Matt Moore at HP expanding more on Westbrook: “Westbrook takes what’s his. It’s honestly the biggest difference between he and KD. Durant is always judging himself, the shot, the defense, the game, trying to find that equilibrium that allows him to do amazing things. He’s a kid searching through radio stations for that song he heard once. If he finds the right frequency, everything falls into place. Westbrook on the other hand is just going to run in and jump on the bed until it breaks and then run downstairs for his pudding pop. It’s not the best thing. But it’s the thing which hits you in the seratonin spots like chocolate.”
I don’t really get this paragraph from Ballin Europe: “It’s official: As though the Oklahoma City Thunder needed more cause to be anywhere from giddy to ecstatic about the immediate future, they’ll now be able to anticipate the addition of a talented multi-dimensional big man in a year or two in Jan Vesely.”
An email I got last night: “i look just lik kevin durant if he make a movie let me kno call me at 678-xxx-3253 n i send u a picture bye.” That has to be the best email ever written.
KD finally makes an appearance in ESPN’s MVP Award Watch: “He’s probably not going to win the award, as many so-called experts predicted, but the league’s top scorer has put together another strong season.”
From Elias: The Thunder had a wire-to-wire victory over the Kings on Tuesday night; the final score: 126-96. So we’re not here to tell you that Oklahoma City’s 28-of-30 performance from the foul line was the determining factor in their triumph. But the Thunder’s foul shooting bears watching: the team is now shooting 82.7 percent from the line, and only two teams in NBA history have finished a season with higher percentages: the 1989-90 Celtics (83.2 percent) and the 2002-03 Mavericks (82.9 percent).
FSOK set a regular season ratings record with the Thunder’s game against the Grizzlies. What?
John Hollinger searching for the next Thunder: “As a result, these probable playoff party crashers are two of the four teams I’d like to look at Tuesday — young teams on the rise that are playing better basketball of late and have yet to grab much national attention. For that, blame the Bulls and Thunder. Clearly any discussion of teams on the rise needs to focus on those two — both seem poised to win 50 games and survive at least a round in the playoffs, and the sky’s the limit for each in terms of the future.”
Ryan Costello of Hoops Addict making a start Collison case: “The starting unit with Collison at center is better in rebounding percentage, turnover rate, attempts more shots at the rim, allows fewer at the rim, and surrenders a lower effective field goal percentage, a stat adjusted to value three-pointers proportionately.”
Darnell Mayberry’s notes: “I’ve said before that it’s hard to reel in Westbrook. Doing so could take away his effectiveness. He’s got to learn to manage the game like this consistently on his own. But tonight’s attack showed how great the Thunder can be if he defers and gets everyone involved. He makes Green better. He makes Nenad Krstic more of a threat. And his passing rubs off on teammates. Westbrook can score whenever he wants. The fourth quarter should be his time to shine. But in the first three, things would be o much easier if Westbrook stepped it up as a set-up man.”
funny:
Chris Bosh = Ostrich
I need to save this one for the next time we play Miami.
@prye05
I don't feel that I'm over-reacting...
I'm just in FRIGGIN SHOCK... that's all
:)
heck, even my orangutan couldn't believe it when I told him
@prye05
I do. So we can get it right this time around and beat them
@innocent bystander
Or it's hidden option C: It's 1 game that doesn't mean anything... that's why the regular season is 82 games long. Considered one of the greatest teams ever the Bulls team that won 72 games in a season still managed to lose 10. In the playoffs you can get absolutely destroyed 1 game and still end up winning the series. 1 game means nothing there is no reason to truly over react about it. Yes, the Lakers might have some flaws but I'd be much more concerned if they were about to miss the playoffs than the fact that they lost one game on the road. Especially since it is a few days before the all-star break after a long road trip in a game when they thought they could just show up and let talent play and still only lost by 5. I'd still not want to see these Lakers in a 7 game series.
