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even though Thabeet is vastly overrated, SOMEONE will take him before #7 . . .

I have no use for Rubio, other than as a piece in a trade. We have a couple capable PG's right now, who are going to be better suited for this team in at least the short term. I'd take Westbrook and Livingston in a system they both know, versus a 19 year old euro PG that would have to learn how to be the leader on the floor.

He does need to be in a certain draft position to justify moving to the NBA. Especially at his age, it makes more sense to play his contract out,get paid, then come over, get paid some more. The comment earlier from him about lpaying in a major city is laughable. Look at the Wizards (#21) Clippers(#22), The T-Wolves (#27)The Grizzlies (#29),and the Kings (#30) for attendance. The Thunder were 10th. Maybe there's less pressure to play in front of empty seats.

Thabeet is a mystery, in that there doesn't seem to be a great deal of 'move up and get Thabeet at the #3 spot'- talk. Makes me wonder if we couldn't trade our pick, acquire up a need player, then pick up Thabeet, at #7 or so. As much as he has done (Big East Def. POY x 2), normally somewhat proven 7-3 centers are primo acquisitions, but it just doesn't feel like he's got the juice behind that. But I would take him, but I'd rather have him at a lower pick...

Greeen should be encouraged to go to the rim or take the 3. He took 5+ 3 pt attemptsd about 20% of the time but only like twice after the all-star break. I'd bump that to 40% next season.

Durant was at 5+ 33 pt attempts 20% too. He probably should be at 60% of the time. Well... maybe not when he is cold.

If you aren't getting a lot of 3s from PG/SG then you have to pick up it up at forward.

That list I gave was big minutes and frequent shots. There are worse guys who play less or shot the mid-ranger less, as is the case with many bigs. So Green rates low because he has had the time and opportunity... to try to play like a shooting forward. He may have a bit more of a 3's size but his mid-range shot is a bit more like that of a non- shooting specialist or a typical PF.

@Crow
Very true...White will be able to fill that role nicely...Hopefully RW advances his decision making enough to pull that off.

Another alternative is DJ White. He might end up being better for that pick and pop, given Green is one of the weakest mid-range big minute guys in the league. 5th worst on this list
http://www.82games.com/0809/FGSORT7.HTM
With Green it should be pick and roll as he finishes well. Or pick and pop from 3 land.

@ATR
No No, it's all good...It's my fault I was trying to be positive and constructive but it's not really my place to say anything. I thought about just emailing that but didn't make the effort (because I do really like what Crow says).

@Crow
Trying to combine our last thread into this one.

I would be happy with a Jose Calderon for sure. I do agree that Rubio doesn't project to be quite as great of a scorer, but I do think his Assists will be pretty high when brought together with great scoring teammates.

Chris Paul is great in part because David West is money on the pick and pop, and Tyson Chandler will always convert the lob/dunk.

Green really needs to be that pick and pop guy for RW instead of Kristic having to come outside to be the one to do it.

"The Euroleague is not full of insane athletes like the NBA. Defense gets better, but so do your teammates."

Nix is right about that.

And that plays to Rubio's primary strength.

If he has the right kind of teammates.

Shooters. Or smart, active cutters. Hopefully a nice blend.

Somewhere it will play out the way it is going to play out.

Hey Nix, I should apologize for my post in the last thread. I got a little negative when I felt like you were criticizing Crow. I apologize for my reaction. I have read on and looks like you all squashed it, and that's pretty cool. I just hate to see anyone get too much criticism as we are all just people who are throwing out some opinions and really probably all on the same side as Thunder fan's. Hope everyone has a good Memorial Day!

@Nix
shouldnt that mean that we have a pretty accurate picture of how good Rubio is?

Crow posted this on yesterday's thread in case you missed it:

http://www.hoopsdaily.com/content/player-projectio...

It's Rubio's NBA projection, read the whole thing though. The writer gives Rubio a break because of small sample size and pretty much says he equates to a good point guard with plenty of room for improvement.

