Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least somewhat thoughtful comments and so this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and for the most part, well put. Everything sic’d.
More good additions to the defining of success for the season. (Greg Evans): Personally, I’d like to see Jeff Green play better against “big name” PFs. I know Uncle Jeff isn’t a natural PF, but the Dirks and Boshs of the world just had their way with him last season. Kevin Durant needs to limit his turn overs. If Harden is the scorer OKC wants him to be, this will be a lot easier. I’d like to see that number fall closer to two per game. Lastly, if Westbrook could play a little less reckless (I know that defines him, but it would be nice) and just find some control. Many of his turnovers (or poor shot attempts) were because he attacked the paint when he should have been looking for the open man.
I like the optimism and the realisticness (word?), because I share it as well. (Brett): I think the 30-35 wins is going to be more realistic this year than 40+. We’re starting to mature, but we did get younger this year. Even though Harden is supposed to be the most NBA-ready rookie this year and did look good in Summer League, we still have to expect some kind of learning curve from him (even if only a month or two). The key for us will be what Royce discussed in the schedule post a few weeks ago… not stumbling out of the gate. Even though that will be a tough stretch, it will be important in setting the tone for the season. The roster sans Wilkins, Wilcox, and Watson will be stronger. Prestiand Brooks gave them their chance and they obviously didn’t take advantage. Other than our rookies, we’ve got players who we can know can, and will, contribute.
If we can get 40+ wins and compete for a #8 all year long, I think this team is poised to do great things a lot sooner than people realize. Outsiders can hate all they want. Three years and we’ll be making deep runs in the playoffs. Read more…
Smart Thoughts
Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least somewhat thoughtful comments and so this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and for the most part, well put. Everything sic’d.
Umm, a-freaking-men. (Danny): Last summer it was frustrating to have so much controversy hanging over my new NBA team. And it is frustrating to have the “OKC vs. Seattle” topic constantly relived by people in the national media (Simmons, for one). But Traber is simply hanging on to old topics and controversies that most of us would rather let die. As the Thunder improve, they will begin to make a name for themselves as a quality and exciting playoff-caliber team, and the old “OKC vs. Seattle” topic will fade away.
You mean, you don’t like 105 degree temperatures, constant wind and impossibly flat terrain? (J.G.) To me, the sheer fact that this has even become an issue reveals the over-sensitivity of either A) One individual who has a small but rabid group of supporters, or B) An entire state’s general population to the point that it sniffs of an unfortunate and needless inferiority complex. I think Nick is witty and spot-on, always have, and honestly, I think it would be even worse for Nick to say, “Man, nothing compares to the landscape of Oklahoma, not even the Emerald City.” I mean, come on, I live here and that would just be a slap in the face to common sense. I’m pretty sure that we can all agree that the weather and landscape are not what makes Oklahoma a great place to live, right?
So basically, it’s all been a little much ado about nothing for me…but I suppose this day was inevitable. It usually is when accuracy and research fly in the face of inaccurate reporting and opinions based on sensationalism instead of fact. Read more…
Smart Thoughts
Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least somewhat thoughtful comments and so this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and for the most part, well put.
Snarky? More like smarty. (Bang4ur$): “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.” Read more…
Smart Thoughts
Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least somewhat thoughtful comments and so this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and for the most part, well put.
At some point, just pull the dang trigger. (Justin): Are you guys alright with the team remaining so far under the cap the entire season? With teams bound to be racing to cut salary either for 2010 free agency or to avoid the luxury tax, it seems unlikely that the Thunder wouldn’t have offers to ‘rent’ their cap space. I’m still convinced that the rescinded Tyson Chandler trade had more to do with second guessing the finances than long term concerns about his health.
Now the team’s under the cap for almost the amount of money owed to Chandler this season, and he was succesfully flipped for the exact kind of player OKC needs (Okafor). In this instance I feel the trigger shy attitude of this management team got the best of them. Sam Presti probably has this year to still be given the benefit of the doubt, but if he isn’t active with all this flexibility next offseason it’ll be clear what’s what. Read more…
Smart Thoughts
A new little weekly feature we’re going to try. Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least thoughtful comments and so this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and well put.
Not the blue or the red one – the poison one. (Steve H): “Landing Gortat this summer would have required the sort of “Poison Pill” offer that Portland tried with Millsap/Utah- and as their example showed, even then it might not work. I do not think Gortat would be worth the $8-10million per it would have taken, but he would be a fantastic acquisition at his current price of $6+ per. I love the pairing of him and Krstic – our starting unit should be able to score in bunches without significant offense from the five spot- what it lacks is interior defense and rebounding.
Our second unit (Livingston, Sefolosha, Green and White) looks like a better defensive unit over-all that could really benefit from Krstic’s shooting ability. I still have my fingers crossed about landing Gortat this December – Mullens and a first rounder? Throw in a second round pick? Gortat certainly looks solid, but Orlando paying out over 1 million per average minute (after tax) on the floor seems plain crazy.”
Bringing home the prodigal CP3. (DSMok1): “By Wins Produced, [Chris Paul] is worth all of the Thunder’s roster put together. Seriously. In fact, he is the best player in the NBA by Wins Produced (above LeBron, Howard, and Wade). In fact, he is only the second player to go above 29 wins produced in a season (after KG from ‘03 to ‘05) this decade. If he were available … well, get him! He just carried an abysmal team to the playoffs (only Chandler and Posey were even above average!). Put Chris Paul and KD together, wait a couple of years, assemble a few pieces, and you have a title team. Seriously. Next year, you’d have a playoff team–even if you gave up Westbrook and Jeff Green. You would have the best tandem in the league, bar none. Of course, trading CP3 would be suicide for the Hornets. They better not do it!” Read more…
Smart Thoughts
