Comments on: Wednesday Bolts – 3.18.09

By: Kev

Kev — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:22:04 +0000

Vega,

it is a lottery system, we have less of a chance if we keep winning, but we still have a slim chance regardless . . .

By: Vega

Vega — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:26:05 +0000

No way in heck that we lose enough to get the number one pick to get Griffin, and even if we go on a losing streak, Sacramento and Memphis are going to lose more.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:01:09 +0000

If Blake is as big as listed (same size as Al Horford), he could become our starting center, which is just as big of a need as a pure point guard. That’s why we take him over Rubio. He’s the better player, and just as big of a need.

By: Kev

Kev — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:38:29 +0000

that probably didnt come out right – Even though I prefer to have Rubio at the point (or Lawson, etc) , I think Blake adds more to the team than a pure point guard would . . .

By: Kev

Kev — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:36:34 +0000

I guess we have to agree to disagree –

I’d take Griffin over Rubio in a heartbeat, and I prefer a natural point over a “combo” guard . . .

By: Jax Raging Bile Duct

Jax Raging Bile Duct — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:30:51 +0000

I didn’t say we wouldn’t make Green a 6th man, just that I doubt there are plans to do so.

It goes back to the same opinion I had on our larger thread earlier, about drafting Griffin. I don’t think Griffin is a big need for this team because we have Green. It would be an upgrade, yes. But not as big of an upgrade as Rubio running the point.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:27:14 +0000

Very good point, Kev. We can talk about this player and this player at X position, but we can’t pretend that even when healthy that this is a championship team yet. Ultimately, the Thunder can’t afford to pass on a better player simply because someone else is entrenched at that position. Has Thabo had a great impact on the team? Yes. Would I pass on Harden if he was available after the first two picks? No. Is Green currently a core member of the team? Yes. Would I pass on an all-star PF because of him? No.

That’s really the case for all our players besides Durant. And in Durant’s case, it’s simply because the very very few SFs better than him would never be traded. This team has a good thing going, but good thing and contending team are very different. We need to be honest with ourselves that a number of the players that we may like on this team will not be around when we are annually making a run in the playoffs, and that everyone is on the block if it makes us a better team.

By: Kev

Kev — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:13:19 +0000

The team is good right now – but you can’t say that so and so cant be a 6th man – Green would be a good 6th man if a (very good) post player came along . . . no one is a bigger Thabo fan than me, but ideally he’s a 6th – 7th man (until he improves his outside shooting) . . .

By: Nix

Nix — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:09:49 +0000

Jeff Green reminds me of Lamar Odom with better range…He just needs to develop his post moves (which odly enough was his focus in college)….

By: Jax Raging Bile Duct

Jax Raging Bile Duct — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:59:52 +0000

If we’re looking to bolster our bench, I see us trading down. I still think we’ll fall into the top 6, and you don’t use a top 6 pick as a bench acquisition.

I really doubt there are any plans to make Green a 6th man.

I think there is no way in heck we draft a guy like Monroe. Presti’s history has proven that if you don’t play defense, he’s not interested. His history also shows that he’s willing to draft on pure athleticism, than to draft a non-athlete with skills (see the Westbrook and Ibaka picks).

Defense and rebounds and athleticism are the three things that most easily translate from the college game to the pros. Which is why I think we’ll still draft a conference defensive player of the year, or conference rebound leader.

Presti drafts hard workers too. The improvements Durant and Green have made indicate they’re willing to work harder than your average young player. If a guy like AI was available to draft, Presti wouldn’t do it, because he doesn’t love practice, and wouldn’t be the first one to arrive and the last to leave. Find that guy in the draft, the guy who wants to set up a cot in the gym and not go home, and he’s the guy we’ll draft.