Ah yes, the U.S. Open begins today and that means it’s Father’s Day weekend. I’m excited. One of my 
absolute favorite weekends of the year. Oh, and did you realize we are exactly one week away from the 2009 Draft? I know, finalllllyyy.
Sean Deveney looks at draft rumors: “Ricky Rubio is slipping in the draft – false: Most of the smoke-screening and posturing is centered on Rubio. The Grizzlies are No. 2 but remain likely to trade the pick, and they have a range of options. They are hoping to move down and get a big man – leaving whomever winds up with No. 2 to take Rubio.”
Russell Westbrook met the President this week and also talked about his China trip: “What was it like to have dinner with the President? “It was good. We got to meet him for 20 seconds, not too long. Just get his picture. It was nice. It was nice to meet him and interact a little bit. But we didn’t really get a chance to talk to him at all. You’ve just got to run through and take a picture. You know how that goes with the President. But he spoke for a good 15 minutes or so.”
James Harden worked out for the Thunder yesterday, but I think Presti had the thing guarded by the secret service, because there’s no info about it. Darnell Mayberry did say this: “Meanwhile, the player many think is a perfect fit for the Thunder, James Harden, is in Oklahoma City today going through an individual workout at the team’s practice facility. The Arizona State shooting guard is the second player to workout by himself in OKC. USC’s DeMar DeRozan also worked out alone. My guess is the Thunder walks away with one of those two some how or another. Something tells me it’ll be Harden.”
A great Q&A with Sam Presti: “It must be interesting to have to deal with the rumor mills and blogs around this time of year. Do you pay attention to that stuff and do they affect the team in any way? “Well, you know it’s part of the business and we understand that people have a job to do. Sometimes that’s part of the industry that we work in, there is competition for those covering the teams as well. We can’t control it, so we accept the fact that there will be a fair share of misinformation presented, and we know that on draft night the weeks of speculation wilt away. They have no permanence so you have to keep perspective. In terms of if we factor it into our process, we simply can’t. It is all part of the draft experience and makes it fun for the fans. As a team, we have to make decisions based on realities and organizational disciplines. We are no different than any other industry in that respect.”
Ian Thompson’s newest mock draft (and let me tell you, it’s a little different than what you’ve been seeing the past few weeks): OKC – Ricky Rubio: “The up-tempo point guard would create shots in transition for Kevin Durant and others. And because Rubio often played off the ball in Spain, he could pair with the more athletic Russell Westbrook to have two playmakers on the court at the same time. Another possibility: Trade down with Sacramento, New York or Toronto, who all want Rubio.”
KD’s next pair of shoes will be out in 2010, but here’s what they’ll look like: “After a stellar year in his KD1, Nike and Kevin Durant are ready with the Nike KD2. Continuing their mission to bring simple and affordable sneakers to retail, the Nike KD2 features midfoot strap over a minimal upper sitting on a low profile Zoom sole. The Nike KD2 is set to release during the Spring of 2010.”
Mike Baldwin on Jordan Hill: “But if Thunder general manager Sam Presti trades down, Hill could be one of his top options. The 6-foot-10 power forward was the first Arizona player in 30 years to average a double-double (18.3 points, 11.0 rebounds). “He came light years this past season,” said one Eastern Conference scout. “He was one of the most improved players in the country. If he continues that type of growth somebody is going to get a really good player.”
Dallas now has a D-League team. Rivalryyyy: “A new basketball team is coming to North Texas with the National Basketball Development League ready to place a team in Frisco, a source said Wednesday. A news conference is scheduled for today at American Airlines Center where the announcement is expected to be made. The Mavericks, Frisco officials and NBA executives have been in talks for nearly two years to bring a team to the fast-growing city north of Dallas. Frisco already is home of the Double-A RoughRiders baseball team and a minor league hockey team, the Tornado.”
The NBA may be returning to its glory days: ”Although the NBA Finals just ended in fizzling fashion with the Los Angeles Lakers disposing of the Orlando Magic in five games, the league gives me that tingling feeling I had when watching it as a kid. Here’s why: The star power today is unlimited. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony are the elite of a tremendous core of great players. Back in the day, you had Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon leading the way. The collection of talent today rivals that group. The young talent sizzles. Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Danny Granger, Brandon Roy and Deron Williams are just bubbling over with the potential of joining the greats like Bryant, James and Wade. Everyone knows these guys are going to get their shine on. It’s just a matter of time.”
