Thursday Bolts – D-Day Edition
Last chance to get in the Daily Thunder MockTest. Here’s what you can expect tonight: Of course and open thread to 
discuss everything, but I’ll be running another wonderful live draft diary as part of it. And then of course, once the smoke settles, some instant analysis. It’s going to be beautiful. Also, if you are interested, the TrueHoop Network will be running a massive Live Blog throughout the evening with multiple blogs taking part. So be sure to check that out as well. Matt over at HP is heading it up.
Chad Ford’s confidence level is 50 percent for OKC taking Ricky Rubio: “If the Thunder keep the pick, my brain says Harden is a perfect fit in Oklahoma City next to Russell Westbrook. The scuttle is that Curry is the hot name in the Thunder’s draft war room. And a few people think Thabeet’s size will win the day. But I have to believe that Rubio, whom we’ve had here since the night of the lottery, will end up in OKC.”
Ian Thompson’s latest and greatest mock: “Thunder – Stephen Curry. The Thunder could go with shooting guard James Harden, Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans or even Jrue Holiday here. But the latest hunch is that they’ll complement Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with a shooter and playmaker. As Oklahoma City turns into a playoff team, Curry could become his generation’s Manu Ginobili off the bench.”
Reader Jacob Thompson (who designed the awesome Thunder logo I use for Twitter and other places) put together this little photoshop for the player he’d like to see in a Thunder uniform tonight:
Just wanted to say thanks to Steve Kerr for beginning to blow up the Suns. I like the looks of that 2010 pick more and more. Potentially an unprotected lottery pick for Kurt Thomas? Yes please and thank you.
Bruce Jenkins of the SF Gate looks at the draft: “Oklahoma City: This appears to be Thabeet’s preference, and he’d look good alongside Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. So would the best shooting guard available, 6-5 James Harden out of Arizona State.”
Chris Littman on the Rubio-Westbrook situation: “And you know what? You are indeed trippin’ if you bring in Ricky Rubio and try to move Russell Westbrook off the ball. A point guard averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 assists and 4.9 rebounds probably shouldn’t be moved. And more to the point, why upset one of the best young groups of talent in the NBA with an unwanted influence? Here’s why it won’t happen: Sam Presti is smart. I mean really smart. Think I’m kidding? The search “Sam Presti Genius” returns 5,930 results on Google! The guy has a long-standing history of quite literally turning nothing into something — most famously making two first round picks appear out of thin air in the Kurt Thomas deal. In other words, Presti knows better than to screw this up.”
Darnell Mayberry took part in a teleconference talking to Sam Presti: “Q: Did you guys hire a Spanish law firm, and if so, what for? A: I believe that the report was confirmed from the team. And secondly we want to be as thorough as we possibly can as we prepare for the draft in all aspects. It’s not specific to one piece of information that was reported. Q: Should the fans read into that decision in any way? The Thunder is the only team that has reportedly hired a Spanish law firm. A: I can’t speak for any other team. Our focus is on being as prepared as we can for this draft.”
I absolutely LOVE this about Ricky Rubio. I’m split about 50.1/49.9 between Rubio and Harden, but this just about puts it over the top:
HoopsWorld looks at a few players who could slide tonight: “James Harden – During a breakout sophomore campaign at Arizona State, Harden saw his draft stock skyrocket and has been projected to go as high as No. 2 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. The 6’5″ shooting guard’s stock began to dip after a lackluster performance in the NCAA Tournament in which his Sun Devils were eliminated by Syracuse in the second round. In two tournament games Harden shot made just three of 18 field goal attempts and scored 19 points, one fewer than his season average. The Pac-10 Player of the Year was reportedly given a guarantee by the Washington Wizards that they would select him with the fifth pick in the draft, but the team has since shipped the selection to Minnesota for guard Randy Foye and forward Mike Miller. Compound Harden’s disappearing act in the team’s biggest games with a horrible private workout for the Grizzlies in Memphis and you’ll find reason to suspect him to slide in the draft.”
Did you know this? I didn’t: “There are all kinds of reports that the Lakers will trade or sell their first-round pick and yet just the other day I wrote that ‘NBA rules prohibit trading your first-round pick in consecutive years. The Lakers have traded away their 2008 and 2010 picks. So they have to keep this one.’ What’s the deal? Gather around for a little story.”
