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Could Ricky Rubio and Russell Westbrook co-exist in the backcourt?

by Royce Young on June 24, 2009 at 3:50 pm 96 Comments

Five minutes don’t go by without me changing my mind on Ricky Rubio or James Harden. I’ll start to get really excited about Harden and all the intangibles he can untitled bring. But then I see a couple Rubio highlights and I picture him on a fast break with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant and I forget all about that other guy. I’ll get intrigued by Rubio’s potential and flash but then on the other hand, I see Harden’s need. Of course, there’s some outside options (Steph Curry, Hasheem Thabeet), or Memphis could make up Oklahoma City’s mind for it by taking one or the other, but I get the feeling Sam Presti is picking between these two guys.

But one thing’s holding some people back on Rubio, potentially one of those people even being Russell Westbrook. The Thunder’s already got a point guard and he may not want to move over.

When Westbrook was asked about Rubio getting picked by OKC, which would mean he’d slide to the 2 he replied, “You trippin’.” Doesn’t sound like he’s thrilled about the idea. But you never know how he said it. He may have said it with a huge grin on his face and maybe followed up with, “Of course I’m down with doing whatever’s best for the team though.” Westbrook has said repeatedly that he wants to be a point guard and I don’t doubt him. I wanted to be an astronaut but at some point I had to realize maybe that wasn’t happening. (Not to say Russ isn’t a point guard by any means. I’m just saying that if he has to slide over, I’m sure he’d rather play than sit.)

I know the report today is that Westbrook wouldn’t be happy about Rubio stepping in. And that’s fine, I’d understand that. But I don’t think it should be taken as a “You’re not a point guard, move over” type of thing. And I don’t think Westbrook would take it that way. Sure, maybe he’d be a little bothered by the fact he was getting pushed over for the new guy, but the game of basketball is a free flowing thing. It’s not like the Colts drafting Sam Bradford and telling Peyton Manning he has to be a tight end. The ball will still be in Westbrook’s hands plenty and he’ll probably stay every bit the point guard he is right now. Because if we’re honest with ourselves, and Russ is honest with himself, it’s not like he’s going to be a player like Steve Nash that racks up 15 or 16 assists. He’s a scoring point guard and that’s what he wants to be. Keep Reading…

The Lost Ogle/Daily Thunder Mock (Picks 15-30)

by Royce Young on June 24, 2009 at 10:10 am 9 Comments

I teamed up with Clark of The Lost Ogle and Max Trueblood, a brilliant poster at the wonderful OKCThunderFans.com for a little mock draft. Picks 1-14 can be found at the exquisite Lost Ogle. And do yourself a favor in the meantime and add that site to your daily reading. It’s excellent stuff. And written by two wildly handsome people. So they say.

With the 15th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select … B.J. Mullens, center, Ohio State University

(Pick made by Royce Young)

Mullens is as raw a talent as you’ll see. He’s got a ton of physical gifts, one being that he’s 7’1″. Another is that he’s got go-go-gadget arms and even another is that he can jump like a shooting guard. Oh, and he also sported a little lip fur last season in Columbus. But the Pistons have already expressed interest and they need a center. Call me crazy, but I don’t think Kwame Brown is the answer there. I see Mullens potentially being what Tyson Chandler is now, but that’s only if he can tap into that potential. Or play with Chris Paul. One of the two.

With the 16th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select … DeJuan Blair, power forward, University of Pitt

(Pick made by Clark Matthews)

This past weekend, the Bulls had a huge workout that tipped the hand of what direction they intend to go with this pick. They invited Blair, Mullens, James Johnson, and Tyler Hansbrough, all big guys, to compete against one another. Hansbrough had to turn them down because he was already scheduled to try out for the Nets who picked 11th. Unless Crazy T gets into Chicago this week, that means this pick likely comes down to Blair and Johnson. Blair’s strength and rebounding would complement the more finesse big guys Chicago already has under contract.

With the 17th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select … Eric Maynor, point guard, Virginia Commonwealth University

(Pick made by Max Trueblood)

It’s another toss up. This time between Maynor and Ty Lawson with Maynor getting the edge due to a height advantage. Sixer management is convinced that Louis Williams is not a point guard and is better suited to being an undersized 2G off the bench who can score in bunches. Philly will most likely re-sign Andre Miller but he’s in his 30′s and has logged 10 years in the association. Maynor fills in well as a sturdy backup for now that can easily be groomed for the starting spot down the road. Keep Reading…

Wednesday Bolts – 6.24.09

by Royce Young on June 24, 2009 at 7:43 am 61 Comments

We’re drawing in folks. Trades are starting to fly, people are feeling it and within 48 hours, we will have one, maybe thunderbolt2317 two new guys in Thunder blue. I’m excited. What say you? (And if you haven’t entered the Daily Thunder MockTest, you best hurry up. All the cool kids are doing it.)

