if we get Rubio (or even Curry), Durant HAS to start playing better off the ball – he gets a free pass way too much on offense because he is good enough to get away with it. Durant can always get his, the problem is that it stagnates the offense. Some other guy (sharper than me) figured out that Durant does little off the ball. I was watching defense so much that I didn’t pick up on it. After that, I paid closer attention. He was right. When he went out with his injury, the offense was much better. Are we better without Durant? NO, but to be better Durant has to play much better without the ball.

On paper Harden could fit well with Durant. You have to guard him, he will score on the weaker wing. He will contribute passing. He has not been a super ball ball-hog.

Rubio? He creates for others, especially by driving the lane. How would that work with Durant? So far I’d say Durant likes to create for himself. Maybe Rubio drives can set Durant up for easy 3 point shots but Westbrook drives should do that too and that ain’t so hard. Durant just has to take the 3s one way. any way, lots more (in addition to driving). Would Rubio make Krstic, Green, Weaver, Sefolosha and Westbrook better? He better. I don’t think his 1 on 1 game is going to rock the league.

Will Rubio and Durant come to share or alternate time on the ball in an effective manner or will it end up being 2 different shows? The chances are better right now than they have been that we’ll find out.

I don’t particularly see title contender from that combo design but maybe I’ll have to think about it further after all. We’ll see.

Presti picks Rubio and that is either the beginning of success or the beginning of the end or at least of era 1.

Does he force the other team to play the smaller forward on Durant? Nope. Easier to choose which guy to use as a defender than normal.

Is he high post and passing to a cutting Durant? Not much.

If he creating an inside game that makes life easier of the perimeter for Durant? Or vice-versa? I don’t see much affect.

Is he a clearly better defender who can take the better forward opponent on defense and make a difference? I’d say not really.

Does Westbrook make anything easier for Durant? He can by driving and playing point D but it hasn’t been a bonanza yet.

If Durant is the core or cores then everybody else, every “ball player” has to fit into some kind of position / role in relationship to Durant. They don’t just get to be their best true self without any fitting or fitting concerns or efforts. They just don’t.

There is a lot of one on one but there is a lot of team too.

I don’t have a problem with best player available if it means best player available who can successfully play a role and position- “any” role and position.

Get a ball player who is half PG / half SG, it can still work of course but now all your other PGs and SGs have to some extent compensate for that.

Get a player who is half SF / half PF you affect what kind of center you can choose or succeed with. A jump shooting center does not seem the right compliment. A 7 footer does but you’d want an athletic / physical one.

I don’t have a problem with best player available if it means best player available who can successfully play a role and position- only role and position. Just being a or the best ball player doesn’t mean enough to me, given the team game where positions and roles really exist though they are pretty flexible.

“Remember he took a small forward right AFTER he had selected Kevin Durant!”

Maybe he did. And though it is still early, I don’t think that was very wise.

Harden, Curry or trade down or out…

I’d take Harden if he’s there (I think it is pretty likely he won’t be)

if not I’d trade down if you could get something useful and still get Curry (or perhaps somebody else like Lawson or Hansbrough)

taking Curry at 3 is kinda steep

I am not really a big fan of building thru these particular recent drafts

to trade out it has to be pretty good. unlikely

Crow I respect your opinion . . .

who do YOU take if Griffin and Rubio are off the board //

If you have already answered this elsewhere, I apologize in advance . . .

though he had a good college career, has a versatile skill-set, can play 3 positions, defends better than some think, has good +/-, is probably cheaply priced, probably does noticeably better in year 2 or 3.

If you want good values sometimes you have to move a bit earlier than others to recognize it or guess about it.

For Presti to covet Salmons & make a pretty big offer to CJ Miles and bring in Sefolosha and Livingston and pass on CDR just seems a bit odd to me, but his choice.