Morning readers of the Internet. Thank you for your support of DT. Try not to think too much about the impending lockout.
A lot of people, Kevin Durant included, have said that Reggie Jackson is pretty Russell Westbrook-ish. A lengthy, hyper-athletic point guard listed at 6-3 with a ton of speed and the ability to fly over anyone. And after you watch this dunk from Reggie, it’s hard not to think of this dunk from Westbrook. If the Thunder truly found a little Russell, then I’d the 2011 draft was a success.
@ DJ 7
I saw an article yesterday that said no one from the organization could have any sort of contact with the players during a lockout. Can't recall where.
@ Thomas
no but if the guys really wanted to, they can host their own scrimmages and just make it a coincidence that Brooks and Co are there. They would be able to run sets, practice, and stay in shape. It wouldn't be breaking the lockout. Coaches, Players, and Owners can't meet with players over the bargaining issue. That doesn't mean they can't meet to have a dinner or have a pick up game. KD, and Co can do this, and announce it to people as a scrimmage featuring Kevin Durant, and co. Not say its a scrimmage featuring the Thunder. You get what i mean?
My wondering on our guys playing in the D-league had only to do with Reggie and Cole. I don't think the vets would do it since it could weaken their bargaining position ("play for less you say, sure we'll play for MUCH less"). Don't forget Reggie probabaly won't see any sort of a paycheck from the team if this lockout goes into place. Also, if possible I would like to get him learning our sets. If the worst happens and a lockout takes out a big chunk of the season he would have a leg up. We assume he won't get much playing time this season. But injuries happen and it would sure be nice to get him some experience.
@ TempBoy Brandon
Oh yeah, I don't see why KD can't convinced some peaps from Gatorade, or someone here like Chesapeak, just give a call to all the boys, and say hey lets do this. To promote it, they just say these guys are players from the Thunder, and not say the actual THUNDER. People would get the point.
@ DJ 7
Yeah, I'm just kinda daydreaming out loud. It'd be all kinds of cool though, eh?
TempBoy Brandon :
justin :Would players with NBA contracts be permitted to play in the D-League during a lockout? Seems unlikely.
You know that if anybody were to do it, it would be KD and crew. The guys are just addicted to basketball. Imagine the attendance at the 66ers games if KD were to play. And talk about getting Tulsa really hyped up about Thunder basketball.
They would have to rent out thr BOK center for the night, and have their own game kinda the way the Thunder do at schools in the pre-season, but not say its a Thunder scrimmage. They're locked out, so no one except maybe our D-league contract players can play for the 66ers. No Reggie, No Cole. If KD and crew wanted to do something like that for Tulsa, they'll have to do it at their own cost, or find a seperate sponsor to fund the event.
justin :Would players with NBA contracts be permitted to play in the D-League during a lockout? Seems unlikely.
You know that if anybody were to do it, it would be KD and crew. The guys are just addicted to basketball. Imagine the attendance at the 66ers games if KD were to play. And talk about getting Tulsa really hyped up about Thunder basketball.
Do you think Presti's new evaluation technique is the bow tie standard? That's three straight picks (Harden, Aldrich, Jackson) that have rocked a bow tie at some point...
It would seem logical that they would be allowed to play there. I am just not sure what the incentive would be. An All star could probably make more from a couple autograph signing sessions than a year in the D League. Deron Williams and others are already shopping around places to play in Europe during the lockout.
justin :Would players with NBA contracts be permitted to play in the D-League during a lockout? Seems unlikely.
This what I'm wondering. I haven't been able to find anything definitive. Teams being able to assign players to the D-League 3 times was part of the CBA which is expiring. So once it's expired does that mean they can't be assigned at all, or does it mean they have unlimited ability to be assigned?
Lol @daniel I swear I get those all the time
Now you guys can start posting again since you do not have to fear being the last post on the page that no one will ever read
Dunk was clearly not a charge, nor does it compare to some of Russ;s buggest dunks, even that one when he was at UCLA, where he seemed almost parallel to teh floor
@ justin
He also mentioned a bone test that was done. The fact that Givony retweeted it legitimized it enough for me.
Plus, in Presti I trust.
@ Daniel Plainview
I know we cannot get both of them.It is a choice,offense or defense.
I dislike Landry but maybe we need him more than Martin.Perk+Ibaka+Collison made Nene Marc and Z-Bo play below their average,it is enough to a team which want to win champion.A post scorer like Landry can give us more useful options in offense end.And he can replace Harden as our bench scorer if Harden starts next season.