I teamed up with The Lost Ogle to put together an extensive mock draft. Part I is over there and Part II will be here later today: “Memphis – James Harden. This one is tough. With Ricky Rubio’s contract situation seemingly taken care of and there being no way for him to go back as bridges have been burned, Memphis would seemingly be in position to call (Rubio’s agent, Dan) Fegan’s bluff but at the end of the day, there is still risk involved. Harden represents more of a sure thing as he is more NBA ready than either Rubio or Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis needs someone who can give them immediate hope to inspire a deadbeat fanbase. Harden represents that. Look for management to follow through on their word and make O.J. Mayo the point guard of the future with Harden playing the 2 spot.”

Bad news about OKC’s arena deal – we’re a little short right now: “City officials are reassessing an ongoing $100 million renovation of the arena where the Oklahoma City Thunder play, because a sales tax that was supposed to fund it has brought in less money than expected. With shoppers buying less so far this year, the tax approved by voters as a way to lure the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics to town — where they were renamed the Thunder — has produced $4.2 million below projections.” Does anybody know if T. Boone is a Thunder fan?

I joined Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxsym for a podcast. Listen to me talk (first is Kevin Arnovitz and I’m on like 10 minutes in):

Chad Ford reports a rumor that OKC is after the 14 pick:” One rumor that won’t go away has the Suns and Thunder talking about a draft-day swap that would give Oklahoma City the 14th pick and land the Suns the Thunder’s 25th pick and, more importantly for the Suns, the return of their first-round pick in 2010. The Suns traded that pick to the Thunder several years ago as part of the Kurt Thomas trade. The trade is unprotected next year, and with the Suns flirting with rebuilding, they don’t want to lose it. Sources say the Thunder have an eye for Ohio State center B.J. Mullens and likely will take him if he’s available at No. 14.” Keep Reading…

Thunder hires Spanish law firm to possibly handle Rubio’s buyout

by Royce Young on June 23, 2009 at 2:53 pm 64 Comments

Johnny Ludden, Yahoo Sports:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have hired a prestigious Barcelona law firm to assist them should they draft Spanish guard Ricky Rubio.

Rubio has a large buyout with Spanish team DKV Joventut Badalona, and Thunder officials are using the firm to brief them on the country’s contract law and procedures. Thunder GM Sam Presti met with Rubio and his agent this past weekend.

Rubio reportedly has made progress on lowering his buyout to $4 million, still a hefty cost, but he also reportedly could be allowed to make payments over several years.

Does that mean anything substantial? Have the Thunder and Rubio come to some sort of agreement? I really have no idea. All I know is that OKC appears ready to pick Ricky Rubio.

Plus, listen to the B.S. Report today to hear Simmons and Chad Ford talk about Rubio’s NBA readiness, the brilliance of Sam Presti and how the Thunder will be everybody’s favorite team if they take Rubio (fast forward to about 21 minutes in; h/t Dustin).

Tuesday Bolts – 6.23.09

by Royce Young on June 23, 2009 at 8:12 am 68 Comments

Don’t forget to send in your submission for the Daily Thunder MockTest. Winner gets an autographed copy of thunderbolt2316 Strong and Handsome: The Royce Young Story.

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News on the draft’s swingmen: “Either way, it may well describe James Harden, the Arizona State shooting guard who may or may not be the second player chosen in Thursday night’s NBA draft. He most certainly is in the conversation when it comes to figuring out who goes directly after Blake Griffin. “He’s a ready-made, step-in NBA contributor,” Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. And there just aren’t many of those in this draft. In fact, Harden may be the only one at the swing positions – shooting guard and small forward.”

Taylor Griffin was “drafted” to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. I really have no idea what that means or if he’s actually a Globetrotter now, but that’s what happened: “The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters today selected University of Oklahoma senior forward Taylor Griffin as the top pick in the team’s third annual player draft, just days before his younger brother, and Sooners teammate, Blake Griffin is expected to become the number one overall selection of the upcoming NBA Draft on June 25.”

NBA.com has put together a consensus mock draft using all of the most reputable sites: OKC is taking either Hasheem Thabeet or Ricky Rubio (tie). James Harden goes fifth the Washington.

Scott Howard-Cooper with info on the Grizzlies situation: “The growing league-wide sentiment is that the Grizzlies won’t select Rubio, but by their own choice rather than being scared off. Adding size is simply more pressing and Conley still has promise. Trading out of the spot is possible. If not, Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet is the logical choice. “That’s who they’re taking,” a rival personnel boss said. “The rest is smoke. Bet on it.” Keep Reading…

Draftbusters: What makes up a bust and who is likely to be one

by Royce Young on June 22, 2009 at 1:25 pm 26 Comments

Coming into a draft, there’s so much hope. Hope to land the next big thing. Hope to fill a major need. Hope to find that diamond in the rough. Hope that this player can turn it all around or maybe make a good thing better.

Every team has their picks and every team has the highest of hopes for the guy they take. But the inevitable happens every year. Players bust.

