Daily Thunder.com

@Keith
And what player is being taken 1st this year?

@Paul
PGs are almost never taken first overall. Besides Rose, the last true PG to be taken first overall was Magic Johnson, a guy who was 6'9" and arguably would have been the best player on the court at any position. Allen Iverson was also first overall, but it was for his scoring, not for his PG abilities.

Essentially, if a player isn't a PF or C, his chances of being the first selection are significantly lowered. If a player isn't at least a SF, they need to be twice as good as the next best player in order to be taken first.

shiki=4 seasons :
And i dont like “there are lots of talented guards and wings, but only a few truly elite center prospects.”It is right for most players,but wrong for KD.
There are more talanted guards and wings,but KD is such talanted that only several players have
A more interesting question is LBJ or Oden,which do they want?

As talented as Durant is... how many starting SF or SG in the league are big time scorers?? This is why there are many more PG's and PF/C type players taken #1 overall. Not saying it's the way things should be, but it is much easier to find a big time wing scorer than it is to find a top notch PG or dominate post player.

@shiki=4 seasons
I think LBJ or Oden is a different argument. LBJ was like Shaq or Duncan. It wasn't just that they were the best of their current year, it was that they were supposed to be league-changing talents. Oden was supposed to be the next big center, but he didn't have the "next MJ" label, nor was he the most dominant player in college. LBJ would have gone before Oden, but both of the top 2 teams would have been tickled pink to get either player (much like Oden-Durant).

@shiki=4 seasons
It also depends on the injury. Oden had a broken wrist for half his freshman year. But a broken wrist is guaranteed (or as close to guaranteed as an injury can be) to heal. If Oden had stayed another year and gone down with something in his legs/knees, he probably isn't #1. Those kinds of injuries are much more worrying when they happen on a larger stage (college).

And i dont like "there are lots of talented guards and wings, but only a few truly elite center prospects."It is right for most players,but wrong for KD.
There are more talanted guards and wings,but KD is such talanted that only several players have
A more interesting question is LBJ or Oden,which do they want?

If Oden has another injure,They dont take KD over Oden.

Watching Kendrick Perkins on offense is like watching a hippo trying to run on two legs.

Another thing I was just thinking about. What are the chances of a veteran or two signing at the minimum during the off-season, or would they be head more easily at the trade deadline if it looks like we are contending? With that who would be some ideal veteran presences to bring in? What positions would we target? Finally, does anyone have a list of those who would fit into this category, not just available FA but ones more likely to sign for the minimum. I was thinking someone like Ben Wallace or some of the veteran point guards out there. The reasoning being that they could help mentor some of the younger players, and their help might pay off with a ring for them.

@Paul

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q92

Does anybody know when the official date for the next cap is set is supposed to be? I was just interested in how much straight salary the Thunder will be able to take on, especially with all the picks we currently have, and what happens if we move up since those have greater starting salaries.

@shiki=4 seasons
That's why I wonder whether people would take Oden over KD if those 2 were in the draft this year. Most argue there are lots of talented guards and wings, but only a few truly elite center prospects.

NBA Gms dont want to miss 1 big man,although it makes them miss CP3 and Roy.And Blazers which missed Jordan in 1984,missed KD

KD gets $10M one year from Nike,Wall will get $5M from Reebok。It is obvious who is better.

At the time reportedly all 30 GMs said they would take Oden over Durant because you can't pass on a talented 7ft center. After a couple more injuries I wonder if the same draft occurred now if it would still be 30 GM's taken Oden over Durant.

Durant and Oden were both much better pro prospects than Wall.

While it would seem easy of Durant over Wall. I wonder what would happen to the Oden vs Durant debate. Obviously, Durant is a superstar now and Oden has been hurt, but when drafting it's still a talented 7ft verse a SF. The injuries might give a few GM's pause but Okafor had some back problems in college and he still went right behind Howard.

You could eyeball it.

Hollinger could fit a guy who waited to come over into a later draft by running his later european stats thru his more detailed draft prospect rater and slotting where he thinks he "should go" in that later draft.

With American players the college PERs are available though the draft may not follow simple PER that closely.

Durant over Wall for sure to me.

I've always wondered if there'd be a way to track where players who declare early or international players who don't come that year would go if they'd come out when they'd actually graduate or actually do come to Europe. Like where would Rubio be drafted when/if he finally comes to the NBA? Or Durant being a senior this year, does he get the #1 pick now?

There is this too

http://www.82games.com/barzilai1.htm

which is saying close to the same thing.

You might be interested in this thread lead by DSMok1

http://sonicscentral.com/apbrmetrics/viewtopic.php...

especially the first few posts

2 picks near 40 are about equal in win value as 26 though wins concentrated in 1 guy are more valuable.

There are a few others, but since the Thunder seem most interested in defensive centers out of their rookie picks these were 2 that were well received by most scouts.

Plus if the Thunder really are going by the Spurs model of expenses and player development we better draft at least another foreign player to stash for a later point in time.

