Kevin Love told SI he talked to Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose about playing together someday: “We all talk about playing together,” Love said. “It’s fun to talk about. When the time comes, we’ll assess the situation and figure it out.” Naturally, I ponder if that would even work at CBS Sports.
Shoals on Serge Ibaka’s dunk contesting: “So what’s the answer? More to the point, why would the league even recruit Ibaka for the event? Presumably, it has something to do with his being on Thunder. He would willingly and enthusiastically go along with it, unlike some past selections, because that’s how things work around those parts. It also never hurts to draw attention to a team that’s darn hard to dislike. Ibaka, like the rest of his Thunder brethren, is also all about having when appropriate. It would be strange for him to take this opportunity to show the growth he has made as a player. Rather, he should try and show off his lighter side, since his comedic gifts far outstrip those of cyborg Griffin or unusual Mr. McGee.”
Darnell Mayberry: “This was as poor of a game as I’ve seen Green play. Typically, he’s solid in something. Tonight, he stunk at everything. He couldn’t defend Zach Randolph. He couldn’t make a shot. And he didn’t set up anything offensively for his teammates. Green’s first (and only) field goal came with 10:54 left to play. The best thing Green did tonight was go 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.”
Jeff Green was Tuesday’s worst in the Daily Dime: “Maybe Kevin Durant’s time-traveling buddy should have flashed back and warned Green to sit this one out. Green was held to eight points on 1-for-5 shooting and was brutalized by Zach Randolph (31 points, 16 rebounds) in the post in OKC’s 110-105 loss to the Grizz.”
Worst of the Night from Basketbawful: “Eh. This game bored me. I’ll just say that Tony Allen burned ‘em with a season-high 19 points as the Care Bears scored 110 points on 51 percent shooting. They also won the rebounding battle 42-31 (including 12-3 on the offensive glass) and outscored the Thunder 54-46 in the paint.”
Kelly Dwyer, Behind the Box Score: “A good showing by the Thunder, save for Jeff Green who should be given his unconditional release after playing nearly 42 minutes at “power forward” while failing to bring in a single rebound.”
Cole Aldrich, ranked very low in Thorpe’s rookie rankings.
Interesting take from Mike Prada on JaVale McGee’s inclusion in the dunk contest: “So really, it comes down to a mindset thing, and here’s where I depart from the organization’s thinking if they make too big a deal out of him being picked. Instead of worrying about whether McGee’s bad habits will be enabled, work even harder to fix those bad habits. Instead of equating style with bad play, explain and show to him what good style plays are and what bad style plays are. Explain to him that you’re happy that he’s in the Dunk Contest, but that you want to make sure it doesn’t detract from getting better. Don’t create a false dichotomy between substance and style; explain what good style is and work on the substance part.”
Really great stuff from Basketball Reference about teams that allocate their possessions well.
@Eore:
I posted something about him a few times as I can watch him play on Free-TV sometimes over here in Europe. I honestly think it will at least take 2 more years for him to contribute on an NBA team (if hes not taking a Dirk-like jump in his developement). He is skinny but has good fundamentals and is the Starter for the best team in Germany (16-0 I think). But the Thunder should take him over this sumer so he can work out with guys like NC, SI and who ever will be on the roster. But: why would Presti wait for his late Pick to develop 10'000 miles away when his first choice right in front of his nose isn't getting any minutes at all?? Makes no sense to me! Pleiss is a low risk choice - if he developes into Dirk 2.0 it would be nice, if not so it will be!
And as I said noumerous times before (and still hope I'm wrong) I dont think Green is going nowhere and a trade (even a minor) would surprise me. All we heard from the FO is that they want the team to grow so a loss to the Spurs and Grizz (incl a beating from theire respectiv frontcourt) is part of the learning process (for the team and for Green) and taking on a contract from an 28 year old is not what they'll do IMO. Only Trade I see is getting a young but proofen PF/C who can grow with the team.. But these kind of players (Love) are hard to find and even harder to get!
As good as Varajeo giving up Harden for him is a big mistake. The team already can't shoot we're gonna give up one of two players that can consistently hit a 3? For everybody wanting that deal are you prepared for 37 or so minutes a night of Thabo. The floor spacing would be non existant with him and Varajeo on the court. Not to mention the Cavs couldn't realistically want anybody else we'd be willing to trade to make the salaries match.
Clippers 2012 would be disappointing, if only because I could see it turning into a top 6 pick down the road, at a time when we could probably use some depth
@dream catcher
I probably wouldn't, but I'm not so much of a homer that I feel the idea is outrageous. Take off the glasses for a few moments of the day. The team has a giant hole in the middle that has to be filled, and Varejao is a better defensive center than anyone else in our division except maybe Camby, and even that's probably close.
dream catcher :
justin :@dream
catcher
He’s one of the best defensive bigs in the league… at the very least the best that we could get our hands on. I dunno what you’re talking about.
You would trade James Harden + the Clips 1st rounder for Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao?
lol
You didn't answer the question.
@eore
we have to move this year we cant wait until next year for cap reasons.