man, I just told some dude that the Cavs beat the Lakers
check out his reaction
don't blame him -- I kinda felt the same way
this Lakers/Cavs game is really, really screwing with my head
either
a) the Cavaliers are a much better than we have given them credit for or
b) the Lakers are out-of-sorts and not playing well at all
I'm not buying option a at all -- the Cavs are just an incredibly bad team this year (exceptionally bad)
so.. it must be option b
don't know what that means for our upcoming game with the Lakers, but we'll see
@innocent bystander
lol your not dreaming dude. it is a bit strange but anything is possible. i mean we almost lost to the kings just a few days ago then we play them again and go beast mode on them . i mean 30 point blow out! and last 6 mins or so was our bench in lol.
this just in: winged pigs spotted flying over Ohio
:O
@innocent bystander
The Cavs beat the Celtics on opening night.
These are professional basketball players it's not like they don't get paid to play basketball.
Further have you seen march madness teams get upset in a 1 game series all the time, it doesn't mean the playoffs won't be a different story.
Finally, this might make the Lakers really motivated after the break, or inspired to make some trades now, or both. So i wouldn't necessarily count on them continuing to struggle.
dang, my head is spinning
maybe we really CAN nab the 3 seed if the Lakers are going to play like that
if we get our house in order and the Lakers keep struggling...
nah, this can't be -- I'm going to wake up soon and find out that I'm just a gigantic insect having a dream
alright, I've checked the date on my calendar several time now, and it's definitely not April 1st
cmon, did the Lakers really just lose to the Cavaliers?
OMG!
ok, this is really gonna suck now if we DON'T WIN against the Lakers at home. I mean, the indignity of not being able to accomplish what even the worst team in the NBA managed to do
:(
I go off for a while, come back, and apparently my computer screen is mal-functioning...
...becausing it is displaying text that indicates that the LA Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers
clearly, this must be a technical glitch on my end on not an actual statement of fact
(would use an "astonished-out-of-my-mind" smiley at the bottom here, if I knew of one)
WHAT THE !
Lakers lose to the Cavs????
WHAT????
Moute and Brockman should be available for discussion and might be worthwhile.
If you had to pick between the following centers who are all FA's during the off-season which one do you take: (To make things even we'll say they all get "reasonable" contract offers, not overpaid based on potential ones)(Obviously, I left off people like Perkins, Dalembert, Marc Gasol, because those would be the easy options)
A. Yao Ming
B. Greg Oden
C. Eddy Curry
D. Nenad Kristic
@prye05
Also with every trade it's about the return vs the cost. In this case getting Lopez is nice granted it costs us Harden AND Green AND Aldrich plus we have to take back Outlaw. Which compared to a deal with Sac for example where we could send expiring contracts and a few picks and they'd probably let us have Dalembert for the rest of the year... both teams keep their cap space the same, we have no room for the picks anyway, and they get something they can use for Dalembert who isn't in their long term plans I don't think. Or what a rebuilding Denver team would want for Nene vs what Denver would do if they don't trade Melo, etc etc point being all trades have risks vs rewards and cost vs value.
Just talking about draft things, I like how last summer I was a big fan of getting some international bigs especially Donatas Motiejunas who last year was expected to fall into the 20's or even the 2nd round and this year is in the projected top 15. What a difference a year makes.
@justin
I don't think it would happen from the Net's point of view, but I could also see Presti balking at taking back a contract and giving up both Green and Harden (Personally I don't think he'd be THAT mad about losing Cole if he's gaining a starting C).
@prye05
It's fun to think about, but I really, really don't think it's Sam Presti's style to take back a bad long term contract in any deal.
@RWisMyFavThunder
Don't forget we also have some expiring contracts in addition to draft picks and decent pieces, which the ability for some teams to move a contract and take back a player is more than some teams like the cavs are offering where they're just willing to absorb contract and want picks and young players to do so. After all last year when we got maynor it was essentially taking a contract and maynor into our space, being able to offer picks and young players to take an attractive piece and a bad contract means that we have some opportunities available to us. There are some big contracts like the 14.2 trade exception cle has, Eddy Curry's 10mil expiring the knicks have, the rockets have Yao's huge contract that is covered by insurance, and the Bucks have Michael Redd's huge contract, but not a lot of teams have expirings, young players, and multiple picks like we do.
