Help Needed! OKC who you want?
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
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PrintWell it's that time of year. The Draft approaches and as is fairly common across SBN... we are doing Mock Drafts. Over at Blazer'sEdge, I have drawn the task of selecting for OKC. Now being a archrival (at least formerly) I have a pretty decent idea of your team and where they have strengths and weaknesses. I could make my pick I think pretty accurately on my own, however, that is only an outsiders view. So if you don't mind, help me out here...
Who are the top 5 players you want in this draft at #3? Who do you want at #25?
And most importantly what are the things you need the most to complete your team. I know your record was god awful, but I think OKC is ready to make a leap into the 30 wins next year and into the upper 40s in 2 years if they play their cards right. I have great respect for Presti and I am sure he knows what he is doing.
If you were to trade the 3rd pick, what would you look for? I know thats like 5 things to ask, but I have heard OKC is looking to move their pick and I want to cover all my bases.
Thanks for your help, and if you have any Blazer q I will be glad to answer..
(EDIT: ADDED A POLL)
This post does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of Welcome to Loud City or SB Nation. However, it was made by one of the members of the Welcome to Loud City community, so there is a large chance the above post is extremely ballin'!
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At 3, assuming Blake Griffin is gone,
1. Ricky Rubio
2. Stephen Curry
3. James Harden.
This is the order in my head as of right now, but, to be honest, I’m not at all certain about it and the order shifts around constantly. I would be perfectly happy with any of these three. Regarding a trade, I wouldn’t be opposed to moving down a slot or two, trading with the Kings or the Wiz. I wouldn’t want to trade so far down as to put the team out of range of drafting one of the above three, but since the three are grouped so tightly, a trade might be wise to save a little money and get a little somethin’ somethin’ on the side.
at 25:
1. DeJuan Blair
2. James Johnson
3. Ty Lawson
4. Terrence Williams
5. Tyler Hansborough
6. Nick Calathes
I’m guessing my 1-5 aren’t going to be available here and the OKC go with Calathes or trade out of this pick. Calathes has a very good chance to develop into a solid backup point and whatever team picks him would save some cap space because Calathes has already committed to play in Greece next year. There was talk that Detroit is looking to clear cap space to sign Ben Gordon by jettisoning Amir Johnson and the #14 for the #25 and cash. That’s a pretty spectacular coup for Presti if he pulls it off, but thinking it over I don’t think it changes much about what I want out of the second pick.
Team needs: really, everything kind of hinges on what happens with that third pick. If it’s Rubio, then RW moves over to the 2. If it’s Harden, Presti is sticking with RW at point. If it’s Curry, then the Thunder would be running a two combo-guard backcourt, one a larger athletic slasher/scorer with incredible speed and raw but developing point skills, and the other a dead-eye spot-up shooter who plays equally well with the rock as without.
As it stands now, this team’s core is a 1/2 tweener, a natural 3 superstar, and a 3/4 tweener. The position flexibility of Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook provides for a number of potential ways to fill out the roster.
For me
I want Thabeet with the 3rd, then Harden, then Rubio. With the 25th I’d say Sam Young, or Austin Daye(if he falls that far), Psycho T would be a decent pick here too. Please keep BJ “Stiff” Mullens as far away from loud city as possible, we already have one (Robert Swift).
No brainer to me
I say we take Thabeet and the terrance willams. We might have to move up a few spots to get him but thats ok. Remember folks defense wins championships offense wins regular season. Durant, Westbrook and Green can provide the offense and Thabeet and Williams can both be great defenders. That team could take us to the finals in the next few years. Plus we have some good bench players coming in, I am really excited about this Ibaka kid.
Wood
Interesting
hope more people chime in so it makes this easier…
personally, I think Harden is going to be a Adam Morrison level bust.. and Thabeet is just less explosive dalembert.
So suffice to say you are all in agreement that SG and C are your biggest needs? I would have thought Krstic was good enough at C and you would want a backup PF at #25 to rotate with Green, Krstic and Collison (who i love..)
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 3:40 PM CDT reply actions
Collison is a good player, but I wonder whether he fits into the OKC timeline.
He’d be a really good piece on a contender but he’s kind of wasting away his prime on OKC. I know a lot of GMs really covet him (as they should) so I see him as more valuable as a trade chip. Krstic was a great addition, but he’s not a great shotblocker/rebounder. Thunder need an interior anchor on defense and on the glass, someone who loves to bang. I’ve been advocating for a while now that Presti make a strong run at Gortat. I don’t care at all for Thabeet. I’d take Blair over Thabeet.
