"We can’t let emotion drive our decisions," Presti said Monday. "We haven’t done that in the past in times of adversity and I don’t foresee us letting that happen this summer coming off a season where we’ve had a step in the right direction.
"That’s not to say we think we’ve got the perfect mix or the perfect blend. We’re certainly not in a position to say that but we just have to be diligent with what we’re trying to do going forward."
Presti didn’t rule out pursuing free agents but said he’s focused on "building a team that we feel like can grow together and last."
about 2 years ago
Zorgon
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Sam Presti might not be looking to persue free agents....
I can understand that, but if he doesn’t try for Bosh, I’ll be a disappointed man.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Ironically
If he DOES try for Bosh, I’ll be a disappointed man.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I’m with EP on this one and these comments tell me we arent going after him.
by Michael Gleich on May 4, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
If he signs Bosh for a Thabo-like contract I'd be happy.
Something like 40M for 4 years.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
I don't understand, really....
Why would you NOT want one of the top 10 big men in the NBA on your team? They’ll find a way to have him fit in if he does come, but it’s probably not going to happen, so I guess it’s pointless to argue. Still, at the end of the day, we’d be a much better team with him at center.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Ask me if I'd want Kobe or Lebron on my team...
Nevermind, I’ll just tell you.
No, I wouldn’t want them either.
Does Bosh score points? Sure.
Does he get rebounds? Yeah.
Do I think he plays good defense? No.
Do I think he’s a “team first” guy? No.
I think he’s the best player on a bad team and that’s why his points and boards are as high has they are. I’ve never heard anyone call him a clutch player. I’ve never heard of anyone talking about Bosh “taking over” a game. And while his points have gone up, his blocks have gone down, which goes to my point about defense.
He strikes me as a selfish, me-first player who has put up numbers because no one else is there to do it.
But in the words of Dennis Miller, “That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.”
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know anything about his attitude, but....
His defense is certainly a lot better than that of Nenad Krstic or of Nick Collison. It’s not that the other two don’t try, but Bosh is more athletic, and thus able to jump up for a block. He also seems to have longer arms, making it harder to shoot over him. In the end, I see Krstic and Collison getting dunked on a lot. Bosh? Not so much.
And I really wouldn’t want him to be clutch or take over a game. He’s pretty much going to be a second or third wheel if he comes here, and big men usually aren’t called on in clutch situations.
Again, I can’t answer the attitude question, because I don’t really know. But, honestly, if the Thunder are afraid of drafting Bosh because he has an attitude problem, you’re pretty much going to have to also count out over half the NBA.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
attitude isn’t the question, it comes down to money and fit. okc can offer money but they also need to keep on eye on the future b/c KD, Russ, and others will be up for extensions very soon.
Well...
One, I would count out half the NBA. I think Presti has, too. I think attitude counts for a lot, which brings me to your second point, Bosh doesn’t want to be a second or third option, so he screws up team chemistry.
Why would I pay a max contract for a guy who, in your words, would be a second or third option who, also in your words, wouldn’t even be expected to come through in clutch situations?
Because I don’t like Bosh doesn’t mean I think Krstic is a better option. He’s not. Go read my comments in pretty much any game thread. Nenad is the one player I’m openly in favor of ditching. Collison is a different story. I think he’ll end his career in OKC and I’m fine with that. Why? Attitude. He’s a hard worker. He plays team first. He puts his body on the line every time he takes the court.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Bosh is a bit different from
Kobe or Lebron, but it boils down to: for what sort of money? It would take a lot to pass on Lebron. It’d be hard to pass on Kobe if the contract wasn’t an albatross long-term. Bosh — it’s just a question of where he fits in.
Collison is interesting to keep around, but not for the type of money he’s making. You could bring in half a dozen similar players with similar skillsets for much less. He’s valuable, but not at his contract. That’s what it really all boils down to — is Bosh worth a max contract? I’d have to say “no” … but it might still be the smart play to make.
I don’t think Presti wants to add another alpha-dog to this team.
the other thing is luxury tax. adding Bosh means you will likely have 2, maybe even 3 max guys on this team(the way Russ continues to improve). There are a lot of guys that will need extensions coming soon, KD, Russ, Ibaka, Green, Harden, Maynor. Bosh would make up 1/3 of the payroll the minute he signs. Presti basically said Bennett is willing to spend but I don’t think he means that in terms of going out and buying FA’s and making crazy trades to bring in “the missing guy.” I think Bennett is more than willing to spend to extend these guys and which ever guys they draft this year. The plan has been to build from within and around the core of KD, Green, Russ. They are slowly adding more and more to that and have gotten some great pieces around them. The plan is to add guys that can grown WITH the core.
Bosh is entering the prime of his career. The core of this team(KD, Green, Russ, Ibaka, Harden, Maynor) are not close to beginning that part of their career.
There are a couple of moves I’d like to see. Not sure Thabo is the long-term solution. Wouldn’t mind them pursuing Azabukie from GS, either through trade or if he opts out. He can defend, maybe not as well as Thabo but not a huge downgrade, and he’ll provide more scoring punch.
