This topic contains 12 replies, has 9 voices, and was last updated by billyk 14 years, 10 months ago.
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- Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 4:11pm #3752
gwh21ParticipantI really like the idea of OKC drafting Harden or DeRozan. I mean they really only need a SG and C but i feel Thabeet is to much of a risk and that he will be a huge bust in the leauge (dominated by Blair…a guy 9 inches shorter with limited explosiveness? BUST!!) Its a matter of weather they want the safer pick and get closer to a finished product (Harden) or swing for the fences and in hope that he will pan out (Derozan). From what I have heard, both are unselfish, which is good cause its KD’s team until he leaves.
The one side of me wants them to draft Harden. Good with or without the ball, gonna get you about 15/5/5 for his career i believe (roughly) and is a strong, tough and hard nosed player . He ranks second for me as far as safest pick goes (behind Griffin). All in all, he will be a good compliment to KD, can be a smaller Jeff Green for OKC in the future.
The other (and more fun side of me) says they should draft Derozan. HUGE upside, explosive as hell, and to be honest the though of him and Westbrook in the same backcourt makes me drool (easily becomes the most athletic backcourt in the leauge). The ceiling on him is, like what most have said, VC or maybe greater. But will he ever take control and want to dominate? Will he pan out? Those are huge questions that only time will tell.
I don’t want to be Presti if the both are on the board. Go safe and get another awesome compliment player to KD. Or go big and on potential and draft Derozan and potentially give you the most athletic backcourt and another superstar. (All assuming they dont get the #1 overall if then go Griffin).
What do you guys think?
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 6:02pm #147961
damaynman150ParticipantI know this isnt a topic about Thabeet per se, but I think OKC should draft him if he falls (which I dont have him doing currently).
I dont know why lately everyone has been so low on Thabeet… I wont get too hard into the details because there are other forum topics dedicated to it, but I’ve seen him play in person twice (1ce @ carrier dome, and one here at Buffalo up close and personal) and this is what I know:
-he’s pretty athletic for his size
-he’s definitely a difference maker on defense at the NBA level
-he WILL be a good rebounder at the next level, because he understands angles and boxing out
-he’s tremendously raw offensivelyWhat will he have to do to score effectively down the road? His first couple seasons he will be primarily a dunker, but honestly, so will Griffin. Going to OKC, they run the break a lot (8th in “Poss/48min”) and his athleticism will help. His size is enough to body to the hole and trust me: he has more touch than ppl give him credit for. Though he doesnt have refined post skills yet, he has a quick first step out of a back-to-the-basket post up, though idk if that translates in the NBA admittedly… If he can develop some semblance of a jumper, there’s no reason he cant be a 14pt scorer or so.
He’s basically tyson chandler with a better frame and slightly less offensive skill. Given that OKC tried hard to trade for Chandler last year, this makes sense to me. Until then, I really believe that he can put up chandler numbers next year (8.8pts/8.7reb) and develop from there. You have to understand in drafting him that hes not going to be a 20/10 guy right away, if ever, but he can be a huge asset defensively immediately and contribute on offense in the right place.
haha, all that said and i have him going number two to Washington because they need a C too…
I have Jordan Hill going to OKC (many similar reasons as above, though Im not as high on Hill)0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 6:02pm #147962
eprizzle14ParticipantPersonally I think they should go after Thabeet. He won’t take the ball out of Durant’s hands so you could improve his offensive game over time but he’ll be an immediate impact defensively. He’s only been playing ball for 4 years I think he’s going to be a top 5-10 center in his prime. I’m high on Derozan but I think he’ll take at least a couple of years to develop and for a team on the rise and tried to get a Big, (Chandler) I think they go Thabeet,
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 6:04pm #147963
damaynman150ParticipantCouldnt have said it better myself haha
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 6:37pm #147966
sheltwon3ParticipantI agree that Thabeet can be Chandler Clone but I am curious since when did Washington need a Center when they have Haywood, McGee, and sometimes Blathce. I am not even counting that European player who may be too soft but has the height. They could use a more solid 4 though. Also if i was them If Rubio is not on board I would trade for a veteran.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 7:37pm #147974
Al-Farouq AminuParticipantIf OKC slips beyond the #5 spot,
then I’ll go with my man Johnson, cause he has the size, athleticism, shooting skills.
