomenal, and he's been fantastic all season. It's not like he's just getting discovered in the playoffs; I (along with a lot of others) have been drooling over him all season.
@Vega
That was supposed to be replied to you, don't know how I just replied to myself. :)
@J.G.
You really think Gortat and Nick Collison are comparable in terms of defensive post presence?
Nick Collison is a natural PF, and that is where he would be moved if Gortat became a member of the Thunder, backup or starter.
Which would only give us more opportunities to do mismatches with out lineups. I really, REALLY believe Gortat to be worth the full MLE, if not more (just not hopefully too much more - come on Lakers! Yes, I'm selfish like that for the Thunder).
Can Prince play the 2 spot for a full year? I know he's a 3...but if I remember right he usually takes the best player at the 2 or 3 spot.
I don't think the Pistons are serious about Gordon. They just shipped out a 6 foot SG who couldn't play defense in AI. Also, they'd have to move Rip to bring Gordon in, that guy isn't going to come off the bench quietly. Of the free agents available, I think the Pistons are going to target Millsap/Boozer, and Ariza. They need one of the 20-10 PFs, and they will probably get best value from trading Prince (replaced by Ariza). They are really in the same boat as us (minus the star player) in that they want to use their cap in a trade for a high end player more than they want to pick at the second tier FAs this year.
I don't think that the PH is worth the full MLE. We already have an overpayed backup big. His name is Nick Collison.
@Vega
Possible, but not if the Pistons are serious about Boozer or Ben Gordon.
@Royce
Honestly, I'd be surprised if Gortat commanded much more than the mid-level exception.
Of course, all it would take is one GM to do it...but with Villanueva and Boozer being the flashy, big $ names. A backup center should get about the mid-level, which I'm sure Presti and Co. would go a little over to guarantee Orlando couldn't match.
I predict that the PH will go to Detroit, where he could possibly start.
@Vega
I've written about Novak. I like him. He seems like a good piece to the puzzle. Channing Frye is a nice player, but it all comes down to dollars on a guy like him. We all like Gortat, but again, the numbers have to line up. If he wants big money, then we need to look elsewhere. You always need a solid veteran backup, and Elson is OK, but I'd actually enjoy having Joe Smith back more I think.
What do you think of the guys I mentioned, Royce?
@Vega
That's my philosophy too. You've got a great core, you just want pieces. You don't need to make a splash. I wouldn't anticipate Presti doing anything major. But I do plan on watching Ariza closely regardless.
Pitchmen is one of my favorite shows on TV. Billy Mays is awesome.
Ariza isn't going anywhere. The Lakers will let Lamar Odom walk to keep Ariza. I guarantee it. The only free agent in the Finals that I might go after is the PH, but he'll probably want a lot more money than he's worth, and I don't know if he does anything that Nick Collison doesn't already do. Here is my list of free agents that I might go after:
Channing Frye (Productive when he gets minutes, but he's a lot like Krstic.)
Steve Novak (Cheap three-point specialist.)
The PH (Solid all-around big. Played well in playoffs.)
Francisco Elson (Decent veteran backup.)
Personally, I don't think that we should go spend a lot on big name guys this offseason. We need to continue to develop our current guys and add a few bench guys, preferably a big and a three-point shooter.
They aren’t the Oakland Raiders you know.
Damn that was a shot!!!