Comments on: Smart thoughts of the week: July 24-31

By: Schemm sharoo

Schemm sharoo — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:21:05 +0000

I always liked hustle Russell. . .
Or just hustle Westbrook.

By: Bang4ur$

Bang4ur$ — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:09:31 +0000

Sorry, Thomas was traded for Atkins, not Watson.

By: Bang4ur$

Bang4ur$ — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:57:43 +0000

As for the Thomas trade, I really like it. At least Thomas has shown decent skills for his position (rebounding, court sense, defensive presence). Traded for a wing player with no outside shot and a point guard/role player who thinks he’s better than he is (also with no outside shot). Thomas has no outside shot either, but who cares? He’s had some injury troubles, so maybe he comes back from that stronger. Maybe not. He’s low risk, low rent. All I know is my wife thought he was the best-looking player on the court when we watched the wiz beat the Sonics a few years ago (yes she has a thing for dreads). Who can say that for Wilkins or Watson?

By: Bang4ur$

Bang4ur$ — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:51:05 +0000

I may be a bit snarky, so don’t take it personally–but criticizing Presti for failing to flip Chandler for Okafor is like criticizing the weatherman for failing to predict lightning would strike your house. Besides, if OKC had Okafor we would all be feeling some buyers’ remorse for that contract.
Presti likes draft picks because of where the team is in the cycle of building (opposite that of the Spurs). We know he is taking the patient, slow approach, and right now, draft picks are great. They can be traded, sold, or used, and they bring in young guns for a tryout on a team that still has some time and (roster AND cap) space for development. Once OKC signs some big-bucks contracts, and has a clear idea of the core players, they will stay away from draft picks, too. San Antonio doesn’t hate draft picks (look at Blair), but they can only afford to be very selective. They lack the cap space, court time, and window of opportunity to bring in rookies, and pretty soon OKC will be in the same boat. But not yet.
Speaking of Blair, how many of you would flip Mullens for Blair in a heartbeat? I hate to say it, but “Mullet” Mullens already looks like he will never be the kind of post player OKC needs. But that’s hardly an original thought….

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:08:15 +0000

The answer may be in how much he actually plays. Or maybe not.

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:07:35 +0000

Kwame Brown could probably “carry the burden” discussed above and maybe fill some minutes decently. He can score in the post some if you throw him the ball and tell him to go to work, if he is in the mood. But the Mullens project makes this unlikely, unless they are forced to admit the entirely youth longterm design in not such a good idea, especially inside. Was Etan Thomas a tiny, temporary admission of that or just more flotsam in the name of draft picks and future flexibility?

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:01:03 +0000

But if you are in to cheering you could mix up chants of “Ru Roo” – for speed or finesse plays- with “RWR!” for tough guy power plays depending on the play and your reaction to it.

And I should have said power PG. A power guard as I’ve used the term before is really an beefy and / or long power playing SG (like a Jason Richardson).

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:54:41 +0000

If Ru Roo is too cutesy and it probably is, you could adapt the prior idea and try RWR (saying it is as “roar” like a young lion or some other version of a RWR growl for a “power” guard)

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:49:39 +0000

Kwame Brown might not be a totally crazy consideration next summer or sooner. Depending on price. But is is unlikely.

By: Crow

Crow — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:41:57 +0000

I may have been off on whether Chris Quinn and Travis Diener are available and it isn’t important enough to worry about it.