An extremely in-depth evaluation of the draft’s shooting guards (tons of information here): “I’ve been waffling between Evans and Harden as the top player here. I give Evans a slight edge, because Harden finished the season so poorly. But they’re pretty much even. Harden’s numbers look great. I mean few college SGs ever have had a 2-year run like Harden has had. He scores both often and efficiently and his defensive and passing numbers are solid. That’s everything a SG prospect needs to do. But a look at Harden’s freshmen and sophomore years compared with players who also scored often and efficiently suggests this isn’t always a sure ticket to greatness. Here’s frosh and sophs who, like Harden, scored over 20 P40 with a 2 pt. FG pct over .540.”
Sam Amico looks at the Grizzlies’ options: ”Either way, the Rubio rumors don’t really matter to the Grizzlies. “If we want (Rubio), we’re going to take him,” Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “We wouldn’t have taken a 10-hour flight to Spain if we didn’t have interest in him.” Of course, that doesn’t mean the Grizzlies have to take Rubio. Especially since he may not even bother working out for them. (It actually seems unlikely at this point.) So what will the Grizzlies do? Well, when you have the No. 2 overall pick, you have options. There’s 7-foot-3 Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet — and we all know it’s hard to go wrong with that kind of size. There’s Arizona State shooting guard James Harden, a very good one-on-one player with room to grow. Then again, the Griz already have a guy like that in O.J. Mayo, who just completed his rookie season. There’s also local kid Tyreke Evans — a guard from Memphis whose stock has been on the rise. And of course, you can always trade the pick. Various outlets have reported that everyone from contenders like Houston and Boston to lottery teams like New York and Sacramento have inquired about the No. 2 selection.”
Song choices for Hasheem Thabeet could be endless. Not a good enough reason to draft him though: “This is literally just the tip of the iceberg. Something like 4% of all recorded music can be interpreted as an theme or anthem for Hasheem Thabeet. That makes him the second luckiest person in the world, behind whoever it is that does game operations for whatever team it is that drafts him.”
@Daniel
Exactly Daniel. You take the best player, regardless of position, and even then I think we need a better PG. He won DPOY in Europe. The assist issue in Europe is also true. How can you not take a PG who may very well be the best defender on our team who also makes the offense considerably better?
And yeah, Harden isn't a bad consolation if Memphis takes Rubio. I don't mean to imply that I don't like Harden, he'll be a great pickup if Rubio is gone.
I agree with Keith. If Rubio's there at 3, we'd be fools not to take him. The kid's going to be a star in this league and a lot of fun to watch. He's already averaging 6+ assists in the tough Euroleague and he doesn't even play that many minutes, plus they are very stingy awarding assists in Europe. He's a very good defender too and is big.
Plus I'm not completely sold that Russell's going to develop into a great PG.
If Memphis takes Rubio, then I like Harden.
Joe - where do you play Evans? It's hard having a backcourt with two mediocre outside shooters . . .
@Royce
We also disagree more about the state of our PG position, so that's understandable.
@Keith
If I genuinely thought he was the second best player, I'd be with you 100 percent. But I think he's borderline the second best, with Harden possibly being better.
@hendawg
Hands off! :p
Hard to say, but I like Harden and Evans about the same the only thing is like Joe said the 3pt shooting has Harden edging Evans.
Call me crazy, but I still take Rubio above everyone but Blake. You could say he doesn't quite fit the need that Harden does. You could say we already have a PG in Westbrook. But in the end, I think he's the second best player in the draft, need be damned.
@Joe
Same thing here Joe. That workout video was so impressive. And my main concern (along with everyone else) was athleticism, but he answered that and then some at the combine. And I don't think we're necessarily just drafting "need" with Harden. I think he's a really, really good player that happens to fill a need.
I am beginning to like Evans a little more. I'd probably move him up three or four spots if we re-did our big board.
@Keith
I'm with Royce. I think Harden is the best fit period. I think my decision was cemented seeing his workout video and after the combine measurements. I had some question marks, but he answered them with his athleticism and savvy.
I will say that I am warming up to Tyreke Evans as an alternative if Harden is gone. He measured out good and his workout video was good. His numbers show he is versatile and can fill it up. Just his three point shooting keeps him below Harden for me.
@Keith
I'm honestly set on Harden. I pretty much have my mind made up.
