Need reason to be excited about this season? Here’s 20
I spent the whole summer being incredibly excited about this season one minute and then completely terrified the next. Excited for what could be, terrified for what might not. A summer of hype and potentially unreasonable expectation has scared me a little. Well, maybe scared me a lot. I don’t want to be let down. I haven’t soured by any means on the season, but I think I need to re-excite myself. So here’s 20 reasons to be fired up about this season even if you’re so terrified about it that you’ve changed pants four times already and it’s not even lunch.
1. Kevin Durant
He’s No. 1 for a reason. He is the absolute tip-top reason you should be pumped about this year. Nobody really knows what to expect from him. Twenty-five points per game? Thirty? More than 30? I feel like George Costanza asking Jerry how much he paid for his suede jacket. I’m walking out of here right now thinking KD could average more than 35 points this season, unless you tell me different. Most that claim to know stuff have eliminated his ceiling completely. But not only can we expect to possibly see KD step into the pagoda of the NBA elite in terms of gaudy offensive statistics, but he’s worked all summer upping his defensive game. He’s motivated and that’s scary. Forget reading the other 19 things I list. This should be enough.
2. Natural progression
This is what we’re all banking on. If it doesn’t happen, we may all end up running headfirst into a staircase. When you build a team of young college studs and feign any free agent impact signings, it’s all about player development. And spend 10 seconds talking to Sam Presti and he’ll say “player development,” “process,” “culture” and “plan” 16 times each. Some folks out there are expecting a large jump for this team – a major, unnatural progression. It’s definitely possible and heaven knows I’m hoping for it. But even natural progression is enough to fire me up more than Eddy Curry at an all-you-can-eat. If this young core progresses this year the way that’s intended, we’ll get a nice bump in wins, some major momentum into the offseason and the deserved buzz and hype we all would love to see. Playoffs would be more than we could ask, but things at least sticking to plan this season is enough for me. 
3. Russell Westbrook and The Leap
The team’s success depends on it. Presti made a commitment to Westbrook as the point guard of the future by passing on Ricky Rubio last June. Westbrook had an outstanding rookie campaign, considering A) He was a rookie; B) he’d never really played point guard full time and C) he was a rookie. Yet he was a couple rebounds away from being only the 10th rookie in HISTORY to put up 15-5-5, with Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson Michael Jordan and LeBron James being proprietors of that list. And he’s just getting better. This preseason he was Chris Paul-esque with his improved vision and feel for the position. He set teammates up, played under control and slowed down his jets a bit. He’s going to make a leap into the Awesome Zone at some point. He’s too talented not to. But if it’s this year… well, we could be in for something. Something tasty.
4. Twitter
Nearly the whole dang team is on it now. So we can follow James Harden, Kyle Weaver, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha (maybe), Byron Mullens, Kevin Durant and Nick Collison all season long getting their thoughts on games and other things. Collison has slowed his pace, but any time a 140 character gem pops up with his name by it, I’m excited to read it. I’m sure he’ll have a thing or two to say this season and I think you can count on whatever he says to be enjoyable. We need Etan Thomas on it though. I think he could work some beautiful prose into just 140 characters.
5. James Harden
He was drafted to fill a need. We can’t say if that need is officially filled yet, but on paper it is. When a guy is your top pick and taken in the top five, by default you’re excited about it. Harden is a smooth operator that will make his teammates better while also providing some outside shooting and scoring. It may take half a season for him to get rolling. It may take just a month. But when he starts to figure it all out, he’s going to make this team much better.
6. Basketball!!!
Professional basketball in Oklahoma? AGAIN? Yes please. This is Year 2 and I’m just excited to be able to talk about transactions, a roster and the game in general. We didn’t have this three years ago. And the best news is, we’ll have this again next year and the next and the next…
7. Serge Ibaka
Ibaka is the most intriguing player on this roster. Who knows what we’ll see. He may play 20 minutes a night. He may not play at all. He may spend his season in Tulsa. He may explode a basketball by swatting it so hard. It’s all so captivating! Ibaka is a mystery and we don’t really know what to expect. We know he’s got athleticism out the everything and will surely bring us to our feet a few times. We can only hope he stands us up more than a few.
