All Things Thunder Offseason Thread

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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#101 » by shakes0 » Thu Sep 19, 2024 8:53 pm

Clav wrote:Me too. Debridement [as you posted, it's clean up of various loose debris, it can be a lot of things] is not worrying to me, I'd say he'll be ready to go in the early weeks of the season, if not already when it begins.

We do need Kenrich to play better overall, I think he could be a trade candidate if OKC is making a bigger swing with the salary we can move. On the other hand, I do think it is reasonable to keep him on the roster long term because he expressed interest in staying with our franchise and signed with us, I'd like to keep guys on the team that want to be here.

He had the lowest PPG and Attemps-pergame [in his Thunder career] by a fair margin last season. All of his stats took a hit, lower rebounding, lower assists -- even if his per-36 indications were pretty similar, the minutes hard-capped him to a lower aggregate season.

So the stats kind of say he's about the same track if given more chances, but I thought via eye-test he wasn't as imposing as an offensive player. Giddey's departure means we will need to fit him in more, and I expect more usage this year. Hoping he gets his 3-pt attempts to 2.5, because at nearly .40%, that's ~1 make a game and I'd love to see that.


Do we really need Kenrich to do much of anything this year? I don't see him as a rotations player. I look at it as a bad thing if the team has to resort to playing him.

Chet
JDub
Caruso
Dort
SGA

Hartenstein
Wallace
Joe
Wiggins


That's 9 players ahead of him in the rotation. I'm hoping that Dieng and even Dillon Jones also pass him up. If Kenrich is playing that means either we have injuries or someone isn't playing well.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#102 » by Clav » Thu Sep 26, 2024 1:27 am

shakes0 wrote:
Clav wrote:Me too. Debridement [as you posted, it's clean up of various loose debris, it can be a lot of things] is not worrying to me, I'd say he'll be ready to go in the early weeks of the season, if not already when it begins.

We do need Kenrich to play better overall, I think he could be a trade candidate if OKC is making a bigger swing with the salary we can move. On the other hand, I do think it is reasonable to keep him on the roster long term because he expressed interest in staying with our franchise and signed with us, I'd like to keep guys on the team that want to be here.

He had the lowest PPG and Attemps-pergame [in his Thunder career] by a fair margin last season. All of his stats took a hit, lower rebounding, lower assists -- even if his per-36 indications were pretty similar, the minutes hard-capped him to a lower aggregate season.

So the stats kind of say he's about the same track if given more chances, but I thought via eye-test he wasn't as imposing as an offensive player. Giddey's departure means we will need to fit him in more, and I expect more usage this year. Hoping he gets his 3-pt attempts to 2.5, because at nearly .40%, that's ~1 make a game and I'd love to see that.


Do we really need Kenrich to do much of anything this year? I don't see him as a rotations player. I look at it as a bad thing if the team has to resort to playing him.

Chet
JDub
Caruso
Dort
SGA

Hartenstein
Wallace
Joe
Wiggins


That's 9 players ahead of him in the rotation. I'm hoping that Dieng and even Dillon Jones also pass him up. If Kenrich is playing that means either we have injuries or someone isn't playing well.



We really don't need Kenrich, but he's a nice luxury if playing well. I'm glad we have him on the roster, you make solid points about the rookie Jones and Dieng, who could have a breakout year. They need PT of course.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#103 » by Clav » Thu Sep 26, 2024 1:28 am



Presti's pre-season press conference is up. I will watch it in full in the near future and post again, but here it is for you all to check out.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#104 » by ThunderBolt » Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:41 pm

I listened to a few parts that people shared on twitter. I just can't do it this year. I'm all for thinking big picture and using anologies to explain how a team is built but I'm tired of hearing Sam downplay fan expectations. I don't need anything promised but embrace the expectations instead of running from them. This is the fun part!
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#105 » by Clav » Thu Sep 26, 2024 5:42 pm

No one get your hopes up, trust me, it's mostly the same Presti-speak that we've come to expect. I probably wasted an hour over two days watching it :lol:. Regardless, here's a recap if you're interested.