Backcourt shooting is the team’s greatest need able to be filled by the draft, hence all the talk about Curry and Harden. I’m maybe a little bit higher on Curry than Harden, not because Curry has a higher ceiling (I think Harden’s ceiling is higher than most others do), but because I think he’s slighly more likely to reach that ceiling. Rubio I want pretty much purely for selfish/entertainment reasons, though I think a strong argument could be made for keeping him if he’s there.
well you know how I feel..
I think Thabeet is a great draft pick for someone in the teens.. and I had the 10th pick I wouldnt take James Harden.
i think Stephen Curry would actually be a good fit alongside westbrook as long as they let Westbrook guard the 2s..
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions
So clear even a guy in Portland can see
that Harden is not the answer here. Which is what I have been saying all along. We have a roster full of guys just like him minus the shooting. We have one center that cares more about his tattoos then crashing the boards and two PF busting thier undersized asses to make up for it. Granted Krstic is 7 foot but we all know he is soft and fits the classic european big man mold of liking to drift. Thabeet got pushed around by smaller players. But lower height doesnt necessarily mean smaller player. Draft him on potential alone. At this point thats all anyone is being drafted on. Dikembe was just tall and skinny when he came into the league and look how he turned out. You know what fixes poor shooting, because lets face it, one guy isnt going to change our whole teams shooting woes? Offensive rebounding. Thabeet is not only the best center in this draft but he is the only center in this draft. Why is this so hard to understand for so many people. I hate to resort to dissing on someone to get my point across, but do you really think a former fat kid with asthma is the answer? I know everyone is scared to draft a center given our recent busts in that department. But Thabeet is not some white kid out of HS or some unknown out of Africa. He is a proven talent at the collegiate level. The end.
Ever think there might be a reason you're in the minority?
We have a roster full of guys just like him minus the shooting.
Then they’re not just like him, are they? We need a shooting guard that can shoot. Harden is miles ahead of Thabeet when it comes to being ready for the NBA.
But Thabeet is not some white kid out of HS or some unknown out of Africa. He is a proven talent at the collegiate level.
I’m pretty sure he is from Africa. Also pretty sure he just started playing basketball so he could get could get out of Africa. What does that equal? Someone that lacks desire to excel at the sport. It’s a story that plays over and over with these big men.It’s not just this franchises recent busts, it’s a history of big men who are busts. What did he prove to me at the collegiate level? That he’s weak and can get pushed around. If you think DeJuan Blair had his way with him, wait until he’s playing against NBA vets.
With Thabeet’s bust potential, Harden is much closer to a sure bet with such a high draft pick. And if we’re going to have to wait around for him to develop, why not just wait a year and take a center then?
by ElectricPencils on Jun 20, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Yet another warning sign...
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—Hasheem Thabeet has canceled a pre-draft workout with the Grizzlies because of a shoulder injury.
The Grizzlies didn’t immediately say whether they would reschedule Sunday’s session for later in the week.
Some draft projections have the 7-foot-3 center out of Connecticut going to Memphis with the second pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. Thabeet has already had two meetings with team officials.
Thabeet averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks (second in the nation) for the Huskies last season, when he was co-Big East player of the year.
A number of projections have him going to the Grizzlies with the No. 2 pick, others have Memphis taking Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to take Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin at No. 1.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 21, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I think out of the top 10 players in this years draft
the highest bust rates belong to Thabeet and Harden.. thats why this is hard for me. In reality, I can’t say I wish you guys any luck.. the last thing we need is another challenger! :)
but in this exercise I am trying to pretend I am Presti and do what I think is right.. I cant imagine either of these two players is worth their selection.
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 21, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
You must not know what unknown means.....
I said an unknown out of Africa….I think Thabeet is very well known despite being out of Africa….Then you go on to make my point for me in your next post. Those are pretty solid numbers for a no offense bust who oh yeah played in the Big East which is usually a weak conference right? a conference he was co player of the year in.
As for Harden the dude aint no Ray Allen. I love how you disregard every other point i made and chose to not make any point yourself. Last I checked Blair is pretty well thought of too. One decent shooter is not going to make that much of an impact for the Thunder. A guy blocking 4 shots a game and pulling down 10 boards will have a cosiderable impact. Thabeets lack of offense will actually be a good thing on a team with three stud scorers already. Just cause some is good doesnt mean more is better.
And all this is assuming Memphis doesnt take him. Of course if he is gone get Harden or Curry. Im not knocking them. just saying Thabeet is a better fit for what we need.