8. No Earl Watson!
Did you grow frustrated last season watching Earl dribble to an elbow with 18 on the shot clock and hoist an ugly jumper, which inevitably clanked back-iron? Me too! That’s why I slaughtered a lamb in celebration and thanks the day Presti bought out his contract.
9. No Damien Wilkins!
You know what sucked? Yes, Damien Wilkins last season. We’ve got the Mendoza Line, we’ve got a new Trudeau line for football, but if we’re looking for a general suckage term for the NBA, Wilkins’ 2008-09 season would definitely be in contention. Horrible percentages, uncanny unproductiveness (word?), general disinterest. It was truly something special. Both team scapegoats are gone and while I’m sure we’ll find someone else to place all blame on, it’s nice to see these two cadavers in different laundry.
10. Youth and exuberance
You know you’ve got a glass half full group when it can start 3-29 and players don’t start faking injuries just so they don’t have to play that night. These guys fought hard through it all and it paid off with a decent finish to the season and some momentum into this one. And with the average age of the team hovering around 24, these guys are just excited to be playing basketball. They play XBOX all day just to pass the time until tip-off. There aren’t a lot of distractions for them. Basketball is life. And that should translate into 82 games of all out play, for good or bad. They’ll run, they’ll dunk and they’ll play hard. Whatever happens, it should be fun.
11. An All-Star Game within driving distance
And inside a spaceship no less. But the best thing is that Kevin Durant is likely going to be participating and when Oklahoma City sends its first player to the All-Star game, we can actually all go see it. Russell Westbrook is a definite contender for the dunk contest. James Harden will be in the Rookie/Sophomore game. And KD will defend his HORSE title. It will be a Thunder weekend in Dallas, and we can all go.
12. Sam Presti is the smartest man alive
Something is going to happen at the trade deadline. Or even before. Something. We all trust in Presti’s judgment, well, at least most of us, so whatever he’s got in mind, we’re going to get behind. He’s got a diddly of cap space to jostle with, he’s got expiring contracts and he’s got assets out the ace. When Dwight Howard is in a Thunder jersey and all we gave up was Kevin Ollie, Etan Thomas and 2011′s No. 1, don’t ask why. Just nod, shake your head with a Harrison Ford smirk and say, “Heh, that Sam Presti.”
13. Dunks
The Thunder fields a solid dunking lineup. Durant can soar. Westbrook flushes with anger. Jeff Green uses both hands and surprises you with an awesome punch. Serge Ibaka may dunk from the other free throw line. Not to mention Harden can toss a few good ones in and Etan Thomas does the whole power dunk thing where he flushes with two hands and shakes the rim around like he had a seizure mid-slam. We’ll have some acrobatics to admire this year for sure. And isn’t that really what we kind of want to see? Chicks dig the dunk ball.
14. The Ford Center
I’ve gone over this already. But it will be fun to watch the NBA in an arena that actually feels like you should be watching the NBA in it.
15. The trade deadline
I’ve never had so much fun with sports while a game wasn’t being played. The moving parts, the talking, the rumors – I ate every bit of it up. I think I had more fun that week than I did the whole season. Granted some of that may have had to do with rooting for a team that was 10-35 at the time. But nonetheless, I can’t wait for the whirling week of deals and rumors. It’s the number one thing you get with a professional team that you don’t get with a college one. Recruiting is faceless and all you care about is a couple of stars next to a kid’s name. You don’t know who he is or where he’s from most times, just what some service thinks of him. But in the pros, you make deals for real players that you know. Hopefully this year OKC is making a deal to push the team over the top instead of making room for the offseason. 
Oh, and doesn’t rescend it when it happens. That was kind of a buzzkill.