Quick summary:
-opening statement

* OKC has a chance to accomplish its ultimate goals and the team is excited and he's excited for the work they've put in
* Acknowledges that Social Media is a train we choose to get on or off of, have to manage players in today's world with it
* Nothing is given in Oklahoma, we can't expect perfect, have to earn our place, earn our respect, etc
* Skirted around the 'arrival' notion again
* He paints the NBA as a "one-year" chance each time, and we write that chapter, kind of a cliché 'can only do what's in front of us' statement, didn't talk much in opening statement about future positioning. This is the 17th chapter of OKC basketball.

-q&a

* Experimentation with 3PGs with Donovan was risky but seemed to unlock Shai, Marc is doing great things with the offense
* Chet playing C so well was nice, will experiment with PF at some point
* Equates team to being in a band (he's done this before). As I'm in a band, and have played sports too, I agree in theory.
* Talks about OKC fans really understanding what's going on with the team, and the future of the team.
* Building continuity, retaining continuity, adding 2 new players into the mix (Caruso/Hartenstein)
* The previous line indicates that Jones, Mitchell, will not be heavy contributors. Later says those two, and Topic, might have it easier learning and developing.
* Expansion commentary - he talks about the rules a bit
* Feels privileged to manage the team, doesn't feel the 'weight' of the job for the state's fans. [deflection]
* Possibilities defensively to make life difficult for other teams, wants to make teams work for points
* Talks about trading players affecting the internal feel of the team dynamics, and wants to improve internally rather than externally (ideally) - but its not off the table
* Compliments Jaylin Williams being a special guy -- he has infectious energy and selflessness to make the team better
* Former [NBA] players as coaches on the roster help out too
* Funny quote regarding analysing Caruso's defensive impact on Wallace (1 hour 2 minute in) "I don't wanna give some platitude answer, because I don't do that."
* Talks about Hartenstein's fit on the team, he is excited to see the result.
* He's not that thrilled about OKC not getting opening night game as the WC 1 seed, and no Christmas Day either, but happy to face that challenge. [For my money, if OKC had made it to the WCF or Finals, I think we get one of those slots]
* Mentions Caruso's upcoming extension "he fits what [OKC] values, we fumbled losing him from the Blue, obviously."
Okay that's enough from me - he ends on some chat about baseball players, books, and some other random stuff.


Overall - he's not putting a target on OKC, he's playing it close to the chest, he's not giving away strategy, he's not saying to 'expect' a 1 seed. I think internally, they expect a lot more but not trying to get attention. It's a fair conference, its long winded.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#106 » by slick_watts » Thu Sep 26, 2024 7:46 pm

both holmgren and hartenstein have been vocal about their enthusiasm to be on the court together, it makes me reconsider what the thunder's plans will be. i don't believe for one second that hartenstein's role on the team wasn't deeply considered during negotiations with him- i think i'm all the way up to 50/50 that they start together. i was probably 20/80 at the time of the signing.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#107 » by slick_watts » Thu Sep 26, 2024 7:47 pm

ThunderBolt wrote:I listened to a few parts that people shared on twitter. I just can't do it this year. I'm all for thinking big picture and using anologies to explain how a team is built but I'm tired of hearing Sam downplay fan expectations. I don't need anything promised but embrace the expectations instead of running from them. This is the fun part!


aaron wiggins will get at least one dnp-cd so that ajay mitchell or adam flagler can get some run.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#108 » by Mr Thunder Nick » Sat Sep 28, 2024 8:07 am

https://www.nba.com/news/karl-anthony-towns-trade-knicks-timberwolves

Wow. What does that mean for OKC. The Wolves one of the teams battling for a top spot in the west. I think Minnesota are the winners if Randle is healthy.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#109 » by cjmcallist » Sat Sep 28, 2024 10:41 am

Mr Thunder Nick wrote:https://www.nba.com/news/karl-anthony-towns-trade-knicks-timberwolves

Wow. What does that mean for OKC. The Wolves one of the teams battling for a top spot in the west. I think Minnesota are the winners if Randle is healthy.

I feel like MIN just took a step back. While I like their post-trade depth, I'm less worried about playing them.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#110 » by retrobro90 » Sat Sep 28, 2024 4:40 pm

cjmcallist wrote:
Mr Thunder Nick wrote:https://www.nba.com/news/karl-anthony-towns-trade-knicks-timberwolves

Wow. What does that mean for OKC. The Wolves one of the teams battling for a top spot in the west. I think Minnesota are the winners if Randle is healthy.

