Lamar Odom on if he was surprised Kevin Durant got shut down: “It’s hard for me to answer that question. I don’t want to rev him up.”
Kobe is pretty beat up, writes Sam Amick of FanHouse: ”Can he lead the Lakers to 15 more wins with this battered body of his? The question remains unanswered entering Game 2. After resting his fractured right index finger and other sorted ailments for four of the last five regular season games, Bryant admitted after the Lakers’ Game 1 win over Oklahoma City that there was an adjustment in order for Tuesday night’s tilt. He will “adjust his stroke” from here on out, using his middle finger to compensate for his fractured digit.”
Bruce Jenkins of the SF Gate on Russell Westbrook: “Assuming the Thunder make some kind of statement, this could be a coming-out series for Russell Westbrook. He never gets mentioned with the likes of Steve Nash, Deron Williams and Chris Paul among the elite point guards, but he’s deserving. He’s smooth and efficient out there, and the Lakers couldn’t stop his powerful, effortless drives to the hoop. Ric Bucher did a nice story on Westbrook in ESPN Magazine earlier this year, including an interview with Westbrook’s coach, Reggie Morris, at Leuzinger High in the greater Los Angeles area. “He never cared how big the other guys were,” Morris said. “You could tell he liked it. When you get a kid like Russell, who’s not afraid of anyone, he’s usually a gang member.” People were shocked when he was taken fourth overall (out of UCLA) in the 2008 draft, but no longer. “He’s our leader,” says Kevin Durant. “If you watch us play in games or practices, he’s the one who keeps us together.”
Ron Artest felt like he didn’t do anything special on KD: ”The Lakers held Kevin Durant to just 24 points on 7-for-24 (29.2 percent) shooting Sunday, well below his league-leading average of 30.1 points per game and healthy 47.6 percent regular-season shooting percentage. But Ron Artest doesn’t want any credit for it. “I have not a clue,” Artest said when asked whether his defensive presence was the reason for Durant’s poor shooting. “I don’t think I did anything special.”
Berry Tramel on Russell Westbrook in only a way Berry Tramel can do: ”You can take the kid out of California , but you can’t take the California out of… Forget it. Who are we trying to kid? Russell Westbrook has forgotten his roots. Gone all Okie on us. Humbler than an Elk City rancher. More modest than an Okarche school marm. The Thunder drafts a salty LA gym rat, and he turns all salt-of-the-Earth. Henry Bellmon, gentleman point guard. Here was Westbrook’s reaction Monday to the idea that he should scrap the aw-shucks and start taking over this Thunder-Laker playoff series. “Nah,” Westbrook said.
The new NBA commercial featuring Air Congo and a fistpump from KD:
Silver Screen and Roll taking a look at the series after one game: “The lone complaint is one that we all knew was inevitable. The Lakers can not defend Russell Westbrook. For some reason, it took OKC a full quarter to remember that Westbrook can dominate the Lakers at all times, but once they did figure it out, RW simply could not be stopped. I’d say the Lakers need to figure something out with him, but I’m not sure they have the personnel to do so. They might just have to let RW score so much he gets tired, and focus on shutting down the other 4 guys on the court.”
Game 2 tonight. I think you could safely assume I’m extra anxious for it.
Crow :
Anybody they get will have to bump somebody and needs to be better or perceived to be a better fit with the long-term design.
I think this is pretty fundamental. Our logjam in the backcourt is going to have to ride another year, I think. Too soon to tell on Harden. I have a hard time seeing either him or Thabo benched in favor of a new pickup, which means there probably won't be a pickup at all.
The only situation this offseason where I could see a change happen in the backcourt is if we use Harden or Thabo as part of a trade for our frontcourt. Then I could see dropping some cap on a FA. I like Korver to fill the hole.
CJ Miles was a plausible target at the time. They didn't get him and got Thabo and Maynor instead. No place for Miles now and they aren't regretting not getting him. (Still Utah is fairly satisfied.)
No place seemingly for CJ Watson either, though I think fairly well of him.
Anybody they get will have to bump somebody and needs to be better or perceived to be a better fit with the long-term design.
Who do you like better, with a good chance to still be available at #31?
I may have said this before but I think buying extra high 2nd rounders will be expensive because of the decent role player talent available and because of the salary savings (and restricted free agency) these guys can bring. But if they find an extra guy they like and can get, go for it.
@Crow
I wouldn't mind taking a second round flier on Parakhouski, though I'd be hesitant to use our Minny pick. I think there's better value available in the early second.
dream catcher :
Remember when Presti signed CJ Miles to an offer sheet for 4 years 15 million? Well I been watching Utah a lot lately and CJ is a good defender and some promising offensive skills.