Here are the player profiles of the 2 I'm talking about:

Tibor Pleiss
Center (Rank: #35) | 7-0, 220 | Age: 20
Germany ()
Hometown: Koln, Germany

Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted

Notes: Plays for the Koln 99ers in the German league. Averaged 8.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 17 mpg for the 99ers this season in Eurocup games.

Positives:

# Big guy with huge wingspan
# Energy player who is everywhere on defense
# Excellent shot blocker and solid rebounder
# Developing offensive game
# Great basketball IQ, fundamentally sound

Negatives:

# Pleiss needs to add weight and strength
# He lacks explosive athleticism
# Says he doesn’t want to play in the NBA for a few years

Summary: Apr 20 Update: Pleiss has a lot of NBA potential. He needs to get stronger but the talent is there. The bigger question is, when will he agree to come to the NBA. He’s stated on several occasions that he’d like to play in Spain a few years before going to the NBA.

Paulao Prestes
Center (Rank: #85) | 6-10, 265 | Age: 22
Brazil ()
Hometown: Monte Aprazivel, Brazil

Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted

Notes: Plays for CB Murcia in the Spanish League. Averaged 9.2 ppg and 7.3 rpg in 24 mpg in the 2009-10 season. Prestes declared for the 2009 NBA Draft, but withdrew after failing to get a promise in the first round.

Positives:

# Big physical player
# Long wingspan
# Bruiser in the paint
# Good rebounder
# Decent finisher around the basket
# Runs the floor OK for a big man

Negatives:
# Not a great athlete
# Not an explosive leaper
# No perimeter game
# Low basketball IQ

Summary: April 9 Update: Prestes continues to be what he is. A big, strong prospect with solid, but not spectacular production in Europe. An ankle injury could further hurt his draft stock. A potential second round pick.

Apr 26, 2009 Update: Prestes has declared for the 2009 NBA Draft. While has the size and strength to be a legit NBA prospect, his lack of athleticism or basketball skill will give everyone pause. However, he’s been fairly productive in Spain and a team may want to take a flier on him in the second round hoping his skill level improves with more playing time.

@Crow
I don't know if Miami wants the pick, but I've read multiple reports that the Knicks are trying to buy a 1st round pick, so this kind of trade would allow them to move up 10 spots in the draft which would accomplish their goal of trying to get the best talent available to lure a FA spot. We're not really expecting a ton of talent to be around at the 26 anyway so picking up some 2nd round picks that we can use on international players could pay off long term. Don't know if the Heat are interested or not since they already have a first round pick or not.

To me though trading down from 26 and drafting at 38 AND 39 would seem amazing to me since most people think 32 is too high for the Euro centers and 51 might be too late. I think we should be able to get 1 if not both Pleiss and Prestes who are 2 of the best available centers still in the draft. The Thunder could then let them grow and improve overseas and if they like them bring them over in 2 or 3 years or trade them. If they don't like them they can still try and trade them or as 2nd round picks they're not guaranteed so they could just let them go.

I assume these teams would prefer or might only do this is the guy or a guy they want was actually available right before 26 picks. If you don't really want what is available next yourself then such a trade is an option. Lots of options. Maybe you could talk your way into getting some cash and some future draft consideration as well.

But most of the game is played by your top 9. More guys with chances of development is nice but in the end you've got to make the top 9, top 6 and top 3 the best you can to have a stronger chance to beat the best.

I mentioned this in another post but found a team it might work with. I wonder if the Knicks would trade their 2 early second round picks (38,39) for a chance to move into the first round (pick 26). The difference between the player we'd get at 26 and 32 isn't really that different, however the 2 additional picks would def allow us to draft an international center like Pleiss or Prestes. It would also allow the Knicks to get into the first round to add a better player. Another possible team would be the Heat at 41,42,48 though I'm not sure if they want the guaranteed contract.

Not judging it immediately but noticed that OKC used its deep bench after the 9 man rotation less than any team in the west by a good margin.

Will be something draftees will have to deal with or fight hard to overcome. Doubt a smart free agent comes without a pretty strong minute assurance or acceptance of the situation.

Hadn't looked at Lance Stephenson before and wasn't much interested.

Terrico White, I'd keep my ears open; but on first read, I wouldn't use 32 on him.

Stanley Robinson, I'd like to hear more about. Seems interesting. Maybe not enough for 26 but if the choices got cut down a lot he might be alright. At 32 he could be good.

@Kivman

I gotcha.

I still decided to address Atlanta briefly. Maybe too briefly. That ownership group has been a mess. There might be a chance they leave some day but they are probably in the second tier of possibles rather than the first.

@Cpt. C-Note

Ebanks at 32 could be rationalized if you are putting being among the very best on defense above all else. A wing with no 3 point shot is not desirable to me and I would probably pass on Ebanks unless he is judged BPA available at 32 and you already have your new bigs or you don't like who is left.

The off the court stuff would seem to make him less likely. If they took him I'd think that he'd have to have a good interview and they might be more interested if they think he can play well part-time at PF.

