Comments on: Thursday Bolts – Gus Johnson Edition

By: Crow

Crow — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:20:17 +0000

If the starting lineup stays weak or just isn’t strong then Presti is going to have to win with his bench and his coach’s match-up skill.

By: Crow

Crow — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:16:51 +0000

I know it is real early but just sharing this oddity- the current starting lineup assembled by Presti and Brooks is the worst performing lineup that has played more than 50 minutes for the Thunder this season.

http://basketballvalue.com/teamunits.php?year=2008-2009&team=OKC

If they played 48 minutes they’d loss by 33. Well, based on the very small sample size of 90 minutes.

Based on 45 minutes, play that same lineup without Durant and they break even. Pull Green out of it too and based on 65 minutes they win by 15.

But Durant and Green are the cornerstones of Presti’s design.

I just find the early data and this clear intent out of sync. I know I keep saying it but I am still trying to figure out why or how it turns around.

By: Vega

Vega — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:53:56 +0000

I just realized that I never said what Washington would be willing to do. I meant that I think they would be willing to trade the first pick.

By: Vega

Vega — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:52:38 +0000

I was looking at the salaries of the worst teams, and the ideal team to get the first pick instead of us would be Washington. We would have to take some bad contracts, (Darius Songaila, Mike James.) but I think they would probably be willing to do it.

By: Crow

Crow — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:02:41 +0000

Doesn’t look like they have one but second rounders can usually be bought if they really wanted one, seeing an opportunity, willing to use a roster spot or potentially do so. The price has tended to be above $500,000 but this summer their value might be lower.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:40:51 +0000

@Joe Good point, Joe. I forgot we included the second rounder there. Second rounders shouldn't really be the focus of a team looking to trade or spend its way into the playoffs next year anyway. I was more addressing the anti-Pokes sentiment originally cast upon Anderson.

By: Vega

Vega — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:31:50 +0000

@Joe But who knows what sort of picks we could get in pre-draft trades. Kind of off topic, but does anyone think that we will be able to sign Pops Mensah-Bonsu? He would fit so well with the Thunder, and we sure have a better situation here than Toronto does.

By: Vega

Vega — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:27:59 +0000

@Keith I suppose, but I would prefer a big man prospect.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:27:13 +0000

I’m not sure we have a second rounder this year unless we got one in a previous deal. Our second rounder was traded in the Petro deal.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:18:36 +0000

@Vega With a second round pick, and assuming no other good talents fall, a role player is probably the best Presti could hope for. I'm not saying Anderson should or should not definitely be drafted, but he does fit the team's need for wing shooters who can defend. Don't take him just because he's from Oklahoma, but definitely take him if he's the best player and fit. Extra assets are always better than too few assets.