It would be a decent line-up
D. Howard, Mullens/Aldrich
Ibaka, Collison, White
Durant
Harden, Sefolosha
Westbrook, Maynor
We would probably even win 50 games.
I am with dream catcher. Some people value other players in a bad team too high, and our own players too low.
hahaha
okc baby :Drug the Magic and get DH for Sef, Green, harden, nenad, cook, mullen, aldrich
Too much salary, all we need is Cook, Green, Krstic, and Peterson. Also Drugs. Strong ones. +14 wins for OKC though :)
and some picks
Drug the Magic and get DH for Sef, Green, harden, nenad, cook, mullen, aldrich
but..but...cap space...
I dont even think we can drug those two teams enough to take that deal
let's just trade jeff green for lebron and call it a day.
I figured it out...We take Varejao off of Cleveland for Krstic and Cook, then we get Brad Miller and Courtney Lee from the Rockets for Morris Peterson. The other two teams do it because they need the cap relief and because we drug them.
I think presti will wait and see what he has in tibor pleiss before he makes a move for a big. hoping for another ibaka.
@dream catcher
dude, maybe you should check out gibson's numbers before you dog him. has better numbers than harden. not saying he's better, but he's no scrub. one of the league leaders in 3 pt % and a good defender.
The more I think about it the more I don't think Jeff Green will be here next year. He knows it isn't the best move for him personally for his career. He knows if he goes out and signs a 2 year + player option with another team probably around 9 million a year cause someone will over pay him and he plays the 3 instead of the 4, he will have an opportunity to up his value and be a number 2 option on a team, probably New Jersey if they don't get Melo.
That is why I would like to see us trade him. Varejao would be great and Kevin Love, but with Wes Johnson in Minnesota now we would have to offer a lot more. Probably the most realistic scenario with all of there PG's as well is Green, Aldrich and Krstic's expiring contract + 2 first round picks for Love and some garbage. That is taking into account what Presti is willing to give up which the only scenario Aldrich is gone is for Kevin Love. He won't give up on him this early unless he has something he know will come into long term fruition like Love. Varejao would have to be Green + expiring contracts + a first round pick for Varejao and garbage. A lot more realistic. Its safe to say we want a solid big man like both guys though.
Interesting article on ESPN but probably won't happen, too much money for too long ridding us of cap flexibility. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=5991448
I want Varejao... badly. But I'm not trading Harden for him. I'd roll the dice that we could pick up one of the many similar options there will be in the offseason (Perkins, Nene, Chandler, etc.). It's not only that Harden is homegrown and could turn out to be a very good player, it's that he is a great fit with what we've got and fills a huge need.
That said, if Cleveland thinks they can get Green to resign with them, I don't see how a trade that is substantially Green + Aldrich for Varejao does not make sense for all involved parties.
justin :@dream
catcher
He’s one of the best defensive bigs in the league… at the very least the best that we could get our hands on. I dunno what you’re talking about.
You would trade James Harden + the Clips 1st rounder for Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao?
lol
Varejao is probably the most probable pick for us. Cross fingers
@dream catcher
He's one of the best defensive bigs in the league... at the very least the best that we could get our hands on. I dunno what you're talking about.
@dream catcher
ok, yeah harden is better than gibson
Dragic
Lawson
Lowry
Ford
Maynor
Bynum
Watson
Ridnour
Berea
Blake
Sessions
justin :
dream catcher :
these trades are hurting my brain…….as Sam Presti always says, we are growing organically, and our goal is long term sustainability.
Trading Harden and the Clips 1st for a 28 year old role player and a garbage wing would be a 180 form everything Presti has said and done so far.
I think Anderson Varejao is a lot better than you probably think he is.
sure he is a good player and Id love to have him............BUT not at 9 million in 3 years and not at the expense of Harden who I think will be a damn good player down the road.
The dude is a role player, and big, but still a role player.
Well fortunately for us, we need a role player who rebounds and protects the paint. Getting a guy who can shoot threes in return isn't so bad.
f5alcon :@dream
catcher
a garbage wing? jamison is at least as good as green, and varejao is more than a role player
garbage wing = Gibson
role player = Varejao
@dream catcher
a garbage wing? jamison is at least as good as green, and varejao is more than a role player
dream catcher :
these trades are hurting my brain…….as Sam Presti always says, we are growing organically, and our goal is long term sustainability.
Trading Harden and the Clips 1st for a 28 year old role player and a garbage wing would be a 180 form everything Presti has said and done so far.
I think Anderson Varejao is a lot better than you probably think he is.
I think we might be valuing James Harden a little bit too high because he's homegrown and he's going through a hot stretch. I have him turning into a real good player but Varejao is better plus he's a big. I don't think Harden for Varejao is bad value for either team, just that letting go of Harden who is really young and -could- develop into quite a player would hurt.
justin :Turk (OKC)
Kristic expiring, the clippers 2012, and James Harden for Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao. Who says no?
