Friday Bolts – 6.27.14
: “Now, will he become Collison 2.0? Or will he be another Cole Aldrich? Every Presti move on draft night isn’t gold, after all. He didn’t get a spot-up shooter that this team could so desperately use. Derek Fisher is gone. Thabo Sefolosha and Caron Butler seem sure to follow. And that leaves Jeremy Lamb and … crickets. Another guy who can fill it up from outside would’ve been good. Maybe that guy is coming in free agency. Maybe a trade is already in the works. But the draft is where the Thunder has built, where it has established its core as well as its complementary parts, where it has acquired other pieces like future picks that could be packaged later. The draft is where Sam Presti has been at his best. But maybe he was again Thursday night.”
Chad Ford gives OKC a B-: “Didn’t the Thunder have this draft last year when they drafted Steven Adams and Andre Roberson? Adams was the big, athletic center with the high motor. Roberson was the scrappy defender and rebounder who was undersized for his position? They must have loved that draft so much they decided to do it again! I like McGary. He was probably a bit underrated. The Hornets wanted him badly and were trying to get up to 22 to get him. If his back is OK, he’s a good pick here. And I get Huestis, he’s tough, plays defense and will fit in. I just wonder why they had to draft the same two guys again.”
Zach Harper of CBSSports.com gives OKC a C+: “If McGary’s back is sound, he’ll be a fantastic pickup for the Thunder. He’s big, mobile and he can kill opponents in the pick-and-roll. He wouldn’t do a physical for teams, but he might have shut that down with a promise from the Thunder and not because he’s structurally unsound. Huestis at 29 is a complete reach, in my opinion. He’s a very good defensive wing, but he can’t shoot and they have three small forwards ahead of him. Christon is a very interesting pick for them. Early in the college season, he was sniffing around the first round. He’s a backup point guard with a great feel for running a team.”
My favorite tweet I got last night: “what a freaking wasted pick. Another year without a trophy if #prestie doesn’t make some #SMART moves. #beaGM”
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com: “For years we were sold on the potential of this draft, and now that it’s over it’s still about potential. That’s what happens when teams place a greater premium on upside and combine measurables than basketball experience. The first nine picks had an average age of 19 and consisted of six freshmen, two sophomores and the Australian, Exum, who didn’t go to college in the United States. Doug McDermott, a senior who was the NCAA player of the year, went No. 11. Wichita State’s Cleanthony Early, the best player on the best college team in the regular season, wasn’t selected until the second round. It’s obvious why Adam Silver has made raising the minimum entry age a priority. Otherwise these NBA general managers can’t help themselves.”
Darnell Mayberry: “But before we get too emotional, let’s all remember that the Thunder’s front office knows 100 times more info than we do. Who knows if McGary would have been there are 29. So be careful to not overreact too much. As for McGary, I think he’s a heck of a player. He could slide in nicely someday. He’s got good athleticism and skills for a player his size. Good passer. Great rebounder. Fantastic hustler. Terrific competitor. Hard worker. Quick learner. Tough as nails. You’ll love him, OKC.”