The Beard Knows :Kahn strikes again. The wolves diamond in the rough from Qatar turns out to be 26 instead of 21. The worst part is it even had his correct age on the team’s page, so it really shouldn’t have taken much due diligence.
This guy was born in Brazzaville, the city that Serge Ibaka is from. I wouldn't mention it but Ibaka's agent on twitter shot down questions about his age while claiming that he's from "the big city" not the jungle.
Would players with NBA contracts be permitted to play in the D-League during a lockout? Seems unlikely.
I've been reading alot of analysis columns from the draft. Aside from sacramento, I think it's been lost a little bit how badly Minnesota dealt. They let Jonny Flynn go for nothing (if not a starter, he is an extremely valuable backup point guard). And they let Montiejunas go for Brad Miller - what the hell! Granted Monitjunas' defensive game is anemic, but i think being a 7 footer with the amount of potential his offensive game has left, that was beyond ridiculous to trade for a guy who doesnt fit the young up and coming structure the Wolves have. I wouldn't trust the Wolves management if i wanted a ring and I was a franchise talent.
justin :@ Mark! It was all down hill from there.
Two his assignements early one were Dwight and Al Jefferson. He played hard on Dwight and got dunked on hard as well. But he played him, in 10 minutes as well as Ibaka did. I though he played Jefferson better than Perk did. granted it was one of Perks first games after his return from injury, but his vet savvy went for naught. Cole played him tight and forced several misses. i think youre being to tough on a rookie 5, as you know, usually have a tougher time adjustiign to teh NBA game. He played so little, theres no way he had a chance to shine. And Im saying this from a guy who was disappointed when they drafted him. I have hope he can evolve into a very effective defensive center
Kahn strikes again. The wolves diamond in the rough from Qatar turns out to be 26 instead of 21. The worst part is it even had his correct age on the team's page, so it really shouldn't have taken much due diligence.
Reggie seems to be a much better shooter than Russ. From what i've seen - his game is alot like eric gordons
@ Daniel Plainview
I have never been to a 66ers game but I would definitely make the trip at least a time or two if there was no Thunder and I could see Reggie and Cole.
Royce, can we do a thread where we postulate on who would be the best pick up in free agency? I know some guys here are a little more informed about trade and salary issues that make some options appealing or moot. I, for one, am often ignorant of the technicalities that prevent FA dreams from coming true
Some of the guys I pushed for at the end of he season were shot down by logistics that I wasnt aware of. So can we throw out some names and scenarios and workshop our FA dreams and likely hoods that they may come true?
@ Thomas
Dont know, but Id be going to the Tulsa 66ers board everyday for updates. I do want to see Latavious, Millsap, Reg, COle and Byron play.
Does anyone know if the D-League schedule is going ahead as planned? A few months back there was a story that the D-Leaguers wouldn't be locked out. If so, and the lockout lasts into the regular season could they assign Reggie to the D-League to get him some PT? Or would that not be allowed since he is technically an NBA player even if assigned.
shiki :Kenyon Martin or Carl Landry,I dont know who is better but I hope we can get one of them.
Dont want either. Why do we need more PF's when were short on sf's? Id prefer a combo forward, one who can hit three's on the second unit.
Kivman :Probably an obvious comment, but it really seems to be “freakish wingspan” is a characteristic that Presti LOVES. I wait to hear about wingspan with every pick he makes.
Coles is apparently absurd. looks absurd. Kds too. Colli probably has short arms, Maynor too
Probably an obvious comment, but it really seems to be "freakish wingspan" is a characteristic that Presti LOVES. I wait to hear about wingspan with every pick he makes.
Kenyon Martin or Carl Landry,I dont know who is better but I hope we can get one of them.
I listened to the BS Report Draft Edition earlier today and Simmons interviewed KAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNN! I am always thankful for Presti, but listening to that idiot made me appreciate him even more. Kahn's reasoning for his decisions and some of the things he said about coaches and players were ridiculous. How does he have a job?
Players want more money, and feel free to demand trades, and create Super teams at their will like Miami, and what can be New York if they make the right moves.
Ownders want to make more money, Cut salaries for players and say its because of others purposes but its really to put more money into their pockets.
However, surely the players see that a guy like Rashard Lewis shouldn't be making almost the same amount of money KD will be for the next two years.
Surely the owners see that when you hire Gm's that are willing to over pay guys like Rashard Lewis, Andre Blatch, and draft bust after bust like David Kahn. Well its kinda their fault for hiring idiots.
