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Hollinger had a good point about Minny's "plan" They got two top 6 picks, have the asset of Rubio, but are only paying for one and got rid of Miller and Foye. They're saving tons of cash, whatever else you think about their moves.

@Crow
I feel confident they will finish ahead of Sacramento, NJ, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.
I think finishing ahead of Memphis, LA, Golden State, NY, or Charlotte is a toss-up in each case.
And then I think it's a long-shot to finish ahead of either Indiana, Philly, or Detroit.

Thunder beat 2 of this group last season (with Washington not in the group with an injury exception). How many do they beat this year? Just 5 that is progress but kinda ho- hum. 7 that would be pretty good. After you finish with that group you still have to fight into the playoffs.

Just to get near .500.

Alex I think you are pretty much right, with one twist. Bucher was saying that the Thunder are the only team whose long-term plan that "has" been discerned and understood by outside observers. I don't think many outside observers have really tried to understand these other 8-10. I haven't much. But they have plans and some prospects.

A few other responses:

Memphis with Zach Randolph may well win more than expected the next 2 years. As his contract gets shorter his value probably goes up and they might be able to flip him for something good. Heisley in basketball wasn't been good but he did make over a billion buying stuff other people thought was worthless and turning it around into something worth keeping or reselling so I don't totally writeoff the possibility he improves.

"Minny drafts two pure point guards thinking they can play together on the floor at the same time." And I can see Flynn playing 25-30 minutes at PG and if they got Rubio I can see him playing 20-25 minutes at PG the first few years and maybe some point wing eventually. So it could be fine.
Or Rubio gets traded.

I didnt say Detroit's plan was good just that they had one.

Probably only a couple of these lottery teams make it to 40 wins anytime soon and it will be a challenge for any to become a contender. Maybe the Thunder beats the odds. But they have to beat all these other teams first. All of them.

@Crow
I think Bucher was saying that the Thunder are the only team whose long-term plan can easily be discerned and understood by an outside observer. I don't think you can include a team that trades for Zach Randolph in that category. Or a team that drafts two pure point guards thinking they can play together on the floor at the same time. Or a team that trades for AI just so they can free up cap space to overspend on two 6th men when one plays the same position as their highest paid player. Or a team that is mortgaging their entire future on the premise that a huge star will want to play for an awful team next year. I'll somewhat agree regarding Sacramento and the Nets, but I still feel as though right now, the Thunder are furthest along on their long-term plan and I feel confident saying the Thunder have a realistic shot to challenge for a playoff spot in 2-3 years, whereas I cannot say the same thing about Sacramento or New Jersey. Golden State is another story altogether and will probably never be anything more than entertaining until they hire a new coach. Totally agree with you regarding Milwaukee, Phoenix, and LA...especially Milwaukee. I think you could argue Milwaukee if further away from a championship than any other team in the NBA.

Bucher is wrong. Teams who won 40+ or maybe even 35+ games are focusing on the present (if you mean the next 2-3 years) but I'd say there are 8-10 teams focusing on the future and that is a fairly normal amount. You might like the Thunder plan best but Sacramento has a plan, the Griz have a plan, Minny is beginning to, Detroit has a plan. Some of the others it is a bit hard to say what it is but Golden State thinks it has a plan, the Nets do too, the Knicks are slowly moving to where they can start a plan. Milwaukee, Phoenix and the Clippers have one foot in the present and the future and need to decide.

I can't wait for Clark Matthews lyrics for the rap song about KD35. (holds breath)

@Alex
I heard that too, pretty interesting

@Jax Raging Bile Duct
It's pretty cool when your 23 win team routinely comes up in General NBA discussion...I loved when Bucher said every team is looking at the present right now and nobody has a long-term plan...EXCEPT THE THUNDER.

Wow, Thunder fans.

We're so lucky; it's unbelievable.

@Bryan

Yeah... fine. None of that then.

So, when's preseason start?

@Alex

Listening to it now.

Bucher said he hears rumors that a deal for Gortat is already done for down the road. But he said even if that was only rumor, that the Magic signed Gortat as an asset to trade. Even mentioned Oklahoma City as a great fit.

More good words for OKC and their direction.

That is a bit on the creepy side I'd say...

Ack! that was me.

You guys need to listen to Bill Simmons' new 2-part mega podcast with Ric Bucher and Marc Stein. Highlights for the Thunder: Simmons letting the word "Oklahoma" slip out of his mouth before catching himself and Bucher talking about what a great fit Harden is for our team. Plus, really good free agent talk.

i work at galleria furniture. He was really nice and easy going. Spoke decent english for only being here for a short time.

I must be the only one who has never ran into a single player outside of a Thunder event... I'm around Oklahoma celebs all the time, but never the players.

@Jax Raging Bile Duct
BAH! collison? man hope i can bump into him this season.

@Lefty

That's all I ever do, just nod in acknowledgment and leave them alone. It seems to me that they appreciate it.

Ran across Birdman and Jackson Vroman while the Hornets were around, and Collison, Thabo and Atkins with the Thunder so far.

I'm real curious where you work now, Blake, that they would come in.

I worked at a Subway for a while, and both Earl and Collison came through a few times. Once I saw Krstic at Target (it was the same day as the NCAA football National Championship game, and I was so sorely tempted to invite him over to watch it, since this was right after he moved here, instead I just nodded and moved my cart out of his way...).

just to let everyone know serge ibaka came in to where i work today. I must say he is huge. Not only is he tall of course but he is really thick. Last yr. Johan petro came in and serge is way bigger than he is. He definatly has a body that could take a bangin down low. If only he develops some post moves.

@Clark Matthews
If KD improves next year the way he improved last year...it's going to be a great season!

I'm so stoked about next season I can hardly wait. An improved RW, Green and Mr. Franchise KD; a full season of Thabo, Kirstic, Livingston and White; the addition of a reasonable backup center AND; the addition of the Bowtie????? Somebody peel me off the ceiling and remind me that they have a long way to go before I get my hopes too high...

@Clark Matthews
Yeah, that part was awesome.

Alright! Now I'm looking forward to a better Kevin Durant this season. That could be scary.

Durant just went down about three notches on my "celebs I'd like to hang out with" list. How can you like boxing more than MMA? I mean really. I knew there had to be a flaw somewhere - finally found it!!!!

I thought this was a really weird interview, albeit fairly interesting. How did they get on the topic of boxing?