1. There’s a great story about Michael Jordan as a young player getting so upset that Bill Cartwright kept dropping his passes. Tex Winter (I think) instructed MJ to simply throw the ball at his face, because Cartwright’s reflexes would take over. Someone needs to tell RW that too for Krstic. No, he doesn’t have great hands, but Westbrook also leaves the ball below his shoulders way too often.

2. I think a Collison move makes sense…except first you have to figure out what exactly you want to get back. We’re all on here saying Ibaka should play more, Harden should play more, many of us (myself included) love Weaver, and no one’s going to trade us a center for Collison (not by himself anyway). So what do we want back? The only other pressing need woudl be a backup 1, but hasn’t Weaver earned a chance to get those minutes? And, btw, we have 5 draft picks next year, with at most 2-3 rotation spots open. It’s an odd problem for a team coming off a 23-59 season, but it’s going to make Presti’s job very interesting for the next 8 months or so.

Maybe it’s the case with a lot of teams and maybe I’m just stating the obvious because I’m still learning the NBA (v. NCAA) but it seems to me that Presti and Brooks have put together a sort of “continuum of versatility” that is more common on NCAA rosters.

What I mean is, instead of creating a traditional depth chart with several players ready at each position (and maybe a few tweeners), the Thunder have placed players on a continuum of size and skill-set that describes their range and type of contribution in a given situation.

Moving from the 5 to the 1, that continuum reads something like this:

Thomas, Kirstic, Ibaka, Collison, White, Green, Durant, Thabo, Livingston, Harden, Weaver, Westbrook, Ollie.

With the exceptions of Thomas, Kirstic and Ollie, every player on the squad can play AT LEAST two positions, if not three. Having that much versatility allows Brooks to really adapt to other teams and, in some cases, create some serious match up problems.

As far as I’m concerned, I’ll take a continuum over a depth chart any day.

I don’t think it will be long until he displaces Collison… he has already taken all DJ White’s minutes, who in my opinion is pretty decent.

I just love knowing that with Ibaka at the rim, teams can’t just slash to the basket and throw up some garbage… the sort of garbage that Kirtic and Thomas seem to miss (at least Green seems to be stepping it up in that regard..taking charges etc.)

It seemed to me that the only time Ibaka really got beat last night was when he contested a shot at the rim then was out of position for the subsequent rebound and put-back…. and that can be improved with time and experience.

One word: Weaver!

I will be soooo effen mad if Brooks ships him down the Thunder Turnpike…sooo mad! I’ve been a fan of his since the team got here last year, and it’s because he brings good energy and solid D every time he steps on the court. I know he can make mistakes sometimes, but he is too good be riding the pine or playing in Tulsa with Ollie getting all the back up PG minutes… Nothing against Ollie, but he’s a warm body on offense and just average on defense…. Okay I’m done.

I think alot of people bit into the possible playoffs hype this year and forgot we are still in the process of rebuilding. Granted playoffs might happen but we are SOO young.

I think the coaching staff will realise it as somepoint (this year or offseason) and correct the amount of jumpshooting we do (although if its durant its almost as good as a lowpost move.)

I really think we will be fine. w/o going out and getting someone. IMHO Ibaka is the current project starting C and Krstic will be the backup. Also with another offseason or two Green should have a fully devolped post game (we know he is not scared of contact) The way I see it this year is dedicated to consistant defense. Thats the entire goal.(granted playoffs might be in the picture now just due to defense)

Next year will probally be offensive consistenicy (man i hate spelling lol) As long as Ibaka, Harden, and Weaver continue to see burn this year along with consistant defense this year (to me ) will be a success.