16. Jeff Green
Everybody loves Jeff Green. He’s unassuming, he’s low-key and he’s humble. He plays second fiddle as well as you could. But he made a huge jump last season and he may have more in store this year. Kevin Durant is going to draw almost all attention OKC gets for good reason. Westbrook gets a bunch for his pure flash and excitement. But nobody seems to notice Green. He just does his thing and there are nights he carries the team. You’ve got to love a guy that’s willing to accept a role and do what needs to be done. And a guy LeBron nicknamed “Uncle Jeff.” Best nickname ever.
17. Defense defense defense
It’s what the team spent an entire camp working on. Thabo Sefolosha is the stopper and he’ll lock down on some poor sap all season. Durant supposedly improved, Westbrook is solid and Serge Ibaka may evolve into a rim protector. The Thunder wants to build around defense and spent the offseason working on it. I think there’s some saying about it and championships or somesuch.
18. Scott Brooks
Isn’t Coach Brooks just likable? It always seems like he’s choosing his words very carefully and wants to say the proper thing. He’s got that “You can’t dislike me” look about him and while intense, very under control. For some reason I took pride in having a non-hothead coach last year that didn’t get teed up every other night. I think he’s the right man for the job and he’s instilled an unmatched work ethic in this group to the point he had to lock the gym doors to keep them out. That’s a good sign.
19. The changing of the guard in the West
On the way down: Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Houston, potentially New Orleans. On the way up: Oklahoma City, Portland, L.A. Clippers, maybe Minnesota. I’m picturing titanic matchups between the Thunder and Blazers in the Western Conference Finals over the next five years. I’m picturing monster late season games against the Lakers for seeding. The West is about to open up for a team like OKC. The Thunder just has to be ready to seize it and take advantage of the natural cycle in sports. This could be our time. We need to be ready for it.
20. Hopes and dreams
We all have them about this team. We can play the “If” game and we can think about things bouncing right. It’s what makes a season fun. It’s what makes opening night a joy for every team. Everybody is tied for first place. Everybody thinks about being the It Team that surprises everyone and makes a strong push. Could it be this team? Could this team be the Tampa Bay Rays or the Arizona Cardinals? Why not? Why can’t they be? Actually, don’t answer that.
But entering a season, it’s all about hope and what could be. Nobody wants to think about what won’t be. That’s what December is for. Right now, the Thunder is in first and after tonight could be undefeated with a 1.000 winning percentage. And that’s just how the dream starts. With a healthy amount of hope.
My number one? Not blowing every close game available. This team actually knows what it takes at the end of games now. With Westbrook getting better and three players (KD, Russel, Green) legitimate final minutes threats, I feel ready to hope again with the game on the line.
What is everyone else’s number one thing to watch this season? Also, a great 20, Royce.
Disagree about #1 . . .
I’m more excited if the team wins! That’s #1 for me. Yes, that’s a given, but you asked for #1. If we win tonight and KD scores only five points (unlikely) I would be more excited than if he scored sixty and we lost . . . If KD averaged thirteen a game for the season (yes, I know – this is a hypothetical) and we win forty five games then I’m satisfied with that . . .
@kev
Absolutely. Hopefully that’s a given. I want wins no matter how we get them.
So I guess you’re right, technically, “More wins” should be number one, but I don’t want to jinx anything.
I am glad we start with Sacramento – hopefully we take care of business and put them away . . . it’s always exciting for me to watch the rookies (Evans). Tyreke has the height advantage over Westbrook, will Evans post up?? Meanwhile Thabo should do a great job locking down Kevin Martin. The big ? is our inside play on both ends. I want to see what Etan gives us and if Krstic’s play will be reduced . . . stay tuned . . .
Royce–
You’ve got me excited about Serge Ibaka and I don’t even fully understand yet why I’m excited.
@hoopinion
Haha Bret, I’m not sure any of us really know. He’s an enigma.
