RealGM

I think being dirty and tough are important factors in the NBA. Jordan's Bulls had Rodman, Shaq's Lakers had Fox and Horry, Duncan's Spurs have Bowen, Oberto, Manu just to name a few, and the defending Champs Celtics had Perkins and Posey. Point being is that Finesse could only get you so far, Miami Heat vs. Mavs, Dirk was pratically locked down by Udonis, another dirty player. So my question to you is, Are the Thunder too soft?

I disagree with the players you say are dirty. Therefore I wwill decline to comment on them.

Yes the Thunder could toughen up a little, but no need to play dirty.

I don't think simply dirty is the term. Dirty work type player is completely different. And yes, any team needs those guys to compliment the star players, but they can't be just hustle guys either. They need to have skill that is good enough to help the team so they are complete role players that can play in the rotation.

Thabo seems like that kind of guy at least.

I don't think the Thunder lack hustle or effort at all... which is usually seen as part of this discussion. What I do see them lacking is brute strength/muscle and fire. I may just be forgetting, but I don't believe that one player on this team has received a tech because they were pissed this year. Now, on the character side that is great and all... however, over the course of 82 games, you would like to have a few guys get fired up enough to say/do some stuff that they'll regret later because they're so into it.

On the muscle side, the closest they've got is Collison then ummm... Swift/Rose?? They just don't have anybody inside that the other team fears... at ALL. Even tonight against the C's, guys like Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis would help immensely in that area.

DJ White would be an improvement over any of the rotation players at PF/C in terms of toughness and physical play.

Sonics-FAN wrote:DJ White would be an improvement over any of the rotation players at PF/C in terms of toughness and physical play.

Definitely agree. We'll just have to see if, as bosFcelts said, he's got the talent to go with it...