When your team starts 1-11, there's a few things you can do.1. Stop paying attention
2. Look for positives and convince yourself improvement is coming
3. Call for your coach's head
4. Watch each game with your arms folded and with a cynical, "I don't care" attitude.
5. Start talking about next year's draft.
And that's what we're going to do here. Why not? It's clear that Oklahoma City will have another lottery pick, but the question is where? By no means am I giving up on the season, because we all knew we'd be in the lottery. It's just, there's not a ton to say about a team that 1-11 besides, "They stink." And plus, it's always fun to look ahead and dream of one player turning your life around.
So who is going to impact the Thunder the most? Who could be our Tim Duncan - the guy to take us from the bottom of the basement to the top of the townhouse?
Blake Griffin - Oklahoma
If OKC picks No. 1, this is who they take. No questions asked. Don't even think twice. Blake Griffin is your man. First, he's obviously a hometown guy. Second, I truly don't think there is another player in the country that can match him athletically or physically. He's the best player in the nation. Period. He's big (6-10, 260 lbs) but he's quick. He's developing a nice little jumper and the dude can handle the ball. I've been saying it before Fran Fraschilla decided to say about 14 times on national television - he's Amare Stoudemire, version two. Except honestly, at this point, I think Blake is stronger and more developed than Amare at 20. Blake is impossible to guard one-on-on in the post because he'll overpower you. He can face you up and take you off the dribble. And he's an ideal guy to run pick and rolls or pick and pops with. He will immediately impact whatever roster that he winds up on. Take him OKC. Take him. (Highlights)
B.J. Mullens - Ohio State
He's clearly got ability. He's 7-1 and is extremely athletic. But one thing about him is nobody will know if he will be NBA ready when he comes out after this year. Watching video of him, I see a little Greg Oden in him, just because of his length and the way he dominates the post. But he's so much more athletic than Oden. This pick wouldn't hurt OKC. He should be a nice post player in the future, but I don't see him as an immediate impact player. Right now, the Thunder doesn't need anymore projects and I fear Mullens would be one. (Highlights)
Ricky Rubio - DKV Joventut
I would love Rubio for a couple reasons:
1. To stick it to Bill Simmons. The Sports Guy (who is probably my favorite sports writer) is hell-bent on disrespecting Oklahoma City. He was outspoken about the move and now only refers to the Thunder as the SloppySeconds, the Bennett City Hijackers or Kevin Durant's Team. But he has also declared in two columns, that he has such a crush on Rubio that he "would move to whatever city drafts him." Welcome to OKC Bill. Give me a call. I'll show you around.
2. Because he's a darn fine player. At 17, he showed his talent in the Gold Medal Game against the United States in Beijing. He's extremely gifted with the ball, has excellent court vision and gets to the rim with ease. He looks like a combo of Steve Nash and Chris Paul, but with more size (6-4). If OKC took him, the Thunder might be labeled the Detroit Lions of the NBA having taken two straight point guards, but Russell Westbrook is more of a combo guard while Rubio is a straight point man. He runs a fast break with such fluidity and is awesome at penetrating and finding someone to dish to. One thing that concerns me is how much of a set-shot jumper he has. He gets basically no lift and he's got a slow release. Obviously, he did fine for himself against Team USA, but I don't know how well that would translate to the NBA. Also, he appears to be developing a bit of an ego and I'm not sure how thrilled he would be to play in small market OKC. All that aside, I am behind Rubio and would be buying billboards downtown begging Sam Presti to take him if Blake Griffin weren't involved. (Highlights)
Demar DeRozen - USC
Some are calling him the next Vince Carter. Is that a complement? I assume so, but I have to think he really doesn't fit into what Oklahoma City already has and what it wants to do. He dunks, he's freakishly athletic, but where does he play? Well, unless OKC wants to shuffle things around for him. Jeff Green would either have to move to the four or to the bench, Kevin Durant to his more natural small forward spot and DeRozen play the two. Otherwise there's a crowd. It's hard to ignore his pure, unbelievable ability, but unlike former Trojan guard O.J. Mayo, DeRozen probably won't be able to come into the league and play right away. He has absolute superstar potential, but sometimes those guys pan out and sometimes they don't. He's far from a sure thing and OKC really needs a sure thing right now. (Highlights)
James Harden - Arizona State
Get ready. I'm about to do it. I'm about to compare a black guy not just to a white guy, but to a Spanish guy. James Harden reminds me of Manu Ginobili, except without all the falling down. He's lefty, he's talented but he gets his points in different ways. He's not your traditional scorer. He's does little things well and scores a lot of awkward baskets. If the Thunder somehow fall to the fourth, fifth or sixth pick, this would be a pretty good one. (Highlights)
Brandon Jennings - Lottomatica Roma
For 6-1, the guy is a freak. He throws down windmills, 360s and reverse jams. He is the most "pure" point guard in the top 10. He's a lefty so of course, since when we make comparisons we have to stay within the realm of someone who is short, black and left-handed. So I'm seeing a lot of Kenny Anderson here, but with more athletic ability. Or maybe Dee Brown. Or Mayor Kevin Johnson. They all fit the dense comparison. But seriously, the guy can play but he really reminds me a little of Sebastian Telfair. A ton of hype, undersized and will have to understand that he can't come into the NBA and play like he did in high school. Passing lanes are smaller, jumpshots are harder to get off and getting to the rim is much tougher. He could definitely help the Thunder, but again, he's not a safe pick. (Highlights)
Hasheem Thabeet - UCONN
Let's see - Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Mouhamed Sene, Nick Collison... Hasheem Thabeet. Fits right in. One of these guys has to pan out, right?