Whats sad about it all, is they keep saying "Lets do whats best for the business to run so we can do whats best for the fans." so far its looks like they're trying to do "whats best" for themselves.
I admit, Reggie's grown on me. It really is too bad we won't see basketball again for a long, long time. :(
Wow, Reggie really does come across well in that press conference. I liked the pick already, but that solidified it for me. Its not guarantee, but kids with good heads on their shoulders have a better chance of success.
@ justin
Obviously age and injury has slowed him down though. Players like Blatch, Brand, and Hansbourough got the best of him at times. Still though i agree, he's still a Mid Level. He'd defintely would make a team like the Nets(if he was to go back), or even Orlando better. Definitely a real good back up PF if someone can get him like that.
Kenyon Martin's a good defensive player still. If Drew Gooden got full MLE, I think K-Mart will get similar though probably not as many years.
Bryson :@ DJ 7 In my opinion he is worth a sad, sad amount. I really don’t think he’s good at all anymore. I mean, what did he average against us? 5 and 2?
He got a double double twice, went 18, and 7 once, then had two ok games. I wouldn't say he's worth a sad amount, i suggest 6-8 million a season because some teams out there are really willing to over pay, but really his talent is around 5-7. Unless he has a great up-coming season where ever he goes, and avg's 10-10 a game, then maybe he'd be worth 5-8 even at his old age.
There were times in the series were he made Ibaka look foolish. Wasn't a good match up for Congo, and Nene had a little advantage over Perkins. Thats why they were always able to score more points in the paint and within 15 feet to start to the game, and finish.
We have yet to see if his game translates to the next level but we can now say he appears to be good with the media. That's not a prerequisite but a nice bonus all the same.
@ DJ 7
In my opinion he is worth a sad, sad amount. I really don't think he's good at all anymore. I mean, what did he average against us? 5 and 2?
@ Cpt. C-note
Thanks, Pops C-note!
Very much liked the intetview. Sharp, poised kid
I want an honest opinion. How much do you guys think Kenyon Martin is worth now? I'm not saying this for the Thunder to try to aquire him. Earlier i was joking with my brother and said Thunder should sign Mart to a 2 year 10 million dollar contract. My brother(knowing that i was kidding) said that would be stupid because K-Mart is worth the 10 million per season. Then i went on to point out how he's missed 58 games in the last 3 seasons. Took several steps down in defense, doesn't even have an OK back to the post game like he use to in New Jersey. Doesn't shoot efficiently anymore, and No longer an option in late game situations.
So my question is, How much do you think he's worth? I say he's still a real good quality player, and maybe would still start at PF for numerous teams but i don't think he's worth 9-13 million a year anymore. More like 6=8.
You can hear other questions and comments from the conference here:
hwtp://www.newsok.com/thunder-introduces-reggie-jackson/multimedia/video/1023424358001
@ Greg
http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/jackson_110625.html
Link to press conference?
Sorry, that sounded meaner then I meant. I really wish.we could give he and Cole more run
@ justin
I was curious about that since Presti seema smitten with sterling characters, save that ogre Mullens.
I'm really impressed by how Jackson spoke at his press conference. Seems like a smart kid with a good head on his shoulders.
@ okc baby
Roy Hibbert? We can't get any of those guys even though i would love to get Shane, or Hill. Shane has no purpose on this team, unless Thabo is gone but you'll pee yourself if that happens. Hill will either stay in Phoenix, or sign with a team like New York, Boston, ect.
Mark! :@ DSYIII Byron is an athlete w/ negative BBIQ. Some players can get away with having low BBIQ if they have solid instincts/intuition (rebounding/shot blocking specialists will sometimes fall in this camp.) Byron has always looked 100% overwhelmed IMO. That’s why I write him off.Cole is the opposite. He may not be as good of an athlete and I haven’t seen enough to speak on his instincts, but he never looked overwhelmed when he was on the floor.Just my two cents.
I may get Heat for this, but Serge Ibaka was some what of a mess when he first started out for us. Of course no where near as bad as Mullens or Aldrich. Mullens takes the cake. Even Robert Swift didn't seem as lost.
@ Bryson
I'de like Johnson, but i don't think Minny would do it. If what you say is true about Minny showing negative tension towards him then i guess it would be a good move. Maybe Minny releases him by the start of the season(if we have one), and we can pick him up as a F.A., i just don't see Minny wanting either Mullens or Nate.
Mark! :I’ll always remember Aldrich’s first bucket:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA2KwAJ2LVk
At that game, i really felt like the refs were against us for some reason. Everytime we went on a run, we would get called for a terrible charging, or traveling call.