Also adding Kyle Korver as a shooter. The guy needs no room to shoot and he’d help stretch the floor in a big way for guys to slash into the lane.
I have a feeling Russy will be a max guy, too
As for Thabo, he seems like he’s gotten the message and is going to put the work in this summer to improve his offense. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until I see the end result.
Korver could be a nice guy to bring off the bench. I know he’s played limited minutes, but he doesn’t seem to rebound or get to the line much, though.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly
Russ is the 3rd guy that will likely get a max deal.
We’ll see with Thabo, I agree on letting him work on his game, but its something to explore. He improved a lot from last year to this year, which is saying quite a bit as to where he was offensively last year.
As for Korver, not every player is going to be a complete player. He’s a shooter. He’s not a slasher or rebounder/defender. His role would be as a shooter.
Something I've learned in Sim Leagues is that you have to be far, far over the soft cap in order to win championships.
We’re going to have about 8 Million to offer Bosh, so he won’t take up 1/3rd of our 50 or whatever million that we already have. All of the contending teams have over 70 Million dollar salaries (with the exception of the Hawks). So, if we have Durant at 14 Mil, Westbrook at 14 Mil, Green at 10 Mil, Bosh at 10 Mil (Salary increase after first year), that leaves us with 44 Million, and around 30 million to spend on the bench (who will all have to be resigned, sans Sefolosha). So I don’t think Bosh handcaps us financially in any way, shape, or form, SHOULD he decide to sign with us.
I know the idea is to add to the core and watch is grow, but can you give me one team that remained relatively unchanged for 5 years and was a consistent contender? The Mid 2000s Pistons are the only pure example I can think of. Even the Late 2000s Suns had pieces change here or there, and the recent Spurs have done the same. I can almost guarantee you that at least 2 of the “core” of Ibaka, Green, Westbrook, Harden, and Durant will be gone in 5 years. Sure, some things will stay the same, and it’s a good possibility that Durant and Westbrook could play together for a long time. But the surrounding players will always change, and we need more star players. It’s just a fact of life in the NBA. And if the Thunder seriously think that this roster, with no help but the draft, is going to win a Championship, then they’re living in a dream land that I’d like to go visit some time. I know I’m being a bit negative here, but all I’m saying is that trades, contract disputes, and FA signings are going to happen. Of course, we could become the big exception. I mean, who knows? I just don’t think it’s going to happen.
But, I’d love to see either Azubuike or Korver on the team.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Why would Bosh take 8-10 million here when Toronto can/will pay him 17 million?
I don’t think anyone thinks the roster is cemented as it is now. The Spurs core players were pretty much consistent.
And Presti has already shown he’ll make trades and sign players. Thabo, Krstic and Maynor are all guys we didn’t draft.
I’m a hopeless pessimist, and even I’m willing to ride out the “growing from within” concept until someone proves it won’t work.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
This team is at 40 mil right now, renouncing rights to Thomas/Harpring/Ollie, and depending on what happens with the draft that leaves this team with probably 13 mil to spend in FA.
If you think Bosh is coming here for 8 mil/year you need to hook me up with whatever it is you’re smoking.
He wants max money, to be the lead guy, and to be on a contender.
Eventually this team is going to have to spend, but the plan has been in place to let this core grow together. You need at least 2 all-stars to win a title. This team already has that in KD and Westbrook. You aren’t going to be able to field a team of a bunch of stars, especially in a small market like OKC.
Your point is based on Bosh signing for 8 mil. that means he’s willing to take a pay-cut of 50%. Again you’re living in a dream world. Not trying to be a prick but the reality is, he’s a max money FA and he’s going to get max money and be able to either join a great core(Chicago/NJ/LAC) or join a superstar talent(Wade/Johnson). Maybe at the end of this next contract he’ll take a pay-cut to sign somewhere and win a title, if he hasn’t done that yet, but he’s not going to take a 50% pay-cut to come to a team thats star players are nowhere near close to their primes, just as he is entering his own peak years.
Again this team is going to have to spend money eventually when it comes time for extensions and thats when they’ll go over the cap. No point in hampering yourself right now when you have your stars up for big money in a couple of years.
The stars of this team as of right now are KD and Westbrook. The Thunder need to focus on improving around those 2 and need to keep those 2 around as their building blocks. Chemistry IS going to play a factor. Chemistry is being underrated by Thunder fans, maybe b/c this team has such great chemistry, but it can tear a team apart. Great defensive teams almost always have great chemistry b/c the guys want to pick their guys up and have their backs. Right now the Thunder have GREAT complementary pieces around their 2 building blocks:
Green – IMO, he’s not he PF of the future if this team is winning titles. If he’s still on this team and they are winning titles, I think he’s likely coming off the bench as a 6th man, playing spot minutes at the PF but mostly backing up KD or coming in alongside KD(for Ibaka or the center).
Harden – depending on what happens with Thabo, or any other SG guards, and his own development, he’s either the starting SG of the future or a co-6th man with Green(he comes in for Thabo/other SG and Green comes in for Ibaka/center/KD). His perfect role is as a shooter, but he can also get into the lane and create and finish.
