[hbomb3300Participant]

 I just had a few thoughts/comments on his most recent podcast: 

1. Mitch McGary would not of been available at 29.  There were rumors that if he wasn’t taken there he would of gone at 22 or 24.  After seeing him in action during summer league he looks well worth the 21st pick.  This is the second or third time he’s brought this up.  I think he doesn’t even try to hide his irrational hate for the Thunder.  If Thunder fans can get over the Harden trade he should too. 

2.  I won’t disagree with the comments about Josh Huestes.  He probably would of been avaialbe in the second round, but at the same time I trust Sam Presti’s ability to judge talent.  Delaying his first round contract for a year was a smart move though.

3. At multiple points he complained that the Thunder were cheap and wouldn’t go for any major free agency signings.  The Thunder had the mid level exception available, around 5.7 mil.  They went after Pau Gasol hard but lost out to a team who could offer more money.  This is not a matter of being cheap, it’s a matter of cap restrictions and rules that must be followed.  In my opinion, the Thunder required no major changes in order to compete for a title this coming season.  All that is needed is internal development and good health.  Also, Anthony Morrow helps fill a big need in outside shooting on a good contract…  which is more than most teams can say this off season.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Simmons continues to follow a few opinions I totally disagree with, but his take on the Thunder are not one of them.

I don’t think he hates OKC at all, I think he is upset they gave up on Harden so easily, and in hindsight got absolutely nothing for an All Star. One year of Kevin Martin, a rotation big, and a guy who may have little to no NBA future.

The Thunder’s picks in this draft were weak. They could have potentially picked Hood and Early, and given them two versatile swing men who could have really affected their rotation. Instead, they get another big with not a ton of skill (On top of Adams and Collison) and a guy who may never play in the NBA. That was a bad draft, and criticizing it is fair in my eyes.

As far as the offseason, they did go after Gasol, but didn’t really do much else. They lost out on him, and settled for Morrow who hasn’t really played a meaningful moment in his career. Yes he’s a good shooter, but he’s a marginal player at best.

I just think all of this criticism is deserved. They haven’t done a good job at all since the 2012 Finals. 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Simmons continues to follow a few opinions I totally disagree with, but his take on the Thunder are not one of them.

I don’t think he hates OKC at all, I think he is upset they gave up on Harden so easily, and in hindsight got absolutely nothing for an All Star. One year of Kevin Martin, a rotation big, and a guy who may have little to no NBA future.

The Thunder’s picks in this draft were weak. They could have potentially picked Hood and Early, and given them two versatile swing men who could have really affected their rotation. Instead, they get another big with not a ton of skill (On top of Adams and Collison) and a guy who may never play in the NBA. That was a bad draft, and criticizing it is fair in my eyes.

As far as the offseason, they did go after Gasol, but didn’t really do much else. They lost out on him, and settled for Morrow who hasn’t really played a meaningful moment in his career. Yes he’s a good shooter, but he’s a marginal player at best.

I just think all of this criticism is deserved. They haven’t done a good job at all since the 2012 Finals. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

I’m not trying to say the Harden deal was good for the Thunder, but to bring it up EVERY time okc is discussed even 2 years later now is just ridiculous.   I disagree with your suggestion that McGary is "another big with not a ton of skill".  I think he will eventually be a better player than Collison, and considering Collison is going to retire soon a replacement is needed.  I would of liked Hood but it’s much easier to find a swingman who can’t play defense than a quality big man. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

I’m not trying to say the Harden deal was good for the Thunder, but to bring it up EVERY time okc is discussed even 2 years later now is just ridiculous.   I disagree with your suggestion that McGary is "another big with not a ton of skill".  I think he will eventually be a better player than Collison, and considering Collison is going to retire soon a replacement is needed.  I would of liked Hood but it’s much easier to find a swingman who can’t play defense than a quality big man. 

[Ghost01Participant]

That is fine, but you are assuming Hood isn’t going to play defense and assuming McGary is a quality big.

At this point in time, I’m not willing to bet on either of those 2 things. 

[Ghost01Participant]

That is fine, but you are assuming Hood isn’t going to play defense and assuming McGary is a quality big.

At this point in time, I’m not willing to bet on either of those 2 things. 