If Utah didn’t match the offer sheet we probably wouldn’t have traded for Thabo. Who would you guys rather have?
I personally think CJ Miles is garbage and i'm not saying this because i really like thabo.
Kinda surprised Parakhouski is sitting as low in the mock draft as he is. Signed with Arn Tellem. Westbrook and Brooks' agents work for the same agency.
Remember when Presti signed CJ Miles to an offer sheet for 4 years 15 million? Well I been watching Utah a lot lately and CJ is a good defender and some promising offensive skills.
If Utah didn't match the offer sheet we probably wouldn't have traded for Thabo. Who would you guys rather have?
Bob :
Alexfromgermany :
Thabo finished 8th in DPOY Voting. I think that deserves its own post, Royce.
Dwight Howard, 576 (110 first place votes)
Josh Smith, 136
Gerald Wallace, 113
LeBron James, 61
Rajon Rondo, 55
Ron Artest, 29
Andrew Bogut, 23
Thabo Sefolosha, 20
Anderson Varejao, 18
Dwyane Wade, 13
Marcus Camby, 13
Kobe Bryant, 9
Shawn Marion, 8
Tim Duncan, 7
I saw the list earlier. Was it even a question if dwight would get it? I think Ron Artest doesnt deserve to be even mentioned in that list… he struggled this season imo. Rajon Rondo, in my opinion, is an overrated defender. He cant stand in front of westbrook, nash, rose, billups, williams and so long. I wanted Nick Collison in that list too!
Naw like MVP this was pretty clear. I'd like Colly too (leads in charges taken) but all these guys on the list are starters so that's probably why they wouldn't vote for him.
Alexfromgermany :
Thabo finished 8th in DPOY Voting. I think that deserves its own post, Royce.
Dwight Howard, 576 (110 first place votes)
Josh Smith, 136
Gerald Wallace, 113
LeBron James, 61
Rajon Rondo, 55
Ron Artest, 29
Andrew Bogut, 23
Thabo Sefolosha, 20
Anderson Varejao, 18
Dwyane Wade, 13
Marcus Camby, 13
Kobe Bryant, 9
Shawn Marion, 8
Tim Duncan, 7
I saw the list earlier. Was it even a question if dwight would get it? I think Ron Artest doesnt deserve to be even mentioned in that list... he struggled this season imo. Rajon Rondo, in my opinion, is an overrated defender. He cant stand in front of westbrook, nash, rose, billups, williams and so long. I wanted Nick Collison in that list too!
After #5 or 7 there should be some teams open to trading their pick, moving down or out.
Thabo finished 8th in DPOY Voting. I think that deserves its own post, Royce.
Dwight Howard, 576 (110 first place votes)
Josh Smith, 136
Gerald Wallace, 113
LeBron James, 61
Rajon Rondo, 55
Ron Artest, 29
Andrew Bogut, 23
Thabo Sefolosha, 20
Anderson Varejao, 18
Dwyane Wade, 13
Marcus Camby, 13
Kobe Bryant, 9
Shawn Marion, 8
Tim Duncan, 7
I like Monroe in our team concept. I think his skills are perfectly suited for a Princeton or triangle type offense that is built on ball movement and finding and using passing lanes. While we don't run the triangle or the Princeton offense, what offense we do run is either iso or ball movement based.
We don't use a ton of high ball screens. We don't utilize the pick and roll or pick and pop to a great extent. If I were to guess at the offensive system that Brooks will implement this offseason, I imagine that it will be a ball movement offense. Lots of off the ball screens, several quick passes, penetrate and kick and pass around the arc type of sets. We use a lot of screens to get open, but when we iso too much, guys stand around and watch. I think you'll see that sort of thing go away with a good training camp devoted to off the ball movement. I think Monroe is a good fit in a type of offense that can use his understanding/ability to make the right pass. He could be the perfect passing 4 to find that backdoor cutter.
However, that's the rub with Monroe. I see him as a 4, and not really a power 4. I would prefer to see us draft what I consider to be a true center.
justin, I know you were just shopping lightlyy for player help. But a final observation: Hamilton though had his worst shooting / scoring percentages since his rookie year.
If they spend big to bring someone in, I'd think it would almost have to be an interior player.
@justin
I'd be disappointed too, but I'm not bracing myself for it to happen. I would be positively SHOCKED if we left all that money unspent. Worse case scenario, Presti just takes on more bad contracts for future prospects like he's already been doing, but I'm expecting a player acquisition, maybe even two.
Why? We've seen evidence that our team is willing to put money on the table when the timing is right (Chandler). What I'm not as certain about is our team's willingness to trade one of our "core" pieces (Green, Harden, Thabo... Ibaka, Maynor too?) if the deal is beneficial for the team because we haven't seen it.
