Green and Durant's play as of late

[88' Draft Pick]

I have been rather impressed with the play of Green and Durant recently. Green has been playing with agression and spotting up from three with ease. Durant is playing with composure and is making some unbelievable shots. In addition, both have been shooting with great efficiency. They are turning into a pretty formidable tandem and both are only 22 and 20 respectively.

I see these guys completely lighting people up on a nightly basis in a year or two. Each of their games compliments the other's perfectly. I have noticed that the Thunder are finding mismatches with consistency due to their length and athleticism at the 4 and 3 spot. Hopefully this team can aquire some more consistent starters at center and shooting gaurd within the next couple years and have a pretty solid lineup.

[wizkid27]

Yeah, I definitely agree with you man. I've had my doubts about the two of them being our long-term combo at the forward spots, but I've also been pretty impressed with how they've handled it. My two concerns are still that they (and Westbrook) are all very even tempered guys... normally a great thing, but there HAS to be somebody with some fire. Mason, often times, is the guy that is doing all of the talking or looks to be the only one pumped up. The second concern, is that with the two of them (in their current forms) there is a huge hole with interior defense. I feel like with Petro/Swift we've got an acceptable backup to fill that void, but we'll have to put a very defensive oriented center next to Durant and Green in order for things to work out. Obviously we're going to have a pretty high draft pick, and barring a trade, I think that's where we have to go. From there, just pick up a shooter at the 2 and I think we've at least got a workable team. Hopefully we can pull this off over the summer and get pumped about the results next year

[ChrisTheFuturePaul]

I've said for a while that Durant and Green can/will work @ 3 & 4 as they grow up a bit, they do however need a big, athletic guy in the Dwight/Bogut/Chandler/Dalembert type of mould to be an anchor down low.

As far as the on court leadership goes, give that time. I think Westbrook can be a vocal leader for the team @ PG and his play of late has been really positive. I think his peak is All-Star for sure.

If I was OKC's GM i'd be shedding my expirings around the deadline and picking up a star quality SG or C who's a good defender. The club has received a strong following, despite their record. As discussed the chemistry and improvements in Durant/Green/Westbrook is looking great, they have a stack of expiring deals on the books, they should make a move ASAP to lock in another core piece long term.

[theokie]

Yeah, all three have played well lately, and they seem to be improving almost weekly.

I dont know if he will solve it, but I'd really like to see this team get Blake Griffin. I don't know how the lineups would work, whether Griffin would play at the 4 or 5.

But having Westbrook/(insert SG here)/Durant/Green/Griffin or Westbrook/Durant/Green/Griffin/(insert C here) is a very exciting possibiltiy to me.

I'm not saying it will pan out, and i know this team is terrible, but at least we have some glimmer of these guys getting better. Hopefully we can follow the Hawks/Blazers blueprint in getting better with a bunch of young guys after 2 -3 successful drafts.

[sonic-ben]

Sign Brooks as coach ...

because He lets them learn on the courtwith each other!

#1 Thambeet 7-3
SanAnonio #1 shooting Guard

[wizkid27]

From what I've seen Green and Durant both need to play at one of the forward slots to be effective. They could definitely develop skills to enable them to play the 2, but I don't see that being successful as they could be a the 3/4. That said, the only position I can realistically see Griffin playing in the pros is PF. If we got Griffin, who they pretty much have to pick for PR reasons, either Durant or Green is going to be headed out in order to secure a legit center or SG.

I've seen some of Thabeet, and I really haven't been that impressed (after you get over how tall he is). I would just hate for this team to take yet another flier on a center with "potential" but no trace of true basketball skills.

[theokie]

You really think they'd trade Green, and even Durant to make room for a rookie?

At least Durant and Green have established themselves to not be total busts, and if they do get Grffin and he does play the PF, would the more logical thing to do is move Durant to the 2 and Green to the 3? Or have Green come off the bench? Or have Griffin just play at Center?

Yeah i hope they dont take Thabeet. Thabeet, Sene, Ibaka, Petro, Swift, Collison..... I could really see this guy being another first round bust at C, so hopefully the ping pong balls fall our way.

[wizkid27]

I'm not saying I think that trading Green is a good idea. Honestly, right now, Green is the most consistent player on the team (Durant's more valuable, just seems like he drifts out of the game at times).

I really didn't like Durant at the 2 earlier this year and don't see Griffin as a center. I could see Green or Durant developing into a true shooting guard, I'm just not sure if it'll happen or not

Having Green come off of the bench and basically pick up 12 minutes at each of SG, SF, and PF is possible and it would allow all 3 of those guys to play 36 minutes without playing people out of position much. It's just always nice to be able to have your best 5 players on the floor at the same time, so you'd like them to naturally complement one another.

[canucklife21]

i strongly feel kevin can play the 2 and green the 3. i feel once u put a legit low post threat ( blake or even chris kaman) this will allow them to play there style of game alot better.. i love jeff however havimg him at the 3 will make the thunder a better team dont get me wrong he did a great job the other night vs chris bosh but for the thunder to become a playoff team
green needs to stay at the 3