They don’t live up to their potential. They never contribute. They don’t find the success that they were supposed to. Like Ricky Barnes at Bethpage, they just fold.

The thing is, everybody has different definitions for bust. Maybe it’s a guy that was taken in the top 10 and never averaged more than 20 minutes a game in his NBA career (Kwame Brown) Maybe it’s a guy that came into the league with a ton of hype, had a fairly productive career but yet didn’t live up to the expectations placed on him (Joe Smith). Maybe it’s an international player that never makes it over the United States (Yotam Halperin, among many). Maybe it’s a talented guy that gets plagued by injuries and can’t produce (Michael Olowokandi). Or maybe even it’s just a nice college player taken in the late first round that never makes any kind contribution. It all just depends on how you look at the player.

Obviously, the highly regarded and highly drafted players that bust are the most visible. Those disappointments are unavoidably going to come up around this time of year. The Darko’s, the Robert Swift’s, the Michael Olowokandi’s. A guy like Andrea Bargnani is a nice NBA player but since he was the top pick in the 2006 draft, he could potentially be tagged as a bust. The expectations on the No. 1 overall guy are higher than anybody else. Really that’s true for any top five pick. They are supposed to be game changers. Guys that may need some grooming, but will surely have a positive impact on the team they are on. Keep Reading…

The first ever Daily Thunder MockTest

by Royce Young on June 22, 2009 at 12:24 pm 38 Comments

Who wants something free? Well, if you do then get ready to join the first ever Daily Thunder Mock Draft Contest. Basically, it’s simple:

Predict what happens with both the Thunder’s first and second pick. 10 points awarded for nailing the first, 15 for nailing the second. 5 points if the player is taken one spot (on either side) of your pick.

You can predict a trade, but don’t try and include players. But you do have to predict who OKC traded with. That counts as getting the pick correct. (Example: If you think OKC trades either it’s pick or the player they are drafting, just put “OKC trades third pick to Toronto.”)

Also, select ANY four other teams (except one can’t be the Clippers) and predict their FIRST ROUND pick (if the team has two in the first, just pick one and specify the number). Trade predictions still accepted. 10 points for nailing it, five for being within one on either side. Doesn’t matter what teams. I’d advise against Orlando though. They don’t have one.

Highest point total wins something wonderful (and gets acknowledged for being smarter than all of their Thunder peers). Maybe it’s a Chucky Atkins banner. Maybe it’s courtside season tickets. Maybe it’s Major League II on DVD. The only way to find out is to enter and win. Second place may or may not receive a congratulatory email from me. We’ll see how I feel that day.

Email your picks to royceyoung41@gmail.com. I promise I’ll be fair. Unless your last name is “Young” and you happen to be my wife. Then all bets are off.

Monday Bolts – 6.22.09

by Royce Young on June 22, 2009 at 8:00 am 51 Comments

thunderbolt2315 Finally, eh? Just four days until this madness is over and then we get to start the next round of it. Right now, there’s so much information, misinformation and whatever else circling around, it’s hard to keep up. So forgive me if I don’t. I think for this week, I’m going to keep the Bolts live, so check back for any potential additional updates throughout the day.

Nick Prevenas of NBADraft.net looking at if this draft is all-time bad: “This year’s draft pales in comparison. It’s highly unlikely that it’ll match last year’s draft in terms of quality depth, and it will have an impossible time measuring up against any of the other terrific drafts of this era (the Durant-Oden 2007, the Roy-Aldridge 2006, the Paul-Williams 2005, the Dwight Howard 2004, and of course the James-Melo-Wade class of 2003). Twenty years from now, hoops scholars will look on that six-year stretch as one of the most pivotal eras in NBA history. The amount of quality talent came into the league during that stretch boggles the mind. Surely, the league was due for a down year eventually, right? Well, it appears as if this is that down year.” I always laugh when people talk about how “bad” this draft is. How do we really know? There could be 10 All-Stars in this class. Sure, on paper it doesn’t look so wonderful but can’t we let guys play out their career or maybe at least just one game before we label this the worst draft ever?

Sean Deveney put prospects on the spot with that question – Is this draft weak?: “James Harden, Arizona State: ‘Weak? I don’t believe that. I think there are a lot of underrated players who could wind up in the bottom of the first round, a lot of good players who aren’t really talked about enough. What matters is whether the guys who get drafted produce when they get to the right team. You can’t judge a draft before it even happens.’”

Report: Rubio’s contract will be reduced: ”The prospect of drafting Ricky Rubio is about to become less risky. A source close to Rubio said the $6.6 million buyout of the Spanish point guard’s contract with his current team, DKV Joventut, was likely to be reduced Sunday or today to an amount where “he knows he’ll be able to make the payments.” Such a resolution will, in effect, clear a major obstacle for teams considering Rubio as their first pick in Thursday’s NBA draft but that have concerns about the financial albatross to which he has been tied.” Keep Reading…

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