Let me preface my ensuing argument by admitting that I am crazy and that I am aware it is way way too early for trade deadline deals. So without further ado, the trade that has been knocking me on the head since last year: Chris Bosh. What does it take to grab an all star player? 1) A good young talent with the chance to be very good in the future. Jeff Green, check. 2) Multiple draft picks, at least one first rounder. Phoenix/our pick next year and as many 2nd rounders as they want, check. 3) Saving the trading team money. We could take on almost 10 million in salary this year, dropping the Toronto payroll considerably, check.
Why do we do this? Because Bosh is a better rebounder and inside presence than anyone we have by far. He’s also a better/more efficient scorer than anyone not named KD. He finally gives us an elite big man to play an inside and outside game.
Why does Toronto do this? Even if Toronto does well (which I don’t expect), they have been too bad for too long and Bosh wants out to either A) a big market where he can get the press and money or B) a solid team that he can go deep into the playoffs with for a long time. Bosh is leaving, and Toronto needs to sell high before they get nothing. Green gives them a young player with a lot of upside to try rebuilding with. A first rounder in a deep draft next year gives them a chance to become the next hot young team in the league. And, they save a bunch of money this year to help alleviate the huge contract they dumped into Hedo.
Sorry, I just can’t get this out of my head and had to just say it somewhere. Feel free to ignore.
@Keith
I’ve been thinking about Bosh all year too. It’s hard to shake.
Think about a lineup of Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Green and Bosh (if we could somehow keep Green). I’m serious, that’s a championship unit.
@Royce
I think the reason I like him the most is because he reminds me of a young Ben Wallace. No one thought much of Ben in the beginning, he was just a raw player who could hop out of the gym. But once he figured out the league and his own talents, he became the best defensive player of the past decade. Ibaka could be that guy, and it would be absolutely huge for the Thunder.
Good list. I’m looking forward to some Blazer/Thunder showdowns.
good unit, but I’d like Bosh at the 4 – and someone else at the 5. That’s actually a good trade for both sides, Kudos to you Keith. 90 percent of hypothetical trades are ridiculously one sided . . .
In its preview, SI listed Earl as one of the “key losses.” I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard.
I’m intrigued by Ibaka as well. He’s so RAW on offense, but if he dominates for 15-20 minutes on defense it would keep him on the floor . . . I’m interested to see the rotation tonight . . .
I know it’s based on the score and possible foul trouble, BUT
how long will KD play?
will Ibaka get decent floor time?
Is Krstic starting for sure?
How long does Etan play?
Will Thabo get 30-35 minutes?
Will Harden get more than 20?
Will Weaver get to break a sweat?
Will Mullens pass out enough Gatorade?
For these stories and more, tune in to “As the Thunder rolls” . . .
@Royce
As much as I would love that lineup, I just don’t see how we get Bosh without giving up green. Harden is the only other guy I’d give up for Bosh, and Toronto already has DeRozan at the 2. But then again, I haven’t really worked out the numbers for our cap space next year. We may very well be able to land a top big if we can show this year that we have the players to really make a run should a big man sign with us. Of course, I don’t know our exact cap situation next offseason.
I like the Bosh idea, but I would be sad to see Green go. Talk about trading upside for upside, while possibly an even trade, still would be sad to see Uncle Jeffy leave us.
We have money and picks and that may be all it takes to get someone at or near the deadline.
These 20 are great to read mere hours before the game starts. Thanks for an outstanding read Royce!
Etan is who I am very intrigued about. He’s pretty beastly in 2k10, so that has to mean he’s going to give us 10/10 a night right?
@Keith I’m with you on the love for Chris Bosh. He’s in the mold of a Tim Duncan who gives you Peyton Manning-like productivity. Who wouldn’t want that guy on their team?
The big question is, though, why give up all of that for someone who is going to be a free agent and isn’t a lock to sign here longterm? He’s absolutely the guy I want next offseason, but I wouldn’t give that much up for him to have him here now. If he really wants to be a part of this team, he can sign here next season, and we won’t have to give up Uncle Jeff in the process…
@Mully Mulls
If the trade is available, I think I pull the trigger if we are still in the playoff hunt around the trade deadline. The fact that Bosh might leave is concerning, but I trust Presti enough to get a good idea on that before anything happens. Playing next to KD and Russell in itself is a draw for the Thunder. A guy like Bosh, who is a perfect compliment to them, may see championship rings with those guys. Also, if we trade for him, we’ll be able to offer him more money than anyone else in the offseason (as we’d get his Bird Rights).