Hopefully Presti says no. Take out Gibson and sub Green for Harden, and I'm good. Throw in Aldrich and/or another first rounder if they want. Just get Green the Hell out of here and bring in a Varejao type player...
@justin
hahah No way is Ramon sessions better then Eric Maynor. Hes not even a top 10 backup
these trades are hurting my brain.......as Sam Presti always says, we are growing organically, and our goal is long term sustainability.
Trading Harden and the Clips 1st for a 28 year old role player and a garbage wing would be a 180 form everything Presti has said and done so far.
@Sammy
id combine yours and justins, get jamison as well and give up mo pete and cook and ivey,aldrich,green+cap space and a 2nd rd pick maybe is a fair trade. and is +7 wins on trade machine for us.
Here are some numbers since 12/1 - I posted it earlier, but it went into the internet netherworlds...
Green: 36.4 mpg, 14.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.1 spg, .3 bpg, 1.4 turns, 40.7% FG, 21.4 3pt%
IbakaL: 24.3 mpg, 8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, .2 apg, .3 spg, 2.4 bpg, 1.2 turns, 52.0% FG, 0 total 3s...
Harden: 27.1 mpg, 14.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg, .4 bpg, 1.3 turns, 47.7 FG%, 44.6 3pt%
Thabo: 27.9 mpg, 4.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg, .4 bpg, .9 turns, 40.3 FG%, 27.3 3pt%
Pretty embarrassing for JG. The starting SG on your own team is a better rebounder and shot blocker, and the back up SG is a better shot blocker as well. JG numbers are so pitiful, it's hard to watch. The next 5 games are crucial for Brooks. If he doesn't solve the JG problem, or at least admit there is a JG problem, I'll be extremely concerned...
justin :
Turk (OKC)
Kristic expiring, the clippers 2012, and James Harden for Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao. Who says no?
Chad Ford (1:17 PM)
I could see something like this happening. The Thunder have been out there looking for a veteran big man and all the names you mentioned they would look to move. Varejao would be a great addition to the Thunder. And that deal would give Cavs some relief, a backcourt scorer and a decent pick in 2012
Chad Ford is an idiot. We get ripped off so bad in that deal.
@justin
Me too. Especially since he's finally starting to figure things out.
I'd be so nonplussed if we traded Harden. :( Even if it might be warranted to get a starting center.
Turk (OKC)
Kristic expiring, the clippers 2012, and James Harden for Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao. Who says no?
Chad Ford (1:17 PM)
I could see something like this happening. The Thunder have been out there looking for a veteran big man and all the names you mentioned they would look to move. Varejao would be a great addition to the Thunder. And that deal would give Cavs some relief, a backcourt scorer and a decent pick in 2012
@Keith
I don't think Green has more value to a team like Cleveland that is rebuilding. Harden would have more value because he has two more cheap years on rookie scale. Green's going to get paid almost immediately. The league can be dumb sometimes in how players are valued but I don't think they are this dumb.
I think that Green + Cole might be enough because Cole has a lot of cheap years ahead of him and was a lottery pick.
@Keith
I disagree, but maybe I'm too close to the situation. FWIW, I was tweeting with John Krolik about this last night and it sounded like he wouldn't touch Green with a 10 foot pole. He wanted Harden.
@f5alcon
By the way, Jamison scares me for another reason: we would effectively be rebuilding the Arenas-Butler-Jamison Wizards. The current comparisons are bad enough, and emphasize just how poorly this team plays/is run at times. But to go out and get an old version of someone who was never that great to begin with? That starts putting us in territory I don't want to see.
I think Aldrich is a more appealing asset than Green, especially for the Cavs. And we have picks. But is Aldrich + Green + picks is my best offer.
@f5alcon
Right, that's my thinking. Jamison isn't a scrub yet, he's better than Green at most things as a wing player. They actually have very similar lines this season.
@justin@Sammy
I somewhat agree, but only to our team specifically. Green, in my opinion, has more value around the league than Harden (who played like a rookie last year and started terribly this year). It takes time for people around the league to catch up, and right now Green is a versatile forward who played major minutes for a 50 win team while Harden is that 3rd overall pick who couldn't beat out Thabo Sefolosha.
Is Green too little, given the glaring and constantly spotlighted hole the Cavs have at SF? For them, it's not just about getting someone to fill in, it's about having the chance to move on from Lebron. Further, while money may make Green at or above what Varejao makes, it's not like Varejao is taking them anywhere to begin with. I would be willing to throw in Cole to make it work, is that not enough?
i think jamison is better than his cleveland numbers, last season before he got traded he was averaging 20.5ppg and 8.8 rpg for the wizards over half a season. he also is a career 34% 3 pt shooter which is better than green. So while expensive, he doesnt tie us up long term and i doubt we have a legit chance at gasol or anybody significantly better than varajao
Osano-Whoa :@justin
What about Maynor + Green + salary?
Probably too little. Ramon Sessions is better than Eric Maynor.
What else would Cleveland want? What about DJ White or Maynor? We can survive just fine without either....
@justin
What about Maynor + Green + salary?