Big contract by trade longer than 2 years is possible and possibly desirable if you got a guy the other team wasn't trying to give away, somebody you really wanted for a specific role. But it will take a really good mutual match.
Big, long contract by sign n trade or free agency could happen too.
I'd hope for some kind of step-up even further move.
Anybody notice Serge "flying" in the video few seconds before KD's fistpump. I can't believe they put Ibaka in there. Awesome.
His two recent signings have lost considerable value since they had their worst year (Gordon) and the other even had DNP-CD's during the season. Dumars really screwed the pooch.
I am just throwing thoughts around. I think it's most likely we'll do somethign with the cap space in a trade or signing in the off season. I expect the draft to be quiet, and we'll keep the picks we have.
If the cap projection indeed rises to $56 million then we have enough room to do pretty much anything.. lots of options. Like Mark said, can't imagine something not getting done to improve the team. I'd be extremely disappointed if they go into next season with $13 million in unspent cap space.
If they take on a big contract by trade I can't see taking one that last longer than 2 years. Hamilton's runs 3 for sure and that is too much.
Hamilton's contract is too long for me and I am pretty sure it would be for Presti too.
The only way I can understand or defend Dumars would be to assume he plans to make several more trades, even possibly his recent signings. But I can't really understand what he has done the last 3 years in general and find it easier to critique what this executive of the year has done than defend it.
@Keith
I would say the odds are pretty good that we make a trade for or sign a quality FA. I just don't see how that doesn't happen. I certainly wouldn't trade a legit prospect/core player for a bad contract and a pick. If we couldn't do anything in free agency/trades, then I'm fine packaging someone like White or Weaver + picks for a bad contract and a better pick, but that's not a very interesting discussion :)
And from the earlier post, I don't dislike any of the guys I listed. My point is I'm not thrilled getting Favors @ 3, Davis @ 7 or Aldrich @ 8. I wouldn't be pissed about it, but it's just nothing to write home about. Would I give up lower picks + White/Weaver + bad contract to pick one of them at that spot? Sure. I wouldn't give up more than that though.
I was only saying that I only start to really like those guys a few spots lower than their anticipated rank. Favors @ 6, Davis @ 10, Alrich @ 11 are much sexier picks. I certainly wouldn't want to trade into Detroit's slot (7th by standings), and take someone like Monroe slated around pick 10. Bleh.
What it really comes down to is, outside Cousins, I have doubts any of the bigs in the draft can step into our lineup and make a difference. Most of them seem like not as developed versions of what we already have (Ibaka & Collison). Monroe has potential, but he has some question marks. He's still my second favorite behind Cousins. Just not at ~7th.
@justin
brand would be good especially if we could turn him into the clippers version of himself.
@Keith
i would too, but there are a ton of good free agents, even if we wait and settle for whatever is left we could upgrade our bench. rip has 4 more years on his contract and is already 32, thats a long time to tie up for a bad contract, for a draft class that is average, especially if we are giving up harden like in justin's example. It isnt presti-like either, he is all about value.
Philly and Elton Brand is another option though he has an even worse contract than Rip.
Can't believe some of these contracts these guys have.
Rip would be a good fit on our team if he could stay healthy, I agree. He's a very good passer too. Rip is basically what we hope Harden becomes...
@f5alcon
What are the odds that we definitely use the cap space on a high end player, in FA or trade? I would take a bad contract for top 10 draft pick before I sat on the cap space and did nothing.
Bad contract doesn't necessarily mean bad player. Rip Hamilton, for example, is not a bad player, he's just greatly overpaid. Hamilton has a ton of playoff experience, plays solid defense, and can consistently hit open shots. Even overpaid, he'd be useful on the team.
i dont think i would take a bad contract for a draft pick unless it was turner or wall, too many good free agents that the money is better spent on. vets are proven, all rookies are risks.
@Mark!
1) While Cousins is a head case and Aldrich is borderline unathletic, I am a big fan of Favors, Davis, and Monroe. I wouldn't trade one of the core 4, but anything else would be worth it in my mind. Of course, anything else probably isn't enough to get a trade to happen.
2) Both Harden's greatest strength and biggest detriment is his unselfishness. On one hand it's great that he is fine deferring to Durant and Westbrook, on the other he could become Dunleavy Jr. 2.0, constantly passing up good looks despite being a good shooter. It's too early to bail on him for less than what he cost (3rd overall pick value), but I definitely want to see some improvement from him being a factor in games consistently.