If we get him, it’s a sign that we are ready to compete sooner rather than later and that we will be over the cap (and possibly luxury tax) to do it.
@Mully Mulls
I am with you. Keep Green and sign him in the off-season. How old is Bosh? How about Collison and a first for a seven-footer?
Why trade for Bosh when we could try to sign him as a free agent after this season? No, I very much doubt that CB4 is in Presti’s plan for the future, in a trade, or as a free agent. I do, however, expect Presti to make a splashy trade for a real center, like Marc Gasol, Andris Biedrins, or the PH.
I am thrilled that there is no more Earl Watson. Normally, I am very subdued when it comes to sports, but I got very agitated and yelled at my television every time Earl took one of those hideous shots early in the shot clock. I am ecstatic that he is now Indiana’s problem instead of ours.
I say no more thunder up! What about roll, thunder, roll as a chant? I know its a bama thing but who cares. Sorry off topic a bit but im goin to the game tonite and the only thing im not looking forward to is hearing thunder up all nite. Any other ideas for some better chants to get the ford rockin?
Bosh is not on the level of a Peyton Manning or Tim Duncan . . . I know that’s not what you said, but when you start putting athletes in the same sentence to make comparisons, you blur the line between what you wanted to say and how it comes across . . . If Bosh was an elite player, then Toronto would be better – I think they had a losing record – part of that is his fault . . .
@Anonymous
Seriously, why not “ROLL! THUNDER!” That’s pretty good.
@Vega
Firstly, I don’t think we will have the money to lure him in the offseason. Secondly, if he has a couple months to play with these guys and really see how good they can be, I imagine it would be very very hard for him to leave.
As for Gasol, Biedrins, and Gortat, I think only Gortat will be available. Thabeet is a bust and Memphis can’t afford to lose their only decent center (especially as cheap as he is). Biedrins also I just don’t see being on the block. The only reason people have speculated on him (myself included) in the past is because GS is a terribly dysfunctional team. Even then, can you see them parting with their only center for draft picks when Nelson almost never gives rookies a chance?
@kev
That’s actually part of the reason I want him. A guy like Shaq or Duncan probably could never function being anything but the number one option. Bosh is a lot like an Ewing (per Simmons) in that he’s a number 2 masquerading as a number one, and just good enough to keep up the appearance. The Thunder would still be KD’s team, even with Bosh, and that would probably be best for all parties involved.
Sorry the anonomyous was me.
good point, and I would take him too – I just think we use the word “elite” too much. He would be a great #2.
@Royce
Where is my official countdown until tip off? I’m stuck at work and the wait is agonizing!! I think we need a clock to make the excitement until tip off grow even more! yea.. that last bit was complete sarcasm..
On the topic of Down with Thunder UP… even ‘lets go thunder’ I could get into more than thunder up….although I admit I probally yelled the hardest at the AcDc na na na na na na na na THUN-DER!!
I know Biedrins is a beast on the boards but how much are his stats inflated by the Warriors offense? Quick shots and more 3 point shots= more possessions= more caroms to be had.
Everybody has an idea as far as the win total this year and mine is 38-44 and then 50+ in year 3.
I’d take Beidrins – at worst, he is an above average rebounding big man – right now, I don’t think we can claim one of those right now . . .
@kev I don’t know about him not being “elite.”
In the last 4 years he’s averaged 22.5 pts and 9.65 RPG. Tim Duncan’s career average is 21.4 and 11.7 respectively. I’m not necessarily saying that Bosh is better than or quite as good as Timmay, but to say that they don’t belong in the same breath isn’t quite doing Bosh justice either. You were right though, I was just wanting to state the consistency of his game… http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chris_bosh/career_stats.html
Honestly, it’s just stupid how much sense it would make for us to bring him in next year and I’d have NO doubts that we could hang with anyone in the Association then!
