RealGM

Hello OKC fans, I have a question.( I am not too familiar with the Thunder)

Whats up with Cole Aldrich? I remember in the draft he got all hyped up being the only legit C in the draft only to have him slip. I figured with the trade he would be a perfect fit with the younger nucleus of Westbrook/Harden/Green/Durant. Then we know Green was moved for Perkins and was signed long term. So whats up with Aldrich? Is he having trouble transitioning to the NBA game? Is he a bust? Has he been injured? Is he in a doghouse? Is Ibaka taking all minutes available for him? Whats up?

Noting is wrong with Cole. He's just learning how to play in the NBA, and Perkins/other vets is showing him how to adjust in the NBA. Last year he was lost, but last nights game he look pretty good.

He was disappointing last season but it's too early to call him a bust. He looked far more comfortable in his minutes last night and will have an opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation as Nazr's wheels continue to come off. I think he has some upside as a backup big man.

He is fine. Big men with minus aglilty have a tough time contributing in the first couple of years. Hopefully he can step up in Nazr goes down or ages on us.

He is going to be a very good backup Center, and could be a serviceable starter. He has a great combination of smarts, toughness, activity level, and wingspan.

Just needs to get acclimated to the speed of the game, and how to play our defense, big men take awhile.

I expect him to take over for Nazr at some point this season as the backup

fallacy wrote:I expect him to take over for Nazr at some point this season as the backup

I agree. And especially with the consolidated schedule I don't expect it to be THAT far in. Maybe game 20 he takes over as primary backup center. Of course, with Collison able to play both positions, we don't need somebody to go in and log 20 mpg...