Hollinger seems to disagree with Evans not being #2 material, but even if he ends up being a slightly better pro player, Harden is the better fit.
Also, Curry ended up grading outside the top 10 as a point guard. Not that it is the end-all be-all of decision swingers, but it's always been my feeling that Curry is a Ben Gordon-esque 2 guard. I know you love him, Kev, but I don't think he fits here as we are currently composed.
I have a question for my fellow Thunder fans. Based on rumblings, Memphis is should either take Rubio or draft then trade him. That leaves Harden, Curry, and apparently Evans to choose from. But, outside of Blake, who really is your favorite player to keep? With no trade downs available, who would you pick to be the future of the Thunder?
@Alex
Is there anything specific you wanted to know. All he did was compare his draft prospect measurement formula to actual drafts and actual production. Last year was the worst year for his formula, but in most years the formula found some good draft steals and correctly rated some top prospects.
To be honest, his formula is pretty much just as accurate as actual drafting. More good players are found at the top, but there will always be some busts that make the formula/GM look dumb.
@Alex
Send me an email.
Do any of you guys have ESPN Insider? John Hollinger just put up his draft rankings and I'd really like to know what he said...Thanks!
@Nix
I don't even know the definition of plagiarize.
@Royce
Or you now have a paragraph saying the exact same thing...Haha...I kid
@Nix
I was writing something earlier today and I've got a paragraph saying almost that exact same thing.
An interesting thought from the Mock Draft you posted...
If we draft an international player with the #25 we can let them stay in Europe and develop more instead of having them on our contracts. That's exactly what we did with Ibaka and I think we'll look to do the same thing if no trades go down and we stay at 25.
We have so many picks that at some time we have to trade them or trade some players...(obviously)
I think we'll see Atkins/Watson/Wilkins for sure get traded this year. Maybe even Weaver if we draft Harden.
People act like we'll never approach the cap and try to be a 'cheap' team beccause we're small market. However, judging by our ownership, we're not afraid to pay big for things and judging by our GM we're not going to do anything insane. That is the perfect combo for a great future.
Nix :Based on Presti’s interview I would think a player’s work ethic players a major part in their analysis.
I bet they take an extremely hard worker with the #25. That’s probably why they were so high on Griffin even last year.
thank you - based on your comment - it reassures me that Thabeet won't be selected by the Thunder . . .
I can see the team sporting the white/blue ones at home because Green and Westbrook wore similar looking ones this season. I'm not sure how they'd feel about wearing KDs shoes when they are standing right next to him though...
Based on Presti's interview I would think a player's work ethic players a major part in their analysis.
I bet they take an extremely hard worker with the #25. That's probably why they were so high on Griffin even last year.
I'm definitely buying the KD2's, I like all of the colors.
@Bernard
Agreed.
KD1 look so much better than KD2.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I agree. Evans doesn't seem like #2 talent to me. I think the Grizz are just bummed about being stiffed by Curry and Rubio. If I were Memphis I would be listening to what I could get for the pick and see about cleaning up the roster.
I don't buy Memphis taking Evans with the 2nd pick. If he really is their #1 or #2 guy on their draft board, they should still know that they could trade down and get him.
I didn't realize that Jordan Hill had such a feel good story that came with him. No wonder people around here are so high on him. It's hard not to pull for a guy who beat the odds.
That picture of Russell with the president is GREAT! Funny because I think of Russ as a "little guy" and Obama as this tall lanky Lincoln-esque physique. Westbrook looks like the incredible hulk next to him!
@Joe
I really enjoyed that too. I didn't really agree having Evans as better than Harden, but I liked his analysis.
I like the HOOPSANALYT piece. He separates the SG's into two groups: Jordans and Millers. The Jordans do all the other little things that go along with winning (defense, passing, rebounding)and also score. The Millers (as in Reggie Miller) mostly just shoot a lot and score.
He put Harden and Tyreke Evans in the Jordan class.
@hendawg
Ah, good place.
@Royce
Brother's.
@hendawg
Was he at B.J.s? I've seen him there like 10 times. He eats there a lot.
And evidently, so do I.
I saw Blake Griffin in Norman last night so maybe he is meeting with the Thunder while he's in town.
sam amico said that james harden is like oj mayo? playing the same position doesn't make you the same player. harden, you know, passes sometimes. and doesn't solely shoot contested jumpers. not at all saying the grizzlies should take him, but they definitely aren't the same type of player.