Thunder sitting 6th in the draft as of today.

[wiff]

The Thunder are currently sitting 6th in the draft as of today and honestly I see them trying to win more games down the road to build upon the success instead of tanking.

Sitting 6th and that's not if anyone pulls a Chicago and jumps up in the top spot or the top three. Which typically happens with at least one team.

So who do they draft sitting at 6th -8th?

This is what we have talked about before with how the talent level seems like it drops offs quite a bit after the top 5.

But in the last month two names have surfaced that fill the need of the Thunders weaker spots.

Cole Aldrich and DeMar DeRozan.

nbadraft.net has the Thunder picking DeRozan at 6th.

DeRozan went nuts in the Pac 10 tournament and Aldrich has played really well this year and played great in the "Big Dance"


DeRozan has the NBA body and a surplus of athleticism. His game grew a lot in the last 6 weeks. Willing his team to victory in the Pac 10 tourney. Good thing for DeMar is that he wouldn't have to be the man or even the #2 man or even the #3 man. He'd be the 4th option and has time to round out his game. I would think he could really torture teams with the wide open looks that come with being the 4th option.

And then there is Cole Aldrich

7' of post presence. Seems to run the floor ok, can score in the post seems to rebound, defend and looks to have a decent knack for blocking shots. He may not have the defensive upside that Thabeet does but he could very easily turn out to be the better pro.

So out of those two who would you prefer?

(Wiz if you want to move this to the draft thread cool by me)

[wizkid27]

Ehh, we can leave it here due to the poll

If I had to make a choice specifically between those two, I would go with DeRozan. Our current talent at both center and shooting guard is decent, but not too phenomenal, so I would agree with you that we've gotta fill one of those holes. Aldrich seems a bit of a reach at 6th overall...

DeRozan is a heck of a prospect and could turn out to be an amazing pro, I would be upset at all if we ended up with him. Still hoping that we can hop up and get a top 3 pick due to the lottery.

If anyone's interested, here's a link that outlines the odds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft_Lottery#Process

At 6th, we've got around a 20% chance to end up in the top 3. The bulk of the rest of the odds are on us ending up with the 6th or 7th pick.

To me the groups of players at the top (based on how good of a prospect they are, not how badly we need them) are:
Griffin
Harden, Thabeet
Hill, Jennings, DeRozan
Ehh... about 6 other guys

[wiff]

I actually like DeRozan better than Harden. But to be honest it's based on the dirty word "potential". If I had to win a game today I'd take Harden but if I had to win a game in three years I'd take DeRozan.

Harden is more of a complete player but with less than spectacular hops. Where you can see the potential oozing out of DeRozan. But how many "potential" guys fade? Gerald Green is the first guy that comes to mind.

But again it's not like DeRozan would be expected to carry a huge work load on the offensive end until he works himself into that role.

[Durantist]

Enough with the triple P (prospect, project, and potential). I'm tired of losing. So the answer is "NO" on DeRozan. Check this out:
2004-2005 Sonics - 52-30, lost Western Conference Finals (4-2, Spurs)
Notable players: Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Nick Collison, Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Antonio Daniels, Danny Fortson

Talented?

[Durantist]

My apologies, Lost in the Western Conference Semifinals.

[wiff]

Well since you are all over it, who do you suggest? Apparently you have someone in mind who has the other "P".

Proven

It is a draft they are all prospects, who have potential. I just hope Presti is able to pluck a playa with da pick.

By the way you forgot Radman.

[Durantist]

I'm suggesting an impact player. Someone that could fill the needs next season. If OKC can't land Thabeet or Blake then they should look to trade their pick for an established Big.

[big L]

What's that trade? I think we'd have to move more than the pick to get an "established" big. I agree with you, though... the talent drops dramatically after the first three or four picks in the draft. Everyone else is a gamble.

[wiff]

Check this out:
2004-2005 Sonics - 52-30, lost Western Conference Finals (4-2, Spurs)
Notable players: Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Nick Collison, Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Antonio Daniels, Danny Fortson

Talented?

I'm trying to figure out what this means?

So you want Presti to draft two really good offensive players but don't play a lick of "D". Then add two decent back ups and mix in a whole bunch of scrubs and try to catch lightning in a bottle for one season?

[mcmokken]

I would take DeRozan too at 6th. He definitely shows a lot of promise. Not sure how effective Aldrich will be in the NBA. Both could be busts, but I would much rather take the risk with DeRozan.

[Joel Embust]

I agree with taking DeMar DeRozan. Kid's got major potential. Imagine Russell/DeMar (when ready)/KD/Green together on the floor. Highlight plays guaranteed.

[Joel Embust]

Check this out:
2004-2005 Sonics - 52-30, lost Western Conference Finals (4-2, Spurs)
Notable players: Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Nick Collison, Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Antonio Daniels, Danny Fortson

Talented?

I'm trying to figure out what this means?

So you want Presti to draft two really good offensive players but don't play a lick of "D". Then add two decent back ups and mix in a whole bunch of scrubs and try to catch lightning in a bottle for one season?

Haha, that was one helluva season! Jerome James played like an allstar and fooled the Knicks.

[SD2042]

More like fooled Isiah Thomas and stuck the Knicks with a hefty bill until his trade to Chi-town.

[wizkid27]

Haha, that was one helluva season! Jerome James played like an allstar and fooled the Knicks.

I definitely don't have the history you guys do... Didn't Jerome pretty much just come up big in one or two playoff series at the end of the season to get that contract?

[wiff]

Haha, that was one helluva season! Jerome James played like an allstar and fooled the Knicks.

I definitely don't have the history you guys do... Didn't Jerome pretty much just come up big in one or two playoff series at the end of the season to get that contract?

For that one single contract year Jerome James played consistently "OK".

First off he was in the best shape of his NBA career that one season. He played pretty solid "D". Not perfect or anything, the guy is Jerome James. But quite simply he played within himself.

He didn't try to do to much, he just did what he does best. He clogged the middle and would block or alter the shot. And on offense he would score when they called his number in the post. He did/does actually have a decent post game. Not amazing, but it's not like he is Reggie Evans in the post.

And he played really well against a slightly banged up Brad Miller.



I do love this picture though.

When Jerome got cut from the Sacramento Kings they gave him a garbage bag to clear out his locker. Nice to see some poetic justice even though Jerome is about as lazy as they get.

But he played well enough to fool Isiah.

But can you really fool a fool?

Or is it just playing games with his mind? But Isiah is so dumb he signs Jerome and then goes after Eddie Curry. He signed both of them the same summer. Isiah did it to himself.

[wizkid27]

Oh, I absolutely do not fault Jerome for coming up with a big contract (unless he specifically held back until that year, which we'd never know). Isiah is an idiot and I've never liked him, so I love when he gets made into a fool.

The story with the pic above and SAC is definitely a cool one in any case. Thanks for the background wiff!