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HA! Did you see the glaring and thoroughly surprised look on LMA’s face when he turned around and saw who rejected his shot??? Freakin hysterical.

It’s good to know that even when RW is out of position on transition D because of his thirst for rebounds, that he can run the floor and nab a block from behind.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14210

Pretty cool.

I jumped out of my seat and screamed when that happened last night.

There wasn’t even anyone else in the room at the time.

What’s interesting is that his two best blocks have come because he was out of position.

@MartzMimic

You think he was out of position on that play? It was a fast break, and he was stride for stride with Blake. He looked in good position to me.

@Andrew
Nice read. So now that the lakers wont extend Farmar, what do u guys think about him as a backup pg? I think he may be a good fit chemistry wise, bc afterall he did go to ucla.

@Blake
He’ll probably want more money than he’s worth.

@Vega
Thats probably true, but the question is will he find a team willing to overpay him? And chances are hes still gonna be a backup pretty much anywhere he goes.

@Blake
Farmar also thinks he is a starter. That is one of the things Phil Jackson has talked about is that if he thinks he is a starter then he needs to prove it. I like him for a back up but like Vega said he probably wants to much.

It is generally thought that we need a defensive big man. This guy fits the bill.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Timofey-Mozgov-5161/

@Vega
Mozgov is exactly like the Russian version of DJ Mbenga, just as physically intimdating in the footage, and just as horrid offensively.

The ONLY intriguing thing to me about Mozgov is his physica statue AND the fact that he would be a free agent…the only problem is at 23 and late to basketball, he’d be seeing at least 2 years in the D-League and would only be worth a minimal contract and commitment…if that.

Much rather take Aldrich and Alabi with one of either of the potential lottery picks, but that’s just me. There’s a reason Mozgov has gone undrafted by all 30 teams…twice.

Let me start by saying I love me some Russell Westbrook, and think he will be playing in an all-star game someday. With that out of the way, I was a little suprised to see how fragile his new “pass first,CP3 like-persona” was in last night’s game. With all due respect to Clark’s contention that Uncle Jeff will be the pivotal player this year, I am convinced that our team’s progress is most directly tied to Russell’s maturation as a point guard. If we mostly see the Russell of the first two games this year, we are going to at least contend for a play-off spot. If he begins to trend more like the RW of last night, we will do good to break the 30 win mark. In Russell’s defense, and to point out something I haven’t seen noted in the general lamentation of last night’s shortcomings, the other 4 players on the court did a real piece of crap job of moving without the ball. Even Thabo, who is usually a perpetual motion machine criss-crossing the lane, was stagnant. Other than the improved defense, I would have sworn I was watching PJ Carlissimo’s Thunder squad play the Blazers. I would have started a chant of “MOVEMENT” last night, if I wasn’t pretty sure the usher would just have directed be to the nearest men’s room.

How about Yiannis Bourousis? I know he’s said that he wants to stay in Europe for two more years and then sign with the Spurs, but by that time, Duncan and Manu will be old, and KD, Russ, and the rest of the Thunder will be in their prime, ready to make a run. It would make more sense for him to sign with OKC.

@Steve H

I’m not worried about Russell. I can’t expect him to get a double-double in scoring and assists every game in only his second season. Over the course of the season, his assists will go up from last year and his turnovers will go down.

Besides, it’s hard to wrack up assists when no one is hitting shots. Our offensive sets weren’t faring well last night, and nearly everyone who scored had to create their own offense. Russell shot a great percentage, and I don’t blame him for taking it to the hoop. He could beat Blake or Miller whenever he wanted, and it didn’t look like anyone else was going to get their act together.

It won’t always be that way. KD will start hitting again. Krstic will help against several teams, but he’ll struggle against better players like Oden and Przybilla. But when plan A isn’t working, plan B doesn’t sound so bad.

I’m not really worried about Russell’s development in the long run either. I was just so blown away by the new, improved Russell on display in the first two games that I was genuinely suprised at the number of bad passes he made last night and degree to which he forced the issue/played out of control in spots. He will no doubt improve, but it looks like we are in for a bumpier ride than I had hoped for on the way to the promised land.

MartzMimic :What’s interesting is that his two best blocks have come because he was out of position.

excellent point – he rarely races back on defense UNTIL everyone else already has steps on him – his transition defense is NOT good . . .