I feel like MIN just took a step back. While I like their post-trade depth, I'm less worried about playing them.


MIN fans seem to be split but I tend to agree with you. Randle is kind of empty calories and a possession eater on offense. Who knows what he looks like post injury too. This move was a cap clearing one for minny whose ownership is going to be tightly pursed regardless of disputes. I think they're marginally worse off but if DDV keeps up his outlier performance from last year it'll look better
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#111 » by ThunderBolt » Sun Sep 29, 2024 7:22 am

This trade seems like is made Edward's life a lot harder.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#112 » by Clav » Sun Sep 29, 2024 8:11 pm

It is definitely aimed at cap savings for Minnesota because with KAT, they cannot really offer Reid or NAW extensions.

For me, an avid Wolves fan along with our Thunder, I'm not too thrilled for Minnesota's sake. They lose a really good piece and player, KAT's shooting helped them a lot. However I do think he kind of gets in the team's way at times, he isn't a great passer or post player when needing to go towards the rim, he's clumsy.

Randle has a lot of positives as a player, but he lacks consistency and seems to shrink in all his playoff appearances. Minnesota's offense was always a bit clunky to me, trying to force possessions into their post players who have varying degrees of skill. Randle is at least comfortable operating there. Though I think Gobert/Randle will struggle too offensively via spacing issues.

DDV helps Minnesota as now they are 9 deep and have other bench options too.

We are in a good position to matchup with Minnesota, I'm a bit shocked they made the move to be honest. Will be curious to see how Wolves look on the court.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#113 » by Big nick » Mon Sep 30, 2024 12:28 am

cjmcallist wrote:
Mr Thunder Nick wrote:https://www.nba.com/news/karl-anthony-towns-trade-knicks-timberwolves

Wow. What does that mean for OKC. The Wolves one of the teams battling for a top spot in the west. I think Minnesota are the winners if Randle is healthy.

I feel like MIN just took a step back. While I like their post-trade depth, I'm less worried about playing them.

I think minny took a big step backwards I am for sure less worried about them and I bet Denver are overjoyed.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#114 » by Mr Thunder Nick » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:15 am

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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#115 » by Big nick » Mon Sep 30, 2024 7:05 pm

If you are a Thunder fan and not extremely excited something is very wrong. This is on paper barring injuries the best team we have ever put on the court. But they still have to play the game.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#116 » by Clav » Mon Sep 30, 2024 8:55 pm

https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release-trainingcamp-240929

Training Camp roster --

Notable inclusions that we maybe don't know --

Alex Ducas - our other TW signed player
Alex Reese - 6'9 F from Alabama
Malevy Leons - 6'9 F from Netherlands, played on SL team
Cormac Ryan 6'5 SG - played for SL also
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#117 » by Devilanche » Mon Sep 30, 2024 11:34 pm

Wondering if other west team will make a move.

I think wolves floor just got better but their ceiling just got lowered as well.

DDV will help as a guard but KAT is that much more unique than Randle. I do think Randle will be reflip at the trade deadline.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#118 » by slick_watts » Tue Oct 1, 2024 7:18 pm

i think kat was quite important for them offensively as a release valve. his #'s above the break compared to randle are hilarious. if i was minny i'd start reid and bring randle off the bench. kat is better than both those guys but they lose less with reid starting and randle could be a really good 6th man.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#119 » by Clav » Wed Oct 2, 2024 5:14 pm

All of Media Day's interviews are up on YouTube. Most of the players had their own mini interview with the Thunder broadcast crew after they did the video and media shoot. Kenrich's interview is pretty solid, as is Caruso's.

[Side note, I'm so tired of Barry Tramel]

I didn't see Dieng, Topic, Jones or our TW contract holders have interviews with the press corps.
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Re: All Things Thunder Offseason Thread 

Post#120 » by Devilanche » Sat Oct 5, 2024 10:03 am

Quite a good read.

Hope this is 1 thing he helps Chet expand on his own game.

https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-isaiah-hartenstein-credits-2011-finals-champion-for-his-vocal-leadership
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