I think that's what you're going to get with him. A PG that needs time to develop, but for every time you knock the competition you have to knock his teammates. The Euroleague is not full of insane athletes like the NBA. Defense gets better, but so do your teammates.

@Crow
yea I think you're right. I wish I knew more about his agent. He seems insane (with all the Yi stuff that went down). Somebody has definitely done a great job creating a buzz about him whether that was his play or not.

"his appeal will be on a global scale"

best case scenario that might happen in 3-5 years

if you were a shoe company or other stuff do you really think he sells product in year 1 or 2? sketchy. Would have to spend a lot to market him... to try to get it back anytime soon. Did Nash sell that much product? Kidd? Paul? Parker I don't really know but I can't Rubio outselling them anytime soon. Invest now is pretty risky. I'd think you'd haver to be a playoff team winnning series to get tier 1 buzz. Does Rubio get much marketing money in Europe right now? Isn't it almost all about "football" players? i think the Rubio camp is trying to create a buzz and a money machine but I am not sure I'd buy big into it- until there is proof he can be a star in the NBA on a strong winning team.

@Kev
My bad...I completely forgot about Shaun...Trade accepted.

what's wrong with Livingston??

@Steve H
Who would play backup PG? Another rookie? That sounds like a risky plan...There were many times last year when Watson would come in and serve as a stabilizing force, calming everyone down and limiting TOs...As much as I came to dislike Watson, I think that's an important role to play on a team and I think we still will need a seasoned backup PG to play that role.

@Nix
I'm not saying the Thunder take B.Davis- I'm suggesting the Grizzlies could get Davis in a three way trade with Us and the Clippers. We get Griffin. Memphis gets Thabeet and Davis. Clipps get Rubio, Green, Watson and Atkins' expiring contracts.

Joe :
I’m curious. Does being from Spain (and speaking Spanish) automatically give Rubio that Latino kinship/fanship thing? Or is Spain/European Spanish equate differently than being from Mexico or Central or South America?
Do the Latino’s in Cali view a European Spaniard as being a Latino brother just because speaks spanish?

Last time I checked Yi was a nobody in Hong Kong. He doesn't really have much support in China neither...

Yep we got it good to be a first time NBA city.

Great ownership.....check

Smart GM.......check

Young stars......check

Flexability......check

Draft picks.......check

and might add young up and comming coach......check

I'm curious. Does being from Spain (and speaking Spanish) automatically give Rubio that Latino kinship/fanship thing? Or is Spain/European Spanish equate differently than being from Mexico or Central or South America?

Do the Latino's in Cali view a European Spaniard as being a Latino brother just because he speaks spanish?

@GAP

Nice article find GAP. I agree wholeheartedly. I wrote way back in the summer last year that the ownership group appeared to be very forthcoming in spending the cash needed to run a good organization. Even being one of only 3 NBA teams that actually purchased their D league team. First class. Bennett and the boys really are doing a good job.

@Vince
LMAO

GAP :
Hall of Famer!?……..Uhh that’s drinking a lil bit too early this

I was hoping you'd pick up on the sarcasm, after the paragraph above my Harden prediction...

Hall of Famer!?........Uhh that's drinking a lil bit too early this morning......aside from that checkout this story on our Thunder!
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12756

There's a special place in hell, for child molesters and lawyers and the like, and all it is is Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith in surround sound 24 hours a day.

And how about a Jerome Moiso sighting in that Rubio article? He was a lottery pick way back when. (2000 with the Celtics). Now he's on a second-rate team in Spain. Let's keep that in mind as we argue over our respective draft prophecies. Youneverknow.

(Pick Harden -- he'll be a Hall of Famer).

that's how you get paid - Be controversial . . . he's playing his hole cards for all they are worth . . .