@justin
Short answer: Yes, I'd be willing to do that.
Long answer: Outlaw getting paid 7mil for what he does is a little steep, but Green, Harden, and Cole will probably cost more (If Harden and Cole continue to develop) than what Outlaw and Lopez would cost. Next year for example will only cost 10mil for both of those players (which eventually Lopez will cost 10mil a year... but Green might get paid that kind of money this off-season but that's a different point). Outlaw isn't exactly a bad bench scorer so him in the 6th man scoring role isn't a bad thing. Lopez, Durant, Westbrook all under 25 is a scary scary proposition especially given how Collison/Ibaka would slide in next to them. Plus with Thabo and Cook potentially able to fill in for now if we aren't giving up all our picks we could use a pick on a SG with immediate value such as Nolan Smith or Kyle Singler of Duke or go with a higher upside type player that we might miss out on but have a chance to get a long term SG filler if we hit it right and have the time to develop them since we wouldn't necessarily need them right away. But I'm not sure if the Nets would be willing to give up Lopez, especially now that they are supposedly back in the Melo trade rumors, but if they miss out on that I see them wanting to build around Favors and Lopez and whoever their top 10 pick is this year, but who knows. So if I'm the Thunder I take that deal and build around 3 under 25 yr old all-star caliber players... if I'm the Nets I wouldn't do that deal.
@f5alcon
Though I still feel that Presti is going to try and find a way to keep both Green and Harden, which limits who we can acquire even with multiple 1st round picks and decent pieces (Aldrich, DJ White, etc.)
andrew :
I would not take Outlaw back for Lopez. That is basically spending another 7 million dollars for the next five years for Lopez, because Outlaw might not play at all on our team.
I wouldn't either, but I'm just guessing it would be a condition for acquiring him.
I think if Memphis can retain only one of them they will choose Gasol, though, since he will be cheaper and is more likely to decline. Zach Randolph doesn't exactly look like a guy who's going to remain highly productive into his mid-30's.
@justin
id rather not give up harden, maybe thabo, who fits avery johnson better and our 1st rd picks this year and next year and the clippers pick.
I just don't see Presti getting rid of Harden and Green. One of them, Aldrich/Mullens, and picks, yes, maybe even throw in Latavius Williams/DJ White, but not Harden and Green. I could be wrong. Of course, the Presti model seems to be not to acquire anybody so I guess we all just have to root for Cole to get in shape.
@Keith
It probably depends a whole lot on what happens with the CBA. If they can unload Thabeet somehow, they'll only have ~$35 million committed next season. So if they feel they have a shot at something good with these guys, they might be able to retain both Randolph and Gasol assuming similar CBA parameters as we have now. Even if they don't move Thabeet, they might be able to squeeze them in. It'd probably make things tough in the future for them financially, but if they make the playoffs and give it a good run I bet they find a way to keep both unless they want to go elsewhere.
I would not take Outlaw back for Lopez. That is basically spending another 7 million dollars for the next five years for Lopez, because Outlaw might not play at all on our team.
@prye05
Nets are 11th in DREB% in the league, so while some of his problems on the boards might have to do with playing with other guys who can grab them, I don't think it's the whole story. He should be getting more. i.e. someone like David West is decent on the defensive glass, in spite of playing next to a top ten defensive rebounder in Emeka Okafor. 12.5% DREB is horrific for a big guy no matter how you slice it...
I'd still take Lopez, though. I'd give NJN Harden+Green+Aldrich for him, but I bet they'd want OKC to take back Outlaw. Worth it?
@justin
What do you think Memphis is going to do? They keep saying they want Gasol more than Randolph, but their team has absolutely no playoff chances without Randolph. Moreover, Randolph isn't going to be cheap after two career kind of years with the Grizz. I'm sure they really do want to keep Gasol, but don't you think there is at least some opportunity if someone offers a high enough offer? Pau was pretty frank in that he hated the organization and felt they treated him poorly. Marc is obviously a RFA, with no leverage, but his wanting out could have an affect.