@justin
Ugh. Two things:
1) The only player in the draft I would be willing to pay the price, move up and take is Evan Turner. (Chance of that happening? Zero.) None of the bigs seem worth it to me. Favors, Cousins, Davis, Aldrich, Monroe, Udoh, etc etc. Those all seem like value picks to me; in other words, if you take them about where they should go in the draft, you probably aren't going home super pumped; more like praying you didn't screw up as your fans "reserve judgement." But if one of them falls 2-3 spots too low, you're pretty pleased with how things turned out. If you take one of them 2-3 spots higher than they should go, you're unhappy.
2) Harden is tricky to evaluate. I think the question is whether or not you think Harden can become the 3 point threat this team needs. If not, then I'd rather have Thabo; we could trade Harden for present/future value because we're going to have to find minutes for a 3 point shooter somewhere, and SG is the only spot we have the time. Harden would get lost in the shuffle anyway.
On the other hand, if you think he can become that 3 point threat, then it makes things easier. Thabo becomes expendable as we try to repair our frontcourt. In this scenario, Thabo loses playtime to Harden and Durant @ SG and time at SF to Green (all this presuming that Green gets moved to the bench in favor of a new big but still finds ~36 MPG to play). I'm perfectly happy with Thabo only playing ~18 or so MPG, but if he's the piece we need to make a quality acquisition in the frontcourt, then no biggie.
For my part, I think it's too early to tell and I wouldn't make the move.
@Sammy
I'd still probably take Harden for Love. If we aren't ever going to demote Thabo anyway, why not? It's easier to find a guy who can shoot than a guy who can post up and rebound like Love.
@justin
We don't even need to get started there. My father nearly blew a gasket when he found out Joe D essentially traded Chauncey for Gordon. The Rip extension never made sense. Rip is old, but good for that team. That said, he wouldn't have been offered anywhere near his extension if he had gotten to the open market this year. Joe D is getting a bad habit of being too sure of his own luck.
@Sammy
That trade made sense in my head, but Green for Love would be better for for both teams, now that I think about it. I was thinking Minny could move Brewer to the 3, but they'd be better off taking Green and starting him at 3 instead.
It's still perplexing how Detroit signed Ben Gordon after extending Rip. I can't believe that happened.
I wouldn't trade James Harden for Kevin Love. Jeff Green, yeah.
@justin
I don't like that trade; Detroit's pick isn't high enough to justify it.
How about Harden for Kevin Love?
Would you trade James Harden for Rip Hamilton and the Detroit pick? Harden's probably going to be better than Rip pretty soon as their careers go opposite ways. Probably not worth it considering the crap shoot that is big men in the draft, but an interesting premise.
There is one way we could move up in the draft that hasn't been discussed, we could take back a bad contract. Would Detroit trade their pick in exchange for taking Rip Hamilton off their hands? Would it be worth it to us?
@justin
oh ok, yeah, i could see us wait on that. The thing with him saying this is that is lessens greens negotiating room, if KD will stay regardless we dont have to overpay green.
@f5alcon
No, I don't mean Kevin Durant's going to leave. The chance of that is so slim. I'm saying it might be worth it for the team to delay extending him until they know what's going on with the rest of the roster / labor negotiations.
I just wonder if that happened would Durant really be OK with it. It's easy to say now..
@justin
even if he became a RFA we would match any offer out there, so the odds of him leaving are so slim, he would have to go ben gordan style out of here and would the team really let that happen?
The threat of a new CBA and lockout could complicate negotiations. The fact that Jeff Green is also up could as well.
There might be reasons to wait a bit until the labor negotiations come into focus some more or until the team figures out what they will do with Jeff Green. Not to say Kevin Durant won't get the max, anyway.
@Omar
No. Please no.
Is there any chance that the thunder don't offer him an extension this summer? Is there even a chance that it takes longer than 5 minutes?
Ben :So apparently Durant is going the Tim Duncan route with regards to signing an extension with OKC: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/04/20/durant/
my gosh, my mancrush on Kevin Durant could not be any bigger.. Presti and Co need to sign him right away..
@f5alcon
Well, Tim Duncan was the same kind of guy, but yeah. He's a class act. I have a hard time believing they won't max him out.
Talk is cheap in the world of sports. I trust Kevin Durant more than I would most professional athletes but a lot can change.
@Ben
I dont think anybody could ever ask for a better superstar then KD. I hope we max him to reward his loyalty. He isnt pulling some lebron BS with maybe ill go to NY or not, or kobe maybe ill go to the clippers.
So apparently Durant is going the Tim Duncan route with regards to signing an extension with OKC: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/04/20/durant/
@Omar
I also like the Auto-Tune commercials, but you're right that the past ones (with the piano music and split faces) were better.
They probably did the right thing to change the tune (the new commercials feel a lot different) before it gets old though.
I kind of like Tramel. It's unique at least.