Find the missing Link

[wiff]

I bet Michael wasn't smoking weed either when he had his amazing "Super Cool Beas" tattoo done last summer either.

[Bizz]

Hi I'm not a regular OKC fan but I love westbrook and Ibaka. As far as finding the missing link goes I think most out there agree that it should be a PF or a C but probably a C. If we look at what Presti has done in the past he likes defensive bigs that are athletic, can rebound and block shots. On this board there are a lot of people mentioning Haywood or Gortat. But I think Presti should look long and hard at Tyson Chandler jr., I mean European version of Chandler in Andris Biendris. Biendris is overlooked right now because he was injured last season, but he does everything Chandler does and is a few years younger or in other words young enough to be a core piece of this team. I'm not sure what his injury status is but I think he will be ready for next season.

The question is are Warriors willing to trade him? Thunder have enough assets to get him, cap space, picks, Green, Maynor depends on what Warriors would want. But considering they have 6th pick and ther are a lot of C's availible in that range, they could go for something like Collison, Mullens and a 21st pick for Andris Biendris. Warriors get out of the long term comitment which is good considering they are currently on sale. Get a stop gap big man and an expiring contract in Collison and basically 2 first rounders with Mullens and 21st.

Thunder get a starting C that plays defense, rebounds, block shots is long and athletic, but also injury prone. He would fit well with Ibaka and they would form one of the biggest frontcourts along with Durant, certanly big enough for most teams in the league. Some will say that him and Ibaka would be awful on offense, but I have high hopes for Ibaka he has soft touch and if he can develop a reliable mid range jumper, he will become good enough pick and pop, pick and roll player to give enough teams trouble. Biendris doesn't have a jumper but he can help on offense simmilar to Chandler, by setting good picks and trailing guys for put back dunks and alley oops.

A lineup of Biendris, Ibaka, Durant, Sefolosha and Westbrook would have elite defensive potential. And then you have guys like Green, Harden and Krstić coming of the bench for instant offense. With the cap space Presti should sing Korver for somwhere around mid level. And draft some europeans or project to stash overseas because this team has enough young inexpirienced players already. Better to sing somebody like Anthony Johnson to be the veteran leader and a insurance if somebody gets injured. And Thunder should hire a good shooting choach for Maynor, Sefolosha and Harden, since you need somebody to spread the floor.

My Thunder team:
Biendris 24min/Krstić 20/Ibaka 4
Ibaka 22/Green24/ White 2
Durant 33/Korver 15
Sefolosha20/Harden24/Westbrook 4
Westbrook 30/Maynor 15/Johnson 3

[sonictecture]

There are a couple of problems with Biedrins. After a couple of promising seasons in the rebounding and shot blocking department Biedrins has regressed, got paid, been injured and become a liability and a big risk.

Even in your own roster and minutes break down you have Biedrins playing just 24 mpg.

This team needs a sure thing or at the very least a smaller gamble. Don't waste Durant by over paying and gambling on a player with limitations that prevent him from becoming a difference maker.

There are two ways to look at the problem. Cash in your assets and go after a core quality player or look for a role player that fits into a small niche and salary slot.