I think Bosh is the most likely (or perhaps least unlikely) of the various trade scenarios that have been floated. First, Bosh (if I recall correctly) is originally from Dallas (definitely Texas) so OKC might have more pull on him than a guy from one of the coasts. Secondly, the consensus is that Bosh is pretty much gone from Toronto no matter what, so we should be able to negotiate from a position of strength. Tack on the fact that several teams with cap space might fear a deadline move that would preclude them from making a deal in the summer (when Lebron, Wade, and many others are FA’s) and Presti might be able to get a seemingly one-sided deal. I don’t think Bosh would play the 5 full-time but I do think Brooks could get minutes for KD, Green and Bosh, moving Bosh to the 5 or KD to the 2 from time to time to get ~110 minutes total for the three.
@Vince
I expect that if we get Bosh it’s through a trade of Green, and thus Bosh takes over at PF. Though even if we just steal him in the summer, I find it more likely that Green plays 30 mpg in a sixth man role behind the stars and when Bosh is moved to the 5 for spurts. The thing is I think we really need to trade for him this year if he is going to stay. What does Chris Bosh really know of OKC besides KD? That’s a compelling reason, but enough to pass up NYC, NJ, or even Miami? I don’t know. But if he gets here earlier, helps us push into the playoffs, and watches first hand how great the team and city can be, he may very well sign an extension rather than opt out at all.
NO way would I trade green for bosh.
other than the fact I like green already. you would also potentially blow up alot of the chemistry that is on this team.(could happen) espically if bosh just leaves town the next.
And besides this is Presti we are talking about, So Bosh for a future 2nd round pick? check.
@kev
OK, after looking at his stats, I’d take Biedrins too. He had 11.2 boards a game last season in only 30 mins a game. Oh yeah, dude goes to the glass alright.
@Keith
Well, if Bosh gets moved it’s going to be at the deadline or via sign-and-trade in the summer. So bear in mind a) Toronto’s not going to get what he’s worth, regardless and b) teams need cap space to make the deal (Toronto’s not going to want an expiring contract, obviously), which minimizes the list of potential destinations. So you may not have to give up Green — in fact, I wouldn’t. The other major issue is that Bosh is looking for max money, which we may not be able to offer with KD/Westbrook/possibly Green up for extensions in the near term and a decreasing salary cap. So I don’t think a Bosh deal will happen, but I think it’s less unlikely than, say Biedrins or a Gortat deal this season.
Still picking on poor old Earl? Hey, he may not be a good basketball player, but he’s married to a hot actress so he must be doing something right three or four times a week.
And trading Green away? How could you possibly break this up?
http://www.thunder-nba.com/players/media/thunder/1.jpg
@Vince
Well Toronto isn’t going to get another all star big man by trading Bosh, so they aren’t going to get equal value, but I actually listed the items almost invariably involved in trading for a prime-aged all star. A sign and trade is a little different since the player is doing his team a favor, and the trading team is just trying to recoup ANYTHING before the player leaves on his own. Also, while Toronto would want to shed salary in trading Bosh, they could sign and trade him anywhere by taking back a maximum of 80% of his salary in other players. Having cap space really isn’t going to be as big a deal in the offseason when a lot of teams have primed themselves to lower payroll.
If we get him, I have to imagine it is at the trade deadline. Bosh is better than Green. If we have good reason to believe he stays, we trade for him. If we don’t, we don’t.
21. Thunder Up
I’d take Bosh any day of the week, he could wind up really putting us over the top in the west. We could matchup well against the Portland’s and the other top teir teams in this conference with a player of his caliber. Bosh would make it hard for teams to get locked on KD when he has his inside outside game going, thus inflating RW’s assist totals when Russ breaks the opposing defenses down like a rusty shotgun.