@Kev
(I know...I just really liked him when he was with the Hornets...I know)

Does anyone else hate Skip Bayless? His entire career is built of playing devil's advocate. There's no way he can't call Lebron James' shot phenomenal. I don't know if I can respect a guy who ALWAYS plays the advocate. Can't anyone and everyone say insane stuff?

I know he's from Oklahoma, but even being an OU fan kinda makes you devil's advocate in the national media.

@Nix

come on Nix - you're better than this . . .

I assumed you saw the OKC-Clips games this year . . .

I will go out on a limb and say that even if you DON'T consider the big contract, Presti wants no part of Baron . . .

@Steve H
If I remember correctly Baron's contract expires in Durant and Green's free agency year...Which would be awesome.

I honestly wouldn't be afraid of bringing in Davis. Once again it's the 'veteran leadership' or 'old & dying' debate. Which is he? Glass half full or empty?

Does anyone think we make the playoffs this year? I really don't see it happening this next year. (I bet we end with the 10th worst record)

The Grizzlies dont want a high payroll - if they did, Gasol would still be there - and at least Gasol shows up; the Clippers put Baron Davis on milk cartons this past year . . .

@Kev
Yea...I think I (maybe we all) just assumed Memphis was dumb. The truth is they probably realize they could trade Rubio to the #4 and still get Thabeet (if they really wanted him). Anybody would take Rubio at #2 or #3 even if it's just to trade him.

One last comment on the possibility of a three way trade to land Griffin.If the Clipps are looking to unload Baron Davis' contract, I can't imagine that the Grizzlies being anything but delighted to make him their new starting PG. As two teams both under the cap, we could GIVE the Grizzlies Watson and Atkins to swap for BD- two expiring contracts that save the Clipps max money- they could even use Watson as their back-up PG and buy out Atkins for pennies on the dollar. It really looks to me like all the pieces are there to make something like this happen- and I have crazy faith in Presti's ability to wheel and deal.

after reading the third article - it appears that the only way that Thabeet goes 2nd is if the Grizzlies are scared of Rubio's "threat" not to come over . . .

@Nix
I responded to the same comment in the last post pointing out that Rubio could/should be a bigger marketing asset for the Clipps than Griffin. Los Angeles has the second largest spanish speaking population of any city on the planet other than Mexico City. Forget about contract spacing- how many Rubio Jerseys do they wind up selling to kids in south LA?

Outstanding Truehoop article about Rubio . . .

after reading it I agree with Nix - he's a project. He's my kinda pt guard, but he won't step in and be a big factor Day 1 -

I still prefer Curry after Griffin, especially after reading that in-depth piece on Rubio . . .

thanks again Joe for the links . . .

@Nix
Ain't that the truth.

@MartzMimic
You asked:

"We’ve talked about it from a basketball standpoint, but I wondered something on the business side, which I guess also affects the on-the-court stuff: Would a trade that sent Green to LAC for Griffin be a wise business move? Not because of the hometown connection, but by spacing out the upcoming contracts. Any ideas?"

I think it might help our spacing if we had Griffin. You sign Durant first, one season later sign RW and then sign Griffin. As opposed to trying to sign two big contracts in 1 year.

Of course if Griffin explodes he's going to cost more then Green in a contract year.

@Kev
I posted on the last thread we had a reply about Rubio (to Crow).

but in reference to that, he's allowed to have a bad game at 18...

He is definitely a project.

I went back and read the entire article (thanks for the link )

someone please explain to me why he can't get more than 6 pts and 3 assists (in 26 min) against (assuming) inferior competition . . .

That's the part that kills me about Rubio. You have a buyout; we get that. Either you pull out BEFORE the draft or you don't - don't wait until AFTER the draft and then attempt to hold a team hostage - that's not right, and if that his truly his intent, I want no part of him with the Thunder . . .

I love these anonymous sources, especially this far away from the draft. Wasn't it just last year that ESPN reported on draft day that we were trading the fourth pick?