Most people have been disappointed with the selection of Aldrich to this point as they still call for that elusive “big man” to come swooping in and save the Thunder from their 26-13 record and first place spot in the Northwest Division. But the Aldrich pick was and remains about the future. Like everything else in Oklahoma City, it’s about developing talent.
So instead of sitting on the end of the bench, Sam Presti has utilized his options. Aldrich has spent the past few weeks in Tulsa developing his game with the Thunder’s D-League affiliate 66ers.
Wednesday, the 66ers were on NBATV as part of the D-League Showcase and Aldrich has his best game as a professional at any level. He scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked seven shots. He was a dominant post presence on both ends. And before you say, “Well this is the D-League,” yes that’s true, but Aldrich was playing against a guy many believe will be called up in the near future in Chris Johnson. Read more…
UPDATE: The team has officially announced Aldrich has been recalled.
It looks like Thunder rookie Cole Aldrich has been recalled by the team. Aldrich tweeted Monday morning, “Airport. Heading to Chicago to get back with the fellahs.”
There hasn’t been an official release yet, but I assume Aldrich isn’t pranking everybody. He spent almost two weeks in Tulsa and appeared in five games for the 66ers. In 27.4 minutes a game, he averaged 7.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Aldrich saw some much needed floor time in Tulsa and was sent down to develop some of his offensive game while also hopefully using the time to grasp some of the Thunder’s offensive and defensive system. It might not be the last time Aldrich is sent to Tulsa this season.
But with D.J. White out with an ankle sprain and Nick Collison sitting out of Sunday’s game against Golden State, the Thunder is probably looking to rebuild some depth on the front line. Aldrich might not see any immediate playing time, but he’s back with the team and at least available.
Cole Aldrich has been a healthy inactive the last few games. He’s been in a suit while Byron Mullens and D.J. White have gotten the nods as the last big men on the bench.
To which I say … so what?
People here and elsewhere have raised an eyebrow at minimum that Aldrich has been such a non-factor so far. Some have expressed alarm. And they have ammunition. Aldrich has less-than-modest stats through the Thunder’s first 14 games. He’s appeared in only five, averaging one point, two boards and two fouls in 10 minutes. He hasn’t seen the floor in six games and hasn’t dressed for almost that many. Of the players taken before Aldrich (No. 11) in the draft this summer, only injured Golden State forward Ekpe Udoh has played in fewer games (zero).
But the reality is that Aldrich’s status now has no bearing on his future value to the team. Scott Brooks said so himself by characterizing it as simply suiting up one young player instead of another, although you wouldn’t expect him to say anything else even if it wasn’t true. That said, I believe him. First and foremost, you can’t judge (almost) any lottery pick after only 14 games in his first season. And the deeper you dig, the more you find to make you realize there’s no reason to worry about Aldrich. Read more…
It wasn’t exactly a highly anticipated debut like John Wall’s or Blake Griffin’s, but the Thunder’s top pick in last June’s draft made his first appearance Sunday night playing 11 minutes.
Cole Aldrich didn’t have a line that jumps out at you – five points, two rebounds – but in the small time on the floor, we got a pretty solid look at what he can add and why he caught Sam Presti’s eye.
Aldrich made an immediate impact on the game, loudly dunking an offensive rebound for his first NBA points. But in just a couple possessions, he greatly affected the Jazz offense with his length and instincts. Here are two possessions I thought were good examples:
It may have not been a giant splash in the NBA universe when the Thunder traded their #21 and #26 picks to the Hornets for #11 pick Cole Aldrich and Morris Peterson’s $6.2 million dollar contract, but the ramifications of that maneuver revealed very interesting and very significant things about where the Thunder are at in the franchise’s young history and where they intend to go from here.
So let’s have a look at just what that maneuver means for the Thunder franchise:
1. The Thunder will not be players in free agency
All that cap space that so many people have been either complaining about (not using it) or raving about (we’re getting Bosh! we’re getting Bosh!!!!) regarding how to run a team and what the team will do in free agency and who they will go after.
Gone.
From Daequan Cook to Mo Peterson to the 11th overall pick in Cole Aldrich, that projected $15 million dollars in cap space has been widdled all the way down to about $6.6 million ($5.6 million if they re-sign Kyle Weaver) which is enough to sign a Mid-level type of talent but definitely not enough to make any kind of neon-lights signing.
Which the Thunder were really never in the running to make in the first place despite however many individuals pined after or hoped for Chris Bosh or David Lee to make their way to OKC. That scenario never resonated with Presti’s mantra and I’m sure most free agents never really viewed OKC as that undeniable dream landing spot for an elite NBA free agent.
(Morning friends. Thank you for your support of Daily Thunder. Go USA.)
So I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Thunder drafted this guy named Cole Aldrich. And one of the underrated aspects of Aldrich is his personality. I don’t know what it is about those Jayhawks, but much like Nick Collison, Aldrich has a pretty good sense of humor. Observe here.
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