But you know where most teams make the most strides? Those late first, mid-second round picks. The guys that turn into really nice role players or in some cases stars (Kevin Martin, Michael Redd, Kwame Brown, oh wait). These solid role players are what the Thunder need more than anything.
SLEEPER PICKS
Blake Griffin - Oklahoma
If OKC picks No. 1, this is who they take. No questions asked. Don't even think twice. Blake Griffin is your man. First, he's obviously a hometown guy. Second, I truly don't think there is another player in the country that can match him athletically or physically. He's the best player in the nation. Period. He's big (6-10, 260 lbs) but he's quick. He's developing a nice little jumper and the dude can handle the ball. I've been saying it before Fran Fraschilla decided to say about 14 times on national television - he's Amare Stoudemire, version two. Except honestly, at this point, I think Blake is stronger and more developed than Amare at 20. Blake is impossible to guard one-on-on in the post because he'll overpower you. He can face you up and take you off the dribble. And he's an ideal guy to run pick and rolls or pick and pops with. He will immediately impact whatever roster that he winds up on. Take him OKC. Take him. (Highlights)
B.J. Mullens - Ohio State
He's clearly got ability. He's 7-1 and is extremely athletic. But one thing about him is nobody will know if he will be NBA ready when he comes out after this year. Watching video of him, I see a little Greg Oden in him, just because of his length and the way he dominates the post. But he's so much more athletic than Oden. This pick wouldn't hurt OKC. He should be a nice post player in the future, but I don't see him as an immediate impact player. Right now, the Thunder doesn't need anymore projects and I fear Mullens would be one. (Highlights)
Ricky Rubio - DKV Joventut
I would love Rubio for a couple reasons:
1. To stick it to Bill Simmons. The Sports Guy (who is probably my favorite sports writer) is hell-bent on disrespecting Oklahoma City. He was outspoken about the move and now only refers to the Thunder as the SloppySeconds, the Bennett City Hijackers or Kevin Durant's Team. But he has also declared in two columns, that he has such a crush on Rubio that he "would move to whatever city drafts him." Welcome to OKC Bill. Give me a call. I'll show you around.
2. Because he's a darn fine player. At 17, he showed his talent in the Gold Medal Game against the United States in Beijing. He's extremely gifted with the ball, has excellent court vision and gets to the rim with ease. He looks like a combo of Steve Nash and Chris Paul, but with more size (6-4). If OKC took him, the Thunder might be labeled the Detroit Lions of the NBA having taken two straight point guards, but Russell Westbrook is more of a combo guard while Rubio is a straight point man. He runs a fast break with such fluidity and is awesome at penetrating and finding someone to dish to. One thing that concerns me is how much of a set-shot jumper he has. He gets basically no lift and he's got a slow release. Obviously, he did fine for himself against Team USA, but I don't know how well that would translate to the NBA. Also, he appears to be developing a bit of an ego and I'm not sure how thrilled he would be to play in small market OKC. All that aside, I am behind Rubio and would be buying billboards downtown begging Sam Presti to take him if Blake Griffin weren't involved. (Highlights)
Demar DeRozen - USC
Some are calling him the next Vince Carter. Is that a complement? I assume so, but I have to think he really doesn't fit into what Oklahoma City already has and what it wants to do. He dunks, he's freakishly athletic, but where does he play? Well, unless OKC wants to shuffle things around for him. Jeff Green would either have to move to the four or to the bench, Kevin Durant to his more natural small forward spot and DeRozen play the two. Otherwise there's a crowd. It's hard to ignore his pure, unbelievable ability, but unlike former Trojan guard O.J. Mayo, DeRozen probably won't be able to come into the league and play right away. He has absolute superstar potential, but sometimes those guys pan out and sometimes they don't. He's far from a sure thing and OKC really needs a sure thing right now. (Highlights)
James Harden - Arizona State
Get ready. I'm about to do it. I'm about to compare a black guy not just to a white guy, but to a Spanish guy. James Harden reminds me of Manu Ginobili, except without all the falling down. He's lefty, he's talented but he gets his points in different ways. He's not your traditional scorer. He's does little things well and scores a lot of awkward baskets. If the Thunder somehow fall to the fourth, fifth or sixth pick, this would be a pretty good one. (Highlights)
Brandon Jennings - Lottomatica Roma