Also I’m pretty sure there are any of a dozen players in this draft that would provide the same things Harden would for this Thunder team. And quite a few could be had with our later pick. Not to mention the abundance of centers to pick up in Free Agency right? oh yeah there is one. i dont know. cant change your mind obviously i just hope presti doesnt think like you. but he has done very well thus far so i would assume he does not
I don't care
if you’re in love with skinny 7-footers.
As I said, you’re clearly in the minority.
The scouting report on Harden speaks for itself.
And if Presti’s done so well drafting big men, why do we need Thabeet?
by ElectricPencils on Jun 23, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Collison doesn’t get enough love around here. Maybe its his disapproval of the move, maybe his lack of flash. I would be happy to give him a shot at four, with Durant and Green moving to 2 and 3. That aside, I love his attitude and desire to bang. Would love to see him throw on another 10-20 for power but that aint gonna happen this late in the game.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
I will avoid "the move" talk
but collison is a great player.. i would love to have him on the Blazers as a backup to Aldridge. but OKC and Portland arent going to be trading anything anytime soon.
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
That is the truth.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
by blackvanilla on Jun 19, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions
As much as a trade would make sense
I expect to be battling OKC in the near future every year and you dont help the enemy
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Definitely
Harden at #3. Or Curry.
And then a combo player like Jrue Holiday or Chase Budinger with the 25th. Or Blair if he’s there.
Under no circumstances, do I want Thabeet or Mullens.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 19, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions
I think holiday and blair are long gone in this scenario
top 15…
at 25 maybe budinger, maybe not even mullins
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
the 3rd pick
thunder is looking at harden, thabeet and curry.
right now i would put harden on top of the list, followed by curry and thabbet.
thabeet has a huge upside.but the guy was not consistent at uconn, has no offense, cannot defend 1on 1 and gets out muscled by smaller and stronger players. so he could be an allstar or a huge bust.
curry is almost perfect. great shooter. has a relatively good upside. thabo can mentor him to play defense. good fit on the floor with westbrook. can provide energy off bench. kinda like a jason terry mold. lacks ideal size though.
harden is the best fit bcoz he has all the physical tools required. addresses thunder need. has ability to create his own shot. relatively good passer. has good basketball iq and sees the floor well. is a beast in transition. still developing his ability to drive to the lane. sometimes gets dull on the floor when things not going his way.but all and all a very good player which fits the ‘presti mold’ and a relatively safe pick.
wow thats a first
jason terry and james harden? can you explain? I am definately curious now
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
harden
harden is not a jason terry type of player but curry is.think about it. if curry is drafted by thunder i dont see him starting in place of thabo atleast not immediately. so what he instead can do is be on the bench in the beginning of season and later increase the playing time. he can come off the bench and provide the scoring touch and also provide intensity and energy. in the mean time if he progresses well and learns to play solid defense with help of thabo and coaches and add dribble penetration to his repertoire, he is gonna be off the chain. we already know he is an amazing spot up shooter.
oh i see.. i read that wrong..
yes curry could be a jason terry type player for sure. Would you take a Jason Terry with the #3 pick?
I could see him, Evans or Rubio at #3.. no one else really..
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions
how do you guys feel about Tyreke Evans with the #3 pick???
he can dribble and pass and has a gorgeous shot… all the things that Westbrook doesnt have.. and since they are interchangeable, westy can provide the D, the rebounding and the fast breaks..
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions
I wouldn't take
Evans with the #3.
If Harden’s gone that means that Rubio and Thabeet are still there and I could use them as trade bait.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 19, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions
Harden wont be gone
dont worry… Rubio might still be there. would you take him over Harden?
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
No
Rubio would only be trade bait. If we could trade that pick and still get Harden or Curry, that’s optimal.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 19, 2009 5:14 PM CDT reply actions
ok.. dont you think with a running offense like yours
that Harden would really hurt your flow? I’m just asking because I eventually see OKC going to a more PHX suns style. You are just LOADED with athletes.
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Harden’s speed numbers at the combine ( or whatever its called) were pretty impressive, right up there with all the guys who were thought of as the fastest.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
by blackvanilla on Jun 20, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
Harden pretty much dismissed questions about his athleticism at the combine.
Plus he’s known as a character guy.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 20, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions
thats good
he doesnt play that speed tho.. he is an excellent finisher at the rim.. kind of like a short zach randolph.. cant figure out how it doesnt get blocked but it goes in
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 20, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
He does look relatively pudgy. Maybe that is where some of the unathletic talk is coming from ( his ten percent body fat ).
