This topic contains 11 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar JHong621 13 years, 2 months ago.

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  • #24810
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    valentine

    I’m not a what if guy but i was sitting and thinking what if that Ping pong ball bounced a different way and OKC got the number 1 pick 2 years ago?.. Can you imagin a line up of

    Westbrook

    Theo

    Durant

    Blake

    Ibaka

    Green off the bench with harden

     

    What recrod would they have now?

    Would they try Durant at the SG again?

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  • #474794
    AvatarAvatar
    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    IF they would’ve gotten the top pick and gotten Griffin, there’s no way they could’ve gotten Harden.

     

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  • #474798
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    BKKnicksfan
    Participant

    Yea, Harden was the 3rd pick in that draft that year WITH Blake.

     

    I think they would be very good BUT I’ll say this: Blake isn’t a great defender at this point. I don’t know how good a defender he will be in 2-3 years from now.

    Chris Bosh, I beleive had 26 points on 11-13 shooting vs LAC

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  • #474799
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    But obviously a team with Griffin, Durant and Westbrook would be out of this world. Scary.

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  • #474800
    AvatarAvatar
    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    Griffin didn’t guard Bosh… Jordan/Diogu did.

    Bosh played well though. Not to take anything away from him, but it’s tough to focus on him when you have LeBron and Wade. Bosh sees a lot of open jumpshots when the Heat spread the floor and they run that pick and roll/pop. And then because he can shoot, he’s able to put the ball on the floor/go past defenders and either score or get to the line.

    Griffin is a decent defender for a rookie and he’s getting better every game.

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  • #474806
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    mikeyvthedon
    Participant

    Very talented, not to mention the other young talent they had. Still think the Heat would have the better trio, but the Thunder have potential. I agree with Knicksboy though, Griffin is not a shut down defender by any stretch, though he can get better with his strength, speed and athleticism. He is not incredibly long, but he has heart and the tools to be a better defender. Still, Chris Bosh went 6-17 against them, though he still ended up with 26 points. Still, that Thunder team would have three bonafide All-Stars, and would have Ibaka next to Blake. Would be very interesting, though I still have high hopes for the Heat regardless of scenario.

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  • #474811
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    I don’t know of too many rookies that come into the NBA as shutdown defenders.

    Griffin will never be a shot blocker, but he shows all of the signs of being a terrific on ball defender and being a key part of a great defensive team. He talks on the floor and communicates at the defensive end. He’s usually in the right spot (has taken quite a few charges this season).

    I think he can develop into a Karl Malone type at the defensive end and just one of those players who knows where to be.  

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  • #474812
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    LAKE SHOW

    oh yeah i forgot harden was in that draft.

    The only thing keeping Blake back on defense now is Experience and defensive IQ which will get better with time. He has the effort and the athletic ability but for the most part no matter how good a rookie is he will struggle on defense because the talent level is so much better on this level and they have counter moves and counter moves to there counter moves. Rookies don’t experience much of that in college so they have to adjust

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  • #474815
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    Another thing I like about Griffin at the defensive end is he has the versatility to defend the pick and roll. How many big men do you see switch onto LeBron and steal the ball from him? Not many, if any at all.

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  • #474818
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    BKKnicksfan
    Participant

    I saw him on Bosh a couple times and got toasted…that’s why I brought it up.

     

    I like him offensively and he has the athleticism to do amazing things, but he has to become a better defender in order to take that next step IMO

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  • #474835
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    I don’t remember him defending Bosh much, but doesn’t everybody get toasted in the NBA? I wouldn’t worry about Griffin at that end of the floor. He has all of what it takes to get better at that end. He’s not a bad defender now… Just needs to gain more experience, which he will with time. He gets better every game.  

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  • #474859
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    JHong621
    Participant

    Bosh went 6-17 for a FG% of 35.3%. However, he did take it to the charity stripe 14 times, converting on 13. Whoever guarded him wasn’t letting his shot fall, but he did beat them alot allowing him to get to the line.

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