For 6-1, the guy is a freak. He throws down windmills, 360s and reverse jams. He is the most "pure" point guard in the top 10. He's a lefty so of course, since when we make comparisons we have to stay within the realm of someone who is short, black and left-handed. So I'm seeing a lot of Kenny Anderson here, but with more athletic ability. Or maybe Dee Brown. Or Mayor Kevin Johnson. They all fit the dense comparison. But seriously, the guy can play but he really reminds me a little of Sebastian Telfair. A ton of hype, undersized and will have to understand that he can't come into the NBA and play like he did in high school. Passing lanes are smaller, jumpshots are harder to get off and getting to the rim is much tougher. He could definitely help the Thunder, but again, he's not a safe pick. (Highlights)
Hasheem Thabeet - UCONN
Let's see - Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Mouhamed Sene, Nick Collison... Hasheem Thabeet. Fits right in. One of these guys has to pan out, right?
But you know where most teams make the most strides? Those late first, mid-second round picks. The guys that turn into really nice role players or in some cases stars (Kevin Martin, Michael Redd, Kwame Brown, oh wait). These solid role players are what the Thunder need more than anything.
SLEEPER PICKS
Connor Atchley - Texas
This guy has solid contributor on a contending team written all over him. He's tall (6-10) and can shoot. He can defend and he has the awesome scrappy white guy stereotype.
Eric Maynor - Virginia Commonwealth
Want a perfect backup point guard or maybe the next Chauncy Billups. Maynor is your man. He's had four years in college, knows how to run and offense and knows how to lead a team. This guy has solid pro written all over him. (I guess my cliche sports phrase of the day is, "written all over him." You know, I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I just really need to step back and refocus. I'm getting better... ok I'm done now.)
Darren Collison - UCLA
Russell Westbrook's defensive running buddy. Collison is a nice point guard that can score a little but will be more of a solid defensive guard that's got floor leadership and nice game management skills.
Josh Heytvelt - Gonzaga
See: Atchley, Connor. But with a better post game and a little more scoring ability.
Curtis Jerrells - Baylor
A little Michael Redd but with insane slasher ability. He may not be a starter, but he'll be that type of pure scorer every team want to have waiting. He could easily be the kind of guy that puts up 14 or 15 a night in 20 minutes. He's got basketball player written all over him.
If Oklahoma City lands to the top pick, the official Thunderworld endorsement goes to Blake Griffin. He's an Oklahoma guy through-and-through. He can immediately impact the team. He fills a spot that OKC desperately needs help. And he's a great human being. Take Blake.
This guy has solid contributor on a contending team written all over him. He's tall (6-10) and can shoot. He can defend and he has the awesome scrappy white guy stereotype.
Eric Maynor - Virginia Commonwealth
Want a perfect backup point guard or maybe the next Chauncy Billups. Maynor is your man. He's had four years in college, knows how to run and offense and knows how to lead a team. This guy has solid pro written all over him. (I guess my cliche sports phrase of the day is, "written all over him." You know, I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I just really need to step back and refocus. I'm getting better... ok I'm done now.)
Darren Collison - UCLA
Russell Westbrook's defensive running buddy. Collison is a nice point guard that can score a little but will be more of a solid defensive guard that's got floor leadership and nice game management skills.
Josh Heytvelt - Gonzaga
See: Atchley, Connor. But with a better post game and a little more scoring ability.
Curtis Jerrells - Baylor
A little Michael Redd but with insane slasher ability. He may not be a starter, but he'll be that type of pure scorer every team want to have waiting. He could easily be the kind of guy that puts up 14 or 15 a night in 20 minutes. He's got basketball player written all over him.
If Oklahoma City lands to the top pick, the official Thunderworld endorsement goes to Blake Griffin. He's an Oklahoma guy through-and-through. He can immediately impact the team. He fills a spot that OKC desperately needs help. And he's a great human being. Take Blake.
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18 comments:
You might not have a team by the time the 2009 draft rolls around. SandRidge and Chesapeake both got CRUSHED today - each down about 30%. We're approaching the point at which Aubrey, Ward and Clay simply cannot afford to view the Thunder as a toy; at a certain point, they become a liability that must be shed.