[FearTheStacheParticipant]

Big Simmons fan. My only criticism of this podcast is his take on OKC not signing big name free agents. I kept on thinking in the back of my head, " Isn’t it possible that big-name players don’t want to go/live in Oklahoma?" I know they have Durant and Westbrook, but it’s still not a desirable place to go, location wise.

[FearTheStacheParticipant]

Big Simmons fan. My only criticism of this podcast is his take on OKC not signing big name free agents. I kept on thinking in the back of my head, " Isn’t it possible that big-name players don’t want to go/live in Oklahoma?" I know they have Durant and Westbrook, but it’s still not a desirable place to go, location wise.

[Ghost01Participant]

This is something that a lot of writers seem to just ignore.

I actually posted a topic about an Andrew Sharp article within the last month where he was arguing the Bulls needed to have more cap space for Melo, and should have gotten more free agents to sign there because they make 30 million a year in revenue.

What he was leaving out of that logic is that:

A. You can’t just create Cap room out of thin air. Who knows what contingent deals they had set up if Melo agreed to sign there.

and 

B. FREE AGENTS GO WHERE THEY WANT TO! So many people don’t get this. LeBron went to a small market team that has blown multiple top 5 picks within the last 5 years, because he WANTED to play there.

[Ghost01Participant]

This is something that a lot of writers seem to just ignore.

I actually posted a topic about an Andrew Sharp article within the last month where he was arguing the Bulls needed to have more cap space for Melo, and should have gotten more free agents to sign there because they make 30 million a year in revenue.

What he was leaving out of that logic is that:

A. You can’t just create Cap room out of thin air. Who knows what contingent deals they had set up if Melo agreed to sign there.

and 

B. FREE AGENTS GO WHERE THEY WANT TO! So many people don’t get this. LeBron went to a small market team that has blown multiple top 5 picks within the last 5 years, because he WANTED to play there.

[JoeWolf1]

OKC drafted nicely last season with Steven Adams, and I know where they were going with McGary as Collison’s potential replacement. I just think they really reached for Robertson and Huestis. The ball stuck way too much in that second unit as they’ve filled their reserve ranks with defensive specialists. 

Slo-Mo would have been a nice facilitator, Early would have been the best pick, IMO. New York got an absolute steal in the 2nd round with him. Even K.J. McDaniels gives you defense, but with more offensive skill and less tweener factor than Huestis. I could go on, while I like Josh’s defensive ability, I think he was a bit of a reach.

Same with Robertson. They passed on Glen Rice Jr, Archie Goodwin, Ray McCallum, and Nate Wolters. While a lot of those guys don’t bring the same things to the table Robertson does defensively, they were better players, IMO.

They did pick Semaj Christon up for cheap, which I liked. While unsigned, he had a nice Summer League, and whether he gets a contract or not, he is young and his rights could be packaged in a trade if he goes overseas.

I initially hated OKC’s draft because I really liked the talent pool at the end of the 1st round, but after I’ve had time to let it marinade, I think it was just okay. A healthy McGary could be a gem, and Huestis could develop into a nice player….I just think Early, in particular, and other 2nd rounders in the 2014 draft will be better overall players.

 

[JoeWolf1]

OKC drafted nicely last season with Steven Adams, and I know where they were going with McGary as Collison’s potential replacement. I just think they really reached for Robertson and Huestis. The ball stuck way too much in that second unit as they’ve filled their reserve ranks with defensive specialists. 

Slo-Mo would have been a nice facilitator, Early would have been the best pick, IMO. New York got an absolute steal in the 2nd round with him. Even K.J. McDaniels gives you defense, but with more offensive skill and less tweener factor than Huestis. I could go on, while I like Josh’s defensive ability, I think he was a bit of a reach.

Same with Robertson. They passed on Glen Rice Jr, Archie Goodwin, Ray McCallum, and Nate Wolters. While a lot of those guys don’t bring the same things to the table Robertson does defensively, they were better players, IMO.

They did pick Semaj Christon up for cheap, which I liked. While unsigned, he had a nice Summer League, and whether he gets a contract or not, he is young and his rights could be packaged in a trade if he goes overseas.

I initially hated OKC’s draft because I really liked the talent pool at the end of the 1st round, but after I’ve had time to let it marinade, I think it was just okay. A healthy McGary could be a gem, and Huestis could develop into a nice player….I just think Early, in particular, and other 2nd rounders in the 2014 draft will be better overall players.

 

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