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain
by blackvanilla on Jun 20, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
that and while he has a nice vert
if you have ever seen him play, he NEVER uses it. I mean I suppose the kid is quick and can jump, but you would never know that watching him play. I live in PAC-10 country so I got to see him quite a bit
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 21, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
My top 5 and questions to you
1. Hasheem Thabeet- My personal favorite, but he has bust potential. Very hit or miss
2. James Harden- You may think he’ll be a bust, but I think his floor is not bad, somewhere in the 10, 4, and 4 range.
3. Ricky Rubio- I’m not sure how he would fit. Granted, I don’t see Russell Westbrook as a true point guard, but if Rubio is available at 3, take him and try to trade him. If all else fails, you wind up with a spectacular point guard
4. Tyreke Evans- A suspect defender, but he can really run
5. Jordan Hill- I don’t know why they would pick him here, but he is the 5th best option at this spot, just based on need.
I don’t see OKC moving their pick, but I may just be ignorant
My question is what young players on the Blazers are they willing to talk about in trades (Bayless, Rodriguez, Fernandez, Frye, Batum?) You are lucky they do not have a rule 5 draft in the NBA so the Blazers could not stockpile young talent like that. Also, are you guys still lucking for upgrades at the SF and PG positions? I have heard they are seeking an upgrade at the point, so that means they consider Bayless a SG?
Check out nickandroll.blogspot.com
thanks for the update
im gonna add a poll so i can keep track of your selections..
As for your questions… I think the Blazers are going to let Frye walk. If we want to swing a Free Agent we cant have his restricted contract as such a huge cap hold. We are looking for upgrades at 1 and 3 yes. Although SOME people believe we have found our future 3, he just isnt quite there yet in Batum. While bayless is a PG, he hasnt shown enough yet to give him the reigns. If we trade Blake and keep Bayless, you can be sure that we envision him taking over in the future. I think Rudy is probably untouchable, but if the right offer came along that probably disappears. I would say they are available in this order.
MOST
Rodriguez
Bayless
Fernandez
Batum
LEAST
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 19, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
good post...
A guy thats starting to grow on me a little bit is Tyreke Evans. He’s a good ball handler giving the team flexibility at the PG position, the only problem is his shot is horrible. Not only did he shoot a terrible percentage, he has a funky motion which makes it worse. My only question is how does he play off the ball, he can play the slasher role on this team and he’s long and athletic enough to defend SG’s not named Kobe(lets be real no one can stop this guy). I think a trade down a little bit, pick up a future pick or a C prospect(if the Wizards deal somehow comes back) and take him.
At 25, I’d take the best player available, this is a pretty weak draft, if a guy stands out to you more than others after pick 18 or so, grab him and if its not at a need position you can always trade him. Sam Young, Terrence Williams, DaJuan Summers, Ellington, Hansborough, are all guys that should be available. If it was me I’d go Sam Young, he’d be the perfect 6th man to bring off the bench, can bring him in at SF or PF and he’s going to produce.
sam young will be a SG/SF
but I see what your saying.
what would you want to get it drop from 3-5?
by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 20, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Cant see...
Sam Young as a PF…he may be able to play the 2 a little though
Check out nickandroll.blogspot.com
my bad...
I was thinking of DaJuan Summers when talking about playing PF, but yeah SG/SF for Sam Young, he’d be a great pick up.
The rumored Wizards deal: #3 for #5 and McGee is what I’d look at. Both sides have disputed the rumor, but there probably were discussions, if Presti would pull it off I think Evans is still there at 5 and it’d solve immediate needs at SG and C, and picking up Young/Williams/whoever would add depth.
nah
I like Jamison but he really doesn’t fit in with the plans. He’s almost 32 also. I think Green could develop into a similar type of player as Jamison though.
Green is 23 and just starting to scratch the surface of what he can do in the league. Last off-season he went in thinking he was gonna be playing SF, occasional play some PF but mostly be at the 3. That was PJ’s plan. However, now that he knows that he is going to play PF alongside KD at the 3 he can work on his game and improving and becoming a better PF.
Good comparison
Green does have a similar game to Jamison except 9 yrs younger. Green needs to seriously hit the weight room to play PF though. He’s got a decent post up game, passes great & just plays good team ball- just undersized (right now). I don’t agree with anyone justifying he’s the sixth man. You don’t trade Ray Allen for the 5th pick for a 6th man. He can get to Jamison’s size and play PF and needs to because Durant needs to be at SF, his ideal position.
Anyone hear of Jeff Green’s offseason program? What’s he working on?
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
he's already the same size
…at least according to their profiles both are 6-9 235. I think he really just needs to focus on playing the PF position, after he moved to PF position he got better every month, at least it seemed as if he got much more comfortable. I think an entire off-season dedicating himself to learning the position will help a ton.
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