@Kev

I still don’t see how he was out of position on that play. He was stride for stride with Blake.

the video provided doesn’t go back far enough. When the Blazers took possession, Blake had the ball in the backcourt and Westbrook was already in good position between Blake and our goal (the one we are defending). This is when Westbrook usually tries to swipe and get a steal instead of getting back. Blake takes two dribbles before Westbrook decided to get it going – by that time he’s alongside Blake and struggling to keep up: he lost the good position he already had. He is a gambler – sometimes it pays off – most of the time he’s a liability in transition defense.

@Kev

I’ll have to take your word for it, since I didn’t record the game.

@Jax
See what I get for relying on memory and not playing the clip? I stand corrected

I know this is the wrong area, but ESPN rumor has it that Al Jefferson could get traded. I know he is a really good player but can you all tell me if he would be good for us. I think he only has 2 years left on his current contract so that would have to be taken into account.

Great post moves, HORRIBLE passer . . .

pass . . .

Really? Hmmm. I have not watched him to much so I had know idea. I have just heard he was a good player.

This is really off subject, but talking about point guards. Am I the only one who thinks Rajon Rondo is a punk(I have better expletives but don’t want the wrath of Royce)? I was just reading about his spat with Chris Paul from Sunday on ESPN and thought the same after he tripped, then tried to swing at Heinrich last playoffs. He got all whiny when “false” reports over the summer mentioning him being traded. I think he needs a forearm shiver from Russell when we play, or hopefully, hopefully he tries to posterize Etan and gets hair-whipped back to reality. Talk amongst yourselves, it’s coffee talk.

I like Big Al. He’s undersized and has been a bit injury-prone, but he is still an elite center, and he would fit way better in our slower offense than in Minny’s new run-n-gun. It would all depend on what David Kahn wants in return. I heavily doubt that he would want one of our Big Three. My guess would be White/Ibaka, Weaver, Mullens, Collison, and one of the first-round picks. If that is indeed what Kahn would want, I would pull the trigger.

Oh, and Al has four years left on his current deal.

@astrorob
I agree with you. I can’t stand him.

@Vega
4 years? If its not a horrid contract then your trade would be nice, but I thought he was considered a “franchise” player. Wouldn’t they want at least one of the big 3 plus some other pieces?

@Kev
You say passing is his downfall. Is he a blackhole or just can’t pass?

I didn’t get to see the Rondo Paul spat, but don’t just assume it was Rondo causing problems. Chris Paul is notorious for being whiney and a punk. That kid was bad news at Wake Forest.
That’s not to say I don’t think he is a the best point guard around. Just point it out.

pointing* silly no editing feature.

Jefferson is a poor passer out of double teams – He either fails to recognize the double or he just says “I will score anyway”. Also, defense is not his strong suit . . .

geesh – I messed that up again – he doesn’t pass enough out of double teams – so instead of saying he’s a horrible passer, I should have said he’s not a willing passer . . .

Sorry . . .

If we could get Jefferson for a reasonable price, I would definitely say pull the trigger. One of our biggest problems is a lack of post scoring, and he would solve it in spades. Maybe the Wolves think Kevin Love has a higher ceiling?

And Kev–I think he’d be a much more willing post passer if he had KD, Krstic, and Green to throw it to out of the block.

I wonder if Jefferson’s passing mindset would change with coaching?

@Warren
Why? They are set at point guard, Gomes is the exact same player as Green, and there is no way we give them Durant.

I think that westbrook, was just trying to take the game over. nobody was
shooting well. so you try and carry the team on your back when the shoots are
not falling.

What about Yi Jianlian
9.8 ppg
7.50 RBG
Do any think he would fit in with the thunder.
He’s young and could have potential.

Anyone.

Jax Raging Bile Duct :I wonder if Jefferson’s passing mindset would change with coaching?

good point . . .

@Triple5

I don’t usually comment on players that I don’t know much about, and I know very little about Yi Jianlian.

@Vega
Your right, I didn’t look at it like that.

@astrorob
Rondo- Punk!
Rafer Alston- Punk!
Kenyon Martin- Punk Thug!
That’s the short list of NBA players I would most like to see run out of the league on the basis fo general punk/thugishness. If you are circulating a petition to that effect, I would be happy to sign.