Keep dreaming, dickweed troll boy.
If ANY of the current owners wanted to sell, Larry Nichols will be happy to pay cash....
It also looks like Clay and the boys will be keeping their 30 mil and that there won't be a Key remodel or a new team for Seattle...
Arena tax could be a hard sell in Olympia with tight budget
By CHRIS McGANN
P-I CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT November 16, 2008
"Bennett and the plan were no match for Speaker of the House Frank Chopp. In a casual discussion last week, Chopp, D-Seattle, made it clear his priorities have not changed when it comes to using tax money for stadiums. He noted that King County is struggling to maintain basic services such as police that should be addressed before new sports facilities."
Read it and weep....loser.
thank god for another blunder loss. I now there is booing for your own goddamn team 12 games into an inaugural season? i was under the assumption that you assclowns had the best fans in the league. what an embarrassment and a joke.
The Plunder represent the city perfectly. Losers. None of these guys will want to play for you, they want to play professional ball, in a major league city.
Slade, stop acting like a whiney bitch!
Thabeet >>>>>> Griffin
but taking Griffin would be the perfect move to keep OKC down. Griffin doesn't give you anything more than Wilcox does now.
Slade, I am honestly going to miss fighting with our sad, teamless troll visitors in the years to come. What will these guys do when the Thunder start winning? They already have depression issues in Seattle because of the weather- I'm worried we will be losing many of our anonymous visitors to suicide in the years to come. Tragic really.
a joke about suicide? really?
What makes you people think that you have only Seattle-based detractors? You're delusional. OKC sucks and so does your team. Now run along and support them like good little meth-heads! :)
Im a Pacers fan. Fuck the Thunder. Nobody likes or will ever like the Thunder outside of Oklahoma, so I guess you guys better get a grasp of the whole "us against the world" thing or keep crying like bitches.
Good lord... a Pacers fan!? We have more in common than you think.
These okies are delusional if they think their #1 draft pick will actually play in OKC. LOL
If Steve Francis and Kobe asked to be traded, and they were drafted to play in real cities, the okies are in for a shock!
Can't wait to see it.
Are all trolls complete morons? Is there some sort of test you have to fail to become a troll? Players go where they are drafted because they have to. That is why Indianapolis and Salt Lake are able to field teams. And Malcolm- and I assume that is your real name because Malcolm is way too gay to make up as an alias- nobody is whining here other than the trolls. Please- cite for me a whiny Thunder post. HA!- you can't because 1)there hasn't been any, and 2) because you probably don't know what the word "cite" means. I've got you either way. Suck it trolls!!!!
Thoese players don't have to go anywhere, your world class d'bag. The reason they go is for the money. It's guaranteed and everyone knows pretty much exactly what they are going to make based on their draft position. You suck it, dude. The big problem you morons are going to have is attracting and holding onto quality FAs. The exception will be those you MAX out, especially in a Bird Rights situation. That'll be few and far between, however, so you phaegs will have to overpay for whomever you get or keep, and these probably won't be the quality guys. So suck it, dude.
Steve H. writes (in crayon)Players go where they are drafted because they have to. That is why Indianapolis and Salt Lake are able to field teams.
1. You think OKC is as nice a place as Indianapolis and Salt Lake? You flatter yourself.
2. You think the likes of Ricky Rubio wouldn't prefer to play in the Euroleague, for significantly more money, in places where people don't eat their young?
3. You think you have a prayer of keeping Kevin Durant?
4. You think your pathetic team is going to get more than 30 wins at any point in the next ten years?
Alright, you got me. OKC is a living hell hole where lepers and hybrid man/animal creatures run wild in the streets devouring children. Seriously, where does all this fury against Oklahoma City come from? No, it ain't Paris-but we didn't invade Poland either. The Sonics owner moved his team and changed the name- he didn't knife rape any nuns as far as I'm aware. Save your wild assed- over the top rage for those who deserve it- like Nazis and Canadians.
Everyone's position against Oklahoma is simple. We are enjoying watching you not enjoy the Blunder. It's a gift that will keep on giving too. To make things worse, when the Blunder are finished embarassing you in the Ford Center, they you have to go back to living your miserable lives in that crap hole called Oklahoma. All while you try to convince yourselves and the rest of the world that you are big league. What a joke. You are the lowest of the minor leagues. The bung whole of the earth. I would tell you all to go to hell, but you are already there. Watching you have to endure 41 nights of embarassment is my pleasure, and it will only get better as the wheels completely come off.
All OKC can talk about is how great they are and what they deserved. Now they are getting what they deserve.
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