[jacobkeyParticipant]

 It seems like everyone so far is talking about this being a 6 or 7 game series but I get the feeling this could be one of those series that gets hyped up but doesn’t meet expectations.

I think whoever wins game one wins the series in 5 games and I think it will be the Thunder. If they can continue to move the ball the way they did against SA and keep switching picks on defense (which will be even more effective in this series) I think they can win.

OKC has better defined roles through their entire roster and half the time Lebron and D-Wade aren’t even sure what their roles are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChriJollParticipant]

I respectfully disagree, I think this series will fit the bill simply because of the firepower both teams possess.

I’m interested to see how the Thunder utilize Sefolosha.  I think his Defense will be one of the X-factors in this series.

[NYK2010Participant]

Neither team is great at rebounding in the playoffs and they both shoot a lot of jumpers.

Also both teams have a tendency to blow big leads so I doubt its a short series.

[eoeosao383883Participant]

I respectfully disagree, I think this series will fit the bill simply because of the firepower both teams possess.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

HOOPSWORLD recently overhauled the trade history page, which dates back to 2006. As it was being updated, some trades that included future draft picks at the time turned out to be surprisingly significant based on who was drafted. With that in mind we decided to breakdown some of the more interesting players who were selected with picks that originally belonged to other teams.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Marcus Thornton – Pick originally owned by the Indiana Pacers
Over the last couple of seasons the Indiana Pacers have been searching for a guard who can create his own shots and provide instant offense off of the bench. Unfortunately for them, they owned a pick that turned into Marcus Thornton, who fits that description perfectly. In 2007 they traded the 2009 second rounder that eventually became Thornton to the HEAT for the draft rights to Stanko Barac, who never played in the NBA.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

The 2008 first rounder turned into Ibaka, one of the league’s rising stars at the power forward position. Ibaka fits the mold perfectly for the Suns’ style of basketball. Even though his best years would have come after Nash’s prime, he still would have been a great piece to have a rebuild with. To lose him for nothing stings.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Kyrie Irving – Pick originally owned by the Los Angeles Clippers
There was a great debate over whether or not the Clippers should have protected the 2011 first-round pick that the paired with Baron Davis in exchange for Jamario Moon and Mo Williams (for a detailed breakdown of exactly why the Clippers couldn’t protect the pick, read Larry Coon’s article here). Due to significant restrictions and hurdles, though, they let go of the potential top-10 pick in a draft they felt was relatively weak anyway.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

It’s important to note that had the pick not been traded, there’s no guarantee the same player would have been selected. But, the team who received the pick, and the player it turns it, considers it a part of the package they received in return for what they shipped out.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Shabazz might be the most polished and NBA ready player of the bunch. Like Noel, it’s unlikely that he’s with UCLA next year as he could arguably be the top pick in 2013.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

If Cody shows improvement, which most assume he will, it’s going to be hard not to justify him in the top three in 2013. A lot of that will depend on who is picking in the top, but from a skill and size point of view Zeller might be the most known quantity in the top of the class.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

He is not nearly as skilled as say a Zeller or Muhammed, but he may be a little further along developmentally than say Noel.
 

[Ken SeansParticipant]

“I’m going to come in and bring energy, scoring, defense,” explained Henry. “I play an all-around game. That’s what they’ve been looking for me to do. With my knee healthy now, hopefully I can play this whole season healthy and have a great season.”

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Howard didn’t owe Orlando anything more than he gave them. They made their choices. They chose who to surround Howard with. They chose how to market and manage him.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Cleveland Frontcourt – The Cavaliers stomped the New York Knicks 98-64 and while they didn’t put in many minutes, the duo of Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller were impressive.  Thompson, playing in his first summer league after last year’s lockout, scored 13 points on 5-7 shooting in just over 12 minutes.  Rookie Zeller had 12 while hitting four of seven shots, for 12 in just 12 1/2 minutes.  Luke Harangody was strong off the bench with 12 points on 5-7 shooting in 17 1/2 minutes.  The regular season version of the Cavaliers is heavily reliant on the youth movement with both Thompson and Zeller integral parts of the team’s future.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

Future draft picks are included in trades so much that it’s almost surprising when at least one isn’t involved in a deal. They’re valuable assets that can help make or break potential trades, but they can also make trades that appeared to be lopsided turn out to be absolute steals for the other team if they draft the right player.

[Ken SeansParticipant]

The HEAT didn’t exactly cash in on the steal either, but there is still hope. They flipped Thornton on draft night to the New Orleans Hornets for Jarvis Varnado and a second-round pick yet to be conveyed still. Thornton had a solid two years for the Hornets before they ended up shipping him to Sacramento for Carl Landry.

[Author]

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