If the thunder had to give up Green, do you guys really think that the players don’t know that it’s a business and are ready at some point to be traded. I don’t see KD as a player to lose focus and let a trade of Green to break up the chemistry, especially if he’s getting a proven 2nd fiddle player that could take his team to new heights.
Still a lot of great points on the pros and cons of getting Bosh, but i’m with the side who believes that Bosh could change the game for KD and friends. Becoming another building block for a championship team in OKC. Bosh has a nice shooting touch and the post moves to really give post defenders fits without taking shots away from Durant, oh did I mention he’s an allstar and a gold medal winner in the last Olympics.
Sounds about right.
I’ve been playing with the ESPN Trade Machine. According to it, you could trade Krstic and Etan Thomas for Bosh…and both teams would be better off.
In reality, I think we would have a hard time trading for Bosh unless they are ready to rebuild with picks. Going out and signing Turkolu tells me they aren’t ready to throw in the towel.
Signing Bosh as a free-agent or doing a sign & trade after the season is more likely. That said, I don’t think Presti will splurge that much on a player like Bosh.
I really think the trade machine has gone nuts. How can everyone benefit? I posted this trade on Welcome to Loud City a few days ago. By trading Collison and White for Azuibuke and Turiaf the Thunder are to improve by 41 wins.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ykg39of
Yeah, after second thought, something does seem to be messed up with the Trade Machine. I tried a few more and each trade improved every team by 24 wins.
“8. No Earl Watson!
Did you grow frustrated last season watching Earl dribble to an elbow with 18 on the shot clock and hoist an ugly jumper, which inevitably clanked back-iron? Me too! That’s why I slaughtered a lamb in celebration and thanks the day Presti bought out his contract.”
This alone has MY Thunder up!
We won’t get better unless we trade – you have to give up something to get something. Despite all the love for Green, he does have holes in his game – Bosh is a better fit. We’d be silly not to make that trade . . .
Bosh is a great basketball move for this team. I know Green and KD are friends, but so are KD, Russell, Weaver, and likely Harden. Would it be hard to see a friend leave? Sure, but even the most optimistic of players has to realize they people they come into the league with very likely won’t be the people they end their careers with. I really like Green as a person, but Bosh is a better player. It’s not like the Billups trade last year where the rest of the guys went into a tailspin without him. Those guys had played together for most of their long careers, had won a championship and fought in the playoffs together. I don’t think Bosh is some pariah or jerk, and winning can heal a lot of wounds for players as well.
Would we even be able to resign him knowing that we have to max KD and get pretty close to maxing Westbrook in a couple years. I know that seems a while off, but Bosh will want a long contract. I just don’t see how this helps our “natural progression”. It seems like we’d be going from 2nd gear straight to 5th gear.
Green is not going anywhere. For the last time, you don’t trade the glue of your team and your superstar’s BFF for a minimal (yes, I said it) upgrade. If you don’t think it’s minimal, just read the next couple paragraphs about how “great” Bosh was last year. Green’s staying put. End of story.
@Kev
And I’m sorry, but a team does get better without trading all the time; it’s called player development. And if you guys don’t think Bosh doesn’t have holes in his game then you simply didn’t watch much Raptors ball last year. There’s a reason Toronto only won 33 GAMES last year people.
Bosh is not as much of an upgrade over Jeff Green as everyone here seems to think; he’s a career 19 and 9.5 guy who will always be the second best player on a contender, or the best player on a middle of the pack playoff team. Given Green’s ability to play multiple positions and his wide ranging skill set, not to mention the fact that he’s the guy who does all the dirty work and is great at playing second or third fiddle without complaining…and Presti would be crazy to trade him for Bosh (do you really think Bosh wouldn’t make a stink about being #2 in OKC to Durant, really?)
And all that to say, I love Bosh…but Green is the better FIT. It’s not always about pure talent, people (See the 2003-04 Lakers).
@Royce
Bosh will be a free agent. The trade only makes sense if they can lock Bosh into a deal.