Aldridge is doing great job,but he didn't show these and was No.2 player when Roy was healthy.Thunder have Russ and KD,can Aldridge keep his level?If he join thunder,can he be our No.2 player?
Keith :@justin
If Nene isn’t traded, and exercises his opt out, I hope we pursue him in free agency.
I hope so too...
@prye05
I agree with what you said except for the Bargnani-Evans comparison. Bargnani simply doesnt rebound. At all. Evans has only played in 15 games this year!
@justin
The PF position in NJ is actually a high rebounding duo with Humphries and Favors, so part of the reason he doesn't get as many rebounds is because that's essentially their job and main responsibility. Similar to the fact that Darko doesn't get many rebounds with K. Love around or Bargnani getting many rebounds with R. Evans around. It's hard to have 2 dominant post rebound players, very rarely will multiple players consistently put up huge rebounding numbers on the same team.
@justin
If Nene isn't traded, and exercises his opt out, I hope we pursue him in free agency.
@Keith
Camby and Haywood seem like similar situations since they were both expiring and probably would not return to their teams.
I guess we'll see what happens. Even if Carmelo is traded, I'd be surprised if Nene was...
@Greg
Don't remind me, he's on my fantasy team!
Greg :@prye05
You do realize Brook Lopez has 4 double-digit rebound games the ENTIRE year, right? Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a talented player, but he clearly has some issues.
I'd take him on the Thunder. I don't think it's possible his DREB% this year (12.5%) is anything but a fluke. His rookie year he was rebounding well on the defensive end, it went down a little bit, but still within acceptable range in his second year. This year it just plummeted. I don't know why it happened, but I don't think it stays that way.
I think the high usage this year is affecting his offense. His first two years he was fairly efficient offensive player with a 20+ USG. This season his USG is over 27 and his efficiency has dropped.
If this could be a 'buy low' moment for Brook Lopez I'd be interested. If Chris Kaman can make a damn All Star game, Lopez could at some point IMO.
@justin
I can't think of anyone in exactly the same situation as Nene (in large part because Nene really isn't a big enough name), but high end PF/Cs have changed teams more than I originally expected.
This year Chandler was picked up for cap space.
Last year Camby, Haywood, and Okafor all moved in basically salary dumps.
Year before that was Randolph.
Year before that was Pau Gasol.
Garnett was had for a package built around relatively unproven Al Jefferson and a package of young but also unproven losers.
I remember the Pistons picking up multiple all star Rasheed Wallace and Chris Webber changing teams a couple times.
There's always movement in the NBA.
justin :
I think Avery Johnson has eaten Brook Lopez’s soul. He’s not as bad as he’s shown this year.
I think its funny the Nets believe Melo would sign an extension with Avery as coach. Seriously, what star would want to play for him? Especially one who freelances on offense as much as Melo.
Tim D is a center. Nuff said:)
@prye05
You do realize Brook Lopez has 4 double-digit rebound games the ENTIRE year, right? Don't get me wrong, he's still a talented player, but he clearly has some issues.
Thunder are congested at the guard and PF positions
@prye05
Lopez is soft, and his rebound rate is just a smidge better than Russ's. Definitely not a top ten center.
I guess it can go either way, but I have always considered Duncan more of a Center than a PF. I think most would agree with me.
Id take Tim Duncan 5 yrs from now. He is beast
@justin
It seems like he did that to Troy Murphy too. Is Johnson really that bad of a coach?
@Greg
I traded him too before he started sucking. I think I traded him and D-Rose for Billups and Jeff Green (I'm talking about last year's D-Rose)
I think Avery Johnson has eaten Brook Lopez's soul. He's not as bad as he's shown this year.
andrew :
Sometime I want it explained to me how Ariza was so good in the 09 Laker playoff run, and so bad since.
If you go back and look at the stats, he had a great first couple months with Houston. I traded for him in fantasy around that time, and he's been a trainwreck since.