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First off, congrats on PG13. He's exactly what you needed and might stick around. I think you guys are the best fanbase in the league (evident from watching games at CEA) and will be really good next yr

I know they say hindsight is 20/20, to live in the moment and not have any regrets, but doesn't Bennett kick himself for not shelling out the dough on Harden? With Ibaka and the right complementary ring chasers, I would argue that you could have been better than GSW

Lol

Probably.

This couldn't be more obvious

Everyone makes mistakes. Bennet seems more willing to spend now. Live and learn.

Thabo Sefolosha wrote:This couldn't be more obvious

Yeah, I understand this isn't a groundbreaking post. Was just curious on your thoughts, having followed the Thunder and all

d-rose [heroes] wrote:

Thabo Sefolosha wrote:This couldn't be more obvious

Yeah, I understand this isn't a groundbreaking post. Was just curious on your thoughts, having followed the Thunder and all

Sorry if that came off as rude, we just get tired of hearing about what if Harden had signed an extension. Ownership definitely regrets it and is paying the price for it but shown that they're willing to change when we matched Kanter's offer sheet.

Yes, especially since the cap jumped so soon after.

Thabo Sefolosha wrote:

d-rose [heroes] wrote:

Thabo Sefolosha wrote:This couldn't be more obvious

Yeah, I understand this isn't a groundbreaking post. Was just curious on your thoughts, having followed the Thunder and all

Sorry if that came off as rude, we just get tired of hearing about what if Harden had signed an extension. Ownership definitely regrets it and is paying the price for it but shown that they're willing to change when we matched Kanter's offer sheet.

I know what you're trying to say but I hate to use that as an example of redemption.

No, The ownership group does not regret their stance on paying a tax. They do wish they would have had a crystal ball to know exactly what the cap was going to do. If Presti had known what the cap was going to do I think he could have found a way to keep Harden without entering the tax before it was acceptable. Ownership had a time frame for when they would be willing to go into the tax. They needed to get back a certain portion of their investment before they started to operate at a break even line instead of a profit line.

Keep in mind that the real killer was the Rose exception being added to the CBA after kd had signed his first extension. By the NBA boosting kd's contract from 25% to 30% of the cap it caused the issues down the line. The NBA later said they messed up and gave the Thunder $15M, the extra money on the contract, but the damage was done with Harden being traded. Russ signed a 25% contract when he hit FA the first time, although he could have demanded 30%. If Both Russ and kd are on 25% deals then Harden never gets traded.

What Bennett regrets is Sam Presti deciding to keep Ibaka instead of Harden which is what it amounted to. Once he signed Ibaka first for 50 million it simply didn't leave enough money to offer Harden. Ibaka was the expendable player, not Harden.

Kizz Fastfists wrote:No, The ownership group does not regret their stance on paying a tax. They do wish they would have had a crystal ball to know exactly what the cap was going to do. If Presti had known what the cap was going to do I think he could have found a way to keep Harden without entering the tax before it was acceptable. Ownership had a time frame for when they would be willing to go into the tax. They needed to get back a certain portion of their investment before they started to operate at a break even line instead of a profit line.

Keep in mind that the real killer was the Rose exception being added to the CBA after kd had signed his first extension. By the NBA boosting kd's contract from 25% to 30% of the cap it caused the issues down the line. The NBA later said they messed up and gave the Thunder $15M, the extra money on the contract, but the damage was done with Harden being traded. Russ signed a 25% contract when he hit FA the first time, although he could have demanded 30%. If Both Russ and kd are on 25% deals then Harden never gets traded.

Dang, yeah it's hard to have that kind of foresight. Oh well, hopefully now that you guys have PG, you'll attract another elite player and take out OKC

d-rose [heroes] wrote:

Kizz Fastfists wrote:No, The ownership group does not regret their stance on paying a tax. They do wish they would have had a crystal ball to know exactly what the cap was going to do. If Presti had known what the cap was going to do I think he could have found a way to keep Harden without entering the tax before it was acceptable. Ownership had a time frame for when they would be willing to go into the tax. They needed to get back a certain portion of their investment before they started to operate at a break even line instead of a profit line.

Keep in mind that the real killer was the Rose exception being added to the CBA after kd had signed his first extension. By the NBA boosting kd's contract from 25% to 30% of the cap it caused the issues down the line. The NBA later said they messed up and gave the Thunder $15M, the extra money on the contract, but the damage was done with Harden being traded. Russ signed a 25% contract when he hit FA the first time, although he could have demanded 30%. If Both Russ and kd are on 25% deals then Harden never gets traded.

Dang, yeah it's hard to have that kind of foresight. Oh well, hopefully now that you guys have PG, you'll attract another elite player and take out OKC

I don't think we want to take ourselves out

sleestak33 wrote:What Bennett regrets is Sam Presti deciding to keep Ibaka instead of Harden which is what it amounted to. Once he signed Ibaka first for 50 million it simply didn't leave enough money to offer Harden. Ibaka was the expendable player, not Harden.

They could have kept both. They really just should have taken Harder to the RFA market and matched that deal.


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Trading for Kendrick Perkins corpse was the move that killed them.

Westbrook, harden, Durant, ibaka... with two decent rotational pieces kills everyone.

They tried to go big while the league was moving small. They didn't realize Durant would become such a great PF and Ibaka was a true smallball center who could stretch the floor.

They had the pieces in place but they blew it unfortunately.

They are extremely talented this year though. George is incredibly overrated defensively but people dont realize what a great shooter he is now.

George at the 4 Opening up the floor for that Westbrook/Adams PNR. Roberson back to his off the ball cuts and wide open 3s. The thunder are a fairly dangerous playoff team again. Which they were absolutely not last year.

"Get Out the Way, Let the Real F. Ballas thru" - Juvenile

At the time, Lakers with Gasol-Odom-Bynum ruled the NBA, so it's normal they wanted to stay big. Heat started the other movement, but it wasnt easy to expect that

The Spurs were also playing big at the time. The Spurs continue to play big and no one questions it because they have a coach that knows how to make it work.

You always want to go as small as you can without giving up too much on the glass and you want to put your best players on the court. Perkins accomplished neither. He sucked. Hard.

"Get Out the Way, Let the Real F. Ballas thru" - Juvenile

GlenRiceARoni wrote:You always want to go as small as you can without giving up too much on the glass and you want to put your best players on the court. Perkins accomplished neither. He sucked. Hard.

"Get Out the Way, Let the Real F. Ballas thru" - Juvenile

You always want to go as big as you can without giving up too much quickness and you want to keep your worst players off the court. Perkins accomplished both. He ruled. Soft.