DT Mailbag: New jerseys?

With the Bobcats unveiling their new uniforms, and most NBA teams having three jerseys, I was wondering if you have heard anything about the Thunder potentially getting a third jersey or maybe tweaking their current away jerseys or home jerseys to improve them? A new orange third jersey would be amazing. Or making the “Oklahoma City” on the away to say “OKC” would be sweet. — Matthew R.

I get asked about new alternate uniforms a lot. And I agree — it’s time. However, I’ve had conversations with Thunder people about it and was told that it’s a league thing. The Thunder can’t make alternate uniforms until the league feels they’ve “sufficiently established the brand.”

When is that? No idea. That’s for Papa Stern to decide I guess. It does seem like the Thunder should be closing in on whatever branding specifications there are though. Kevin Durant’s jersey is consistently a top seller, the Thunder logo and uniform is being used in a lot of national commercials, they were on the biggest stage there is in the league and this will be their fifth season in OKC.

So, what kind of alternate would be good? The Thunder have like 14 different colors, so picking one of those would basically establish a third primary color. I’m not a big fan of  going with yellow jerseys, partly because of the Sonic connection to that. And I’m not a big fan of going with the orange/red color because it really kind of looks orange no matter what, and you know a certain portion of the fanbase would be ridiculous about that and make an annoyingly big deal about the Thunder having orange uniforms when they’re supposedly “uniting” everyone.

I don’t really have a favorite idea for a third uniform, but a charcoal gray or black doesn’t sound all bad to me. I really kind of like this black Adidas jersey. A little more of a refined, professional tweak on that could look really good. And I’m a very big fan of putting “OKC” across the chest. I think that should almost go without saying for an alternate jersey.

Most offseason fodder centers around potential player acquisitions. However, the main source of the Thunder’s improvement from year to year has been player development. Give us one player and what skill they need to most develop for the Thunder to continue their year to year upward trend. — Dustin T.

Well, that’s a very specific and difficult question to answer. Because you really couldn’t go wrong with a lot of stuff. KD continuing to refine his ball-handling and distribution. Russell Westbrook working on his postgame a bit more. Serge Ibaka back-to-the-basket scoring. Thabo’s 3-point shooting. Perk’s offensive ability in general. Nick Collison’s pick-and-pop game. Cole Aldrich in the post. And on and on.

But if I’m picking one thing I’d really like to see, I’m going to say James Harden’s mid-range game. It seems that Harden mostly plays behind the 3-point line or in the paint. And he’s turning down quality opportunities from 15-20 feet. The reason, is because it’s seen as “settling” when you don’t attack, but building more of a mid-range jumpshooting game will only make his driving ability more of a threat. Put that thought of a deadly pull-up in a defender’s mind, and that makes him more dangerous attacking the rim.

TRADE!! Harden, Perkins and Sefolosha AND get Paul Gasol. He is huge in the middle. He was the main reason Lakers twice repeated as champions! Not Kobe. Oklahoma would truly be unstoppable.  Tell me if i am wrong ;) — Joey H.

You’re wrong.

…

OK, fine. Here’s why: Because that’s a terrible trade. There are very few players in the league James Harden is worth dealing over. Plus, adding Gasol means you add his massive contract, and it doesn’t solve anything for the Thunder in that regard. Honestly, in about 50 different ways, this trade would be terrible.

It bears repeating: This Thunder team, one that’s on average something like 26 years old, very, very nearly won an NBA title. I don’t think a drastic move would be wise. As I’ve said before, speculation and trade discussions are part of what make the NBA fun. Thinking about how this piece would match there, or that piece would match here. It’s enjoyable to postulate about trades and wonder how it might impact the team.

But this isn’t NBA 2K12. These are real players with real chemistry and real impacts. Make a bold move that doesn’t work out on NBA 2K12? Oh well, do another one, or just start over with a different team. Make a bold move in the real NBA that doesn’t work out? You will be starting over with a different team, and not intentionally.

Who do you think is the best possible player the Thunder would be able to get in the draft? What do you think they need to draft? — Austin M.

Royce! Draft Royce!

Is Jeff Green a free agent option for the Thunder? — David P.

This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten this question. Nor will it be the last. People still love Uncle Jeff.

He’s a free agent and while he honestly fits what the Thunder need extremely well, I don’t think Green would be fine taking a huge paycut just to play with his friends again. Plus, the Thunder aren’t exactly in a position to be signing free agents right now, as re-signing their own players is the priority. Signing Green to even a three-year $20 million deal (which is probably far below what he wants) hurts OKC’s long-term plan.

So in summary: Stop asking this question people.

What is going to happen to D. Fish next year? — @L_Dean08

I really think the Thunder would love to have him back. And I think he would love to be back. But logistically, it doesn’t make much sense. Fisher still probably wants to play real rotation minutes and with Eric Maynor being back, the Thunder don’t have as much need for him.

I just can’t see a reason to keep him. It’s a shame too, because I do think Fisher had a pretty significant impact on OKC’s young players. It was obvious that they REALLY respected him and what he had to say. But on the floor, Maynor helps the Thunder a whole lot more, and that’s what matters.

Hi I am a young 20 yr old that lives in Texas. I love basketball, my teams are thunder and mavs (yesi know sorry, lol)… And im in love with kevin durant!!!! My birthday is August 4, and I would do anything to have ONE night with kevin durant…. Ill pay him or anything, but once he seen how cute I am, money wouldnt b a concern;) please help and let me know. — [Name redacted]

Yes, that’s a real email I received.

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