@daniel
haha, glad that got cleared up, thanks for that
Is anyone other than me going to Riverwind Casino for the Thunder draft party?
@GAP
I thought about it, but I don’t get off work until 5:30, so I plan on rushing home to catch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMCor5nREF8
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if you’re bored at lunch, Check out this Ricky Rubio footage from a May contest in the ACB league . . .
@Kev
Look at him defend. That’s incredible.
As Phil Collins once said…
“I can feel it coming in the air tonight… Oh Lord!”
Ya know, I’ve been resisting the Rubio thing for a couple of weeks now, hoping for a solid perimeter player that fits in with the guys. But the more I see of him, the more I warm up to him, and the more I think the team would do the same.
Not only will he be a fantasic point guard (wherever he goes) but he has a pasion for the game that so many players replace with passion for the money. And, if he can develope his spot up three, all the better. I’m starting to think that he makes sense, and I’m sure that someone as down to earth as RW would learn to like him too – just like he eventually did with Thabo. And let’s not forget that (freakishly mature) KD will set the tone as far as team chemistry.
I say let’s do it! I’m sold!
@Kev
Now THAT is the definition of “pesky.”
Rubio’s defense is what impresses me the most, next to his court vision. Between Ricky, Russ, and Thabo, we can guard any backcourt in the league.
There’s question about his finishing ability once he actually gets a steal, but I don’t think that’ll be too much of a problem with Russ and KD running with him.
I wonder what nickname Presti uses when he comments here?
@daniel
I believe he uses “Joe”.
it’s funny when people say he can’t defend . . .
@daniel
I am Sam Presti.
I am also Spartacus.
good points – can you imagine all the easy looks Durant can get??? can you imagine Rubio running a 3 on 2 with Durant on one side and RW or Green on the other side??? Every fast break trip is a layup (or at worst a foul) . . . Durant will be like a kid at Christmas tonight if Rubio is selected . .
you mentioned passion – it’s infectious – hopefully that would inspire the big three to play better and more consistent defense . . .
@KingGondo
Agreed. Depth at the 1,2 and 3 would no longer be an issue. I saw flashes of great offense from Thabo, so I think that will come. Weaver has a ton of potential in my opinion (I still remember him puting Kobe on his rear by sidesteping him when he posted up down low), Livingston showed some serious potential as well, and Green and KD require no further comment.
I’ve been resistant but, I say do it!
And one other point, nothing helps team chemistry like winning basketball games.
If you watch Gottlieb’s mock, he’s got Brandon Jennings falling all the way to 23 and calls Rubio a “weak defender”. Though he does have OKC taking Pendergraph at 25, who I love.
Well, if Presti wants Rubio, the only thing that can keep it from happening is if the Grizz select him or trade the pick. Considering they apparently want Minny’s 5 and 6 picks, it probably won’t happen. Who else has assets to offer Memphis? I mean, they must have a pretty high bar to turn down the 5 and 18…
I’m gonna be nervous wreck the rest of the day, but having a team to live and die for sure is fun!
Listening to Jim Rome is torture. Literally torture.
He always comes back and repeats a little phrase.
“This isn’t going to change anything about soccer in the US. But that’s a good win. I still don’t like soccer and probably won’t ever. But good win. I didn’t even watch yesterday nor do I know anything about anything. But good win though.”
Hard to argue with that.
Plus, don’t forget this formula:
H2O + NaCl + LoudCity + (a little electricity) = THUNDER!
@Royce
How dare you besmirch the good name of Jim Rome, the greatest sports media visionary ever to host a TV show at 3:30 in the afternoon?
@KingGondo
Don’t call me Chris one more time. I’m serious.
Or, as Rod Stewart once said…
“Tonight’s the night. It’s gonna be alright…”
@Royce
…
…
Chris.
*dives behind desk*
I am the world.
I am the children.
Rumor I’ve heard….
OKC Gets: #5 pick to get Steph Curry and Kevin Love
Minnesota Gets: #3 pick to get Ricky Rubio.
Have heard it from 2 different people in local OKC area, however, I can’t confirm it at all. Just thought I’d throw that out there and see if anyone has heard the same thing.
@jk
I doubt it. Love is pretty untouchable, apparently. I would go for that deal in a heartbeat, though, even though I like Rubio a lot.