Ibaka – This guy needs to be around and looks like he’ll be the PF of the future. I think he’ll have some ups and downs the next couple of seasons, he only started playing organized ball about 3 years ago so he’s still learning the nuances of the game. He already a guy that can change a game on the defensive end and he’s developing a nice offensive game.
Maynor – not the starter and probably won’t be, but a good backup PG is very hard to find(ask Orlando about that) and this guy is a very good player right now. He doesn’t have a very high ceiling, IMO, but having him stick around a few years wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
The guys that are not part of the core IMO are Collison, Krstic, Thabo, White, Weaver, Mullens.
Other than KD/Westbrook(and depending on his improvement Ibaka) everyone else you take calls for. However, you have to let these guys play together a few years and at least let them develop some before you ship them out.
I never said he was GOING to come
But IF he did come for 8-10 Mil, you have to admit, it wouldn’t be a bad move. And I don’t think it’s going to happen. So, yes, you’re right there. But if Presti doesn’t even attempt an offer, just for the sake of trying, I think it’s a mistake.
And I agree that you wait to see how each person develops before you ship them out. I just don’t think that all of those core guys you mentioned are going to be here in 5 years. Maybe Green wants to go play starting SF for his hometown Wizards. Maybe we get an offer wen can’t refuse. Heck, maybe one becomes injury-prone and we elect not to resign him. You never know. I mean, I think we’ll be competing in a couple of years, sure. But with the same core that we have now? Not exactly the same. There’s bound to be a few trades in there. Not a very great or definite thesis, buty it was all I’m trying to say. But for the most part, I agree with what you said.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I've seen a few articles/columns
on Bosh’s Twitter posts asking his followers where he should go next year and how it’s nothing more than a “look at me!” type of move, since clearly, he’s not going to take the advice of Twitter followers when considering his next move.
If Presti wants to make offers to people that will 99% likely be rejected, then I say he should throw an offer at Chicago for Noah. I hated his attitude in college, but it seems he got his butt straightened out after his first hissy fit in Chicago.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
An offer to Noah would also be pretty awesome
I totally wouldn’t mind having him on the team. I’d like to see him and Serge Ibaka on the floor together, making forb the ultimate team of emotion.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manager of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Green + 1st + filler for Noah. I’d do that. I’m not a fan of moving Green but if you can get a legit, athletic 7-footer at center you have to do it. Especially one thats been able to produce at this level.
Presti is always dialed in to whats going on around the league, you can bet he’ll keep a close eye on the developments with those guys, if there’s a situation where we could land a David Lee for 7-8 mil/year, he’s going to definitely look into that option, maybe decides its not worth it but every option will be explored.
But nobody vacations in Oklahoma City!!!
I just had to say it.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
there will be trades and they’ll have to spend money but that doesn’t mean you HAVE to be a luxury tax team. The Spurs haven’t been, up until this season. The Nuggets decided to cut salary last year and not be a tax team and they had their best season in the Melo-era.
there’s also the looming new CBA with the addition of a hard-cap. thats going to change the dynamics of free agency in a big, big way and I doubt the owernship wants to have a ton of salary on the books and not know what the new CBA/cap system will be
That's the heart of the matter though
It’s like saying “What if Lebron was willing to sign for 1 million?” The probability of it happening are slim. It’s one thing to take a paycut to go to a contender — it’s another to take a paycut to go to a young contender in a smaller market and play as the 2nd or 3rd option. I’m not sure that’s going to sell OKC to Bosh. But … maybe?
The thing with Bosh
is that he IS a max-contract/alpha-dog player. You can build your team around him. This is a guy that was averaging 25 and 11 this season and he’s become a much more complete PF offensively and has made big strides in his rebounding/defense.
Yes he wants to win but why can’t he win and be the lead guy? He’s got the talent to be the lead guy on a title team. Why shouldn’t he want that. He took a lot of heat for it but thats like LeBron saying he wants to be the face of the franchise or Wade saying he doesn’t want to play with Bron b/c he wants to be the lead guy on the team. Whats wrong with wanting to win and be the main guy of the team?
Rose, blank/Hinrich, Deng, Bosh, Noah. With Miller, Gibson, Murray, and someone else on the bench. That team is likely at worst #4 in the East and more likely right there for #2.
They’d have to trade Hinrich, IMO, to reach true contender status. This sounds crazy but Joe Johnson could be had. Trade Hinrich and give them picks. The get a good player back, Crawford moves into the starting lineup, and you get draft picks back, plus they don’t lose JJ for nothing. Its crazy but entirely possible, remember Joe got traded to Atlanta for Boris Diaw and 2 draft picks.
Bosh is more than welcome to be the alpha-dog player
on some other team. I just don’t want him to be on mine.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah
thats my point.
don’t need 2 lead guys, already have our star.
J.A. Adande was tweeting
about Bosh going to the Lakers in a sign and trade for Bynum. Maybe we could make it a 3 way and get Bynum and send picks and Krstic to Toronto.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 10:06 PM CDT reply actions
Fair enough.
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by ElectricPencils on May 4, 2010 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
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