James can be PF, Jeff SF, and Durant SG0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 7:42pm #147976
damaynman150ParticipantI’m glad im not alone in liking Thabeet!
As for Washington, you know, I did do some research and you are pretty much right – I stand corrected in the sense that they have a lot more talent invested in the Center spot right now than I originally gave them credit for.
Here is where I was coming from: McGee has a ceiling and Blatche’s got some talent too, though I think adding Haywood only hurt your argument haha. That said, I still feel Thabeet is a better prospect and is an immediate upgrade over either defensively and rebound-wise.
I was also unsure about taking Rubio with Arenas already on the roster, but since he is coming off that injury, who knows. I can’t say anything about Rubio b/c I’ve never seen him play but I’m never that high on taking Euros, esp if PG is not an immediate need. And I really don’t like the idea of taking Hill or Harden/DeRozan at #2 – too much of a reach. So by process of elimination I arrived at Thabeet, but after reading your comments and thinking about it, I might just have to change my mock if I think it will work like that, even if I politely disagree!
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 7:49pm #147977
sheltwon3ParticipantI understood where you are coming from but Thabeet is still too limited for Washington to take that high when they have some bodies at the Center position but like you said if he is really as good as people are saying maybe they trade Haywood. I also believe Wizards have to win now. Also they have hired a offensive coach in Flip Saunders. I could see him putting Arenas at the shooting guard position and running the offense through Rubio. Stevenson would be the starting 2 with Arenas at the point. I like Rubio better in this situation and Arenas off the ball would make him more dangerous.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 05/01/2009 - 7:54pm #147980
damaynman150ParticipantI’m gonna have to disagree with you in this sense: OKC will not move Durant back to SG again for a permanent role. in 2007-08, they had him at the Shooting Guard position and he was, to be frank, below average: he only shot 43% and an awful 28% from three point! Unacceptable.
This year, under Scott Brooks, they moved him back to SF and he played much better (47%/42%). Go ahead, and blame it on the jump from rookie to sophomore, and yes, it has something to do with it, but the fact that even HE agreed he was out of position means something. It would be counter-productive to put him back at the 2 when he thrives at the 3. So if they really want to upgrade the “Sefolosha/Collison/Mason” trifecta, they should have the balls to roll the dice on reaching for Harden or DeRozan at #2.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 05/02/2009 - 2:20am #148002
KantParticipantWe should think what can OKC get in the lottery before saying Thabeet. What if they get #2? #7? I think Griffin and Rubio are quite safe bets as #1 and #2 but everyone else depends on trials and the scout who looks at them. I’m not fully convinced with Thabeet, as the league and all the drafts are full of raw 7footers a la Diop, McGee (not up to their hype).
I’d rather focus on their play than their height.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 05/02/2009 - 5:08am #148007
rose2dabullzParticipantgo with thabeet, because their biggest need is interior defense..they got enough guys on the perimeter who can score..thabeet would go along nicely with jeff green/collison as well
0 - Posted on: Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:08am #148126
YoungChrisKyParticipantObviously the 1st choice would be Griffin if they do land the number 1 pick. U add Griffin 2 the great young perimiter talent OKC has and its a really scary good core of players to build on. I dont think OKC needs a 2 becuase as Westbrook grows i think his offense will take off and Durant will consistently be a top 5 scorer in the league for years 2 come. Sefalosha i think can hold down the 2 because every team needs a lock down defensive player that does the little things (Bruce Bowen,Raja Bell,Shane Battier). Thabeet has improved greatly compared to when he first got to Uconn. 7’3, athletic,fluid in movement, and a shot altering force already. People have to understand its not like he has been playing basketball all his life. He is still learning the game basically on the fly. Also its a fact big men take the longest 2 develope. I think at the least he will be Mutumbo. But if he does develope an offensive game your talking bout the total package,everything u could want in a center.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 05/03/2009 - 8:26am #148144
billykParticipantChrisky, do you undersatnd how good Mutumbo was… He was a 4 times Defensive player of the Year and he was 2nd in NBA history in shots blocked, Thabeet will he LUCKY if he becomes half the player Mt. Mutumbo was. Mutumbo is a future HOF…..
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