That would be completely insane on Minny’s part. No way they do that deal. But here’s to hoping it happens….
@jk
I’ve heard some Kevin Love trade rumors too…If you look at the T-Wolves’ roster (on TrueHoop right now), the amount of PFs they have is ridiculous (arguably 10)…I think it would take more than just the #3 pick though (prob. another guard), but I don’t think trading Love is out of the question for Minnesota.
Wonder if they are packaging it with Weaver or Thabo or someone…
Never happen. But if it did – Westbrook would be shitting bricks of happiness.
Minny GM just said K Love will not be part of any draft night trades. I thought it interesting that the statement doesn’t rule out post-draft trade.
I understand how this business is but I would hate to send any of our players away. the additional picks we have, I don’t mind handing those out but players we have now, I like. I didn’t mind when Joe Smith left or we sent Wilcox away even though I liked both, but to send Weaver and Thabo out… they just seem like good people, especially Weaver.
Though I’d pay someone to take Watson…
Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says on his Twitter feed:
“Keep your eye on an OKC-Wolves deal that gets them to No. 3 and Rubio. I think that’s most likely.”
Probably the most concrete thing we’ve heard so far. If it’s gonna happen, though, it must be contingent upon Rubio being at #3, so we won’t know until tonight.
@Dooney
Agreed on all counts…I think Weaver and Thabo should be permanent pieces. But, if it means losing ONE of them to bring in someone like Love, well, here’s to wishing one of them good luck with a great career.
doubt that trade happens – all national media has said that Love is going nowhere . . .
No way that Love is going anywhere. Period. If we do a trade with Minnesota, it’ll probably be for the fifth and eighteenth picks.
hope not – I won’t be upset with a Harden pick – but Rubio/Curry are better options . . .
Presti could have had Love last summer in the draft. He took Westbrook. 3 years from now will his choice look like the right one? Bigs who can play well are rarer and more valuable. Love is not everything you want especially on D though.
But they could have had Noah-Love-Durant. Noah’s D compensating some for Love and Durant. Presti choose Westbrook-Durant-Green. I don’t think his choices so far were the very best.
@Crow
“Presti choose Westbrook-Durant-Green. I don’t think his choices so far were the very best.”
you trippin!
I’ve also heard that the Thunder offered #3 for 5 and 6 straight up. One thing seems certain, the Thunder and Wolves are talking.
@GAP–Yep! Husband and I are going with some friends who also have season tickets and are similarly “ate up” with Thunder-mania!
Daniel, I be trippin… outside Presti-in-wonderland.
I might be wrong but so far I don’t think so and I don’t even think it is even close. But that is just my opinion.
I think they just look at how skinny he is and assume he’ll get pushed around, but he’s a guard…and he’s 18. Get some Ted’s and Iron Starr in him and he’ll be fine.
He reminds me a lot of Derrick Rose on the defensive end. He just seems to be everywhere.
@Crow
Daniel is correct. You definitely trippin’.
@Bryan
Absolutely. If one happens to leave… I’ll be a fan of either no matter what team.
@Vega
That would suck. The last thing we need is more draft picks. As it stands, we could afford to shed some players to make space on the roster for improvements through free agency.
If a deal is reached where we take Minny’s 5 and 18 for our 3, the Wolves should have to take Damien Wilkins and give us some cash.
@Clark Matthews
I wouldn’t mind Minny having to take either Earl Watson or Chucky Atkins, too.
come on guys let’s look at the evidence regarding Presti
the GREAT thing Presti has done is to get the cap situation in a great spot – no one can deny that . . .
you can’t give him credit for Durant – he didn’t even draft #1 – it was a 2 man draft, and Pritchard took Oden . . .
the jury is out on Green (playing out of position) and Westbrook (numerous issues) . . .
again, Presti has done a good job, but like Crow said – if we HAD taken LOVE we’d have our PF position solved . . .
if he grabs Curry or Rubio then I’m good . . .
if he grabs Thabeet then I’d be more than a little disappointed . . .
Of course, you have to remember that the people who say Rubio can’t defend are Al Eschbach and Jim Traber.
Not trying to rag on them, but they seem to have given up on research long ago.
They’re also the ones who want us to take Jordan Hill… So there’s that.