@Crow
I know. I'm just having fun.

And I have lost all faith in Stern doing anything for Seattle. He's pretty much as low as you can get in my book. Howard Schultz is right there with him.

Besides...my loyalties are now with Durant, Westbrook, Brooks, and Presti.

Ballmer could just write a few checks, if he really wants to, but it might take Stern steering the team to him.

Anybody else will want it to be about basketball and concerts and other retail businesses or offices & condos.

I don't think the Hawks are going anywhere.

Seattle might get a team sometime later in this decade. It probably have to be as part of a big real estate deal. Somebody with the desire to develop or seriously upgrade an entertainment district.

@Steve H
Sure...first my birthplace Sonics leave Seattle and now you want to rip my current hometown Hawks away from me! Have you no compassion!!!

For the record, I live in East TN and get to go to several Hawks games throughout the season. They do not average 17,000 in attendance but they do have regularly filled arenas. The more popular teams are typically sold out (as they are elsewhere) and I'd say they are above average on mid-level popular games...but boy, the games like Timberwolves, Clippers and teams of that caliber. There is barely a soul outside of the lower bowl level seating. It's crazy. BUT, I will say, that a lot of people were assuming that was what the Thunder was like this year, so when I went to the Thunder game vs Hawks I got to move down to seriously AWESOME seats. Unfortunately I don't think I'll luck out that way next year. Haha.

But I'd say, overall; the attendance for the Hawks is pretty accurately reported from what I have seen. Just my thoughts on that.

Did anyone else get the same feeling during the US goal today that sometimes occurs when one of the Thunder players just throws one up at the rim as the shot clock is winding down and it goes in?

@heatcheck13

He's watching one on ebay right now.

@justin

avery bradley is not better maynor. not a chance.

@Anonymous

Gotta love the Mavs and Blazers doctoring their attendance records so they report over 100% attendance. wtf is that?

You're right. Attendance numbers don't mean a whole lot. Atlanta could be giving away tickets anyone who walks up to the door wearing a Hawks hat. Or a hawks shirt. Or clothes period. (Or more likely selling tickets at a huge discount, like $25 for 4 tickets, a pizza and parking.)

What really matters is $$$ at the gate.

I remember watching that game last summer. I was despondent, and surfing the net at the same time.

But then, when Altidore held off his defender, waited for the ball to go by, and kicked it into the goal, I shrieked like a school-child.

I hadn't known I cared that much.

Other unexpected "sports-bliss" moments: the 4x100 freestyle relay when Lezak finished strong to secure the gold; David Tyree's amazing catch.

What is with Atlanta? They picked some no-name assistant who is in line to be the lowest paid coach in the NBA. You know they are going to lose J. Johnson. Crappy attendance. They should just pack it in and move to Seattle. We could move to the Southwest Division, and New Orleans could take Atlanta's spot in the Southeast. Makes a lot of sense to me, and there is no way Seattle does worse than the half-empty arena I usually saw when catching a Hawks game last season.

Royce if you are hazy about all the best players and teams you should pick up FIFA 10. A soccer video game is surprisingly fun and I think it increased my soccer knowledge x1000

Is it just me or does that sound like Ben Stein doing the voice over work for that video? I keep expecting a ClearEyes promo to get thrown in. Haha.

As for trading Maynor and some picks for a pick and Okafor's contract...that'd be silly for NOH I think. NOH already has C.Paul, plus sophmore Collison. Seems they'd ask for N.Collison in that trade or another position at least.

ESPN reporting a rumor that Izzo might pursue Lawrence Frank as an assistant.

Neither here nor there. Lot of stuff has to happen for that to be an possible issue for us, but interesting.

@Mark!

Agreed. Backup PG isn't terribly important if Russ is playing 35+ minutes. I really hope he can hit the three pointer, though. Then you can play Russ and Maynor together more credibly.

@Royce Young

FWIW, I'm pretty uninterested in the #10 as well. It's Top 5 or bust for me. Much rather use our cap space on David Lee.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Maynor on the Thunder for a long time. He doesn't do anything that's going to wow other teams and make him a commodity, but he's cheap and he's not going to lose us many games. Could be a steady backup for years.

@justin

Yeah, Maynor doesn't get us into the lottery. Collison could do it, but I'm not sure what arrangement of contracts gets it done and makes NOR happy.

@justin
I didn't way the Thunder could get Okafor and the pick for Maynor. I was more just responding to the above suggestion of a 3 team trade where we get the #10 pick and bad contracts. Okafor supposedly has a bad contract, but to me he is solid enough. Even if we took Indy out of the picture I'd do a trade where we gave them Mullens or Green, or even some expiring if they want to give us the 13th pick and Okafor.

Lots of players I like better than Maynor possibly at #10. Avery Bradley, Xavier Henry, Ed Davis, Patrick Patterson. Maynor's a decent backup but it's not hard too difficult to find a players like him. I think Indy could do a lot better for the tenth pick.