RealGM

So obviously the Thunder have made large strides since last season at this point but at this part of the season who would you like to see get +/- minutes or have their roles changed?

I'd like to see Ibakas minutes go up. I think Green's minutes could go down a few but mostly I think a role change might help him out.

I'd like to see Hardens minutes go up as well.

With Green struggling the way he has been and with Ibaka having a couple solid games maybe down the road some, a line up change might be in order. Harden has had his moments as well.

So I'm thinking of a couple different rosters.

Either A)
PG Westbrook, Ollie
SG Harden, Thabo
SF Durant, Green
PF Ibaka, Green, White
C Nenad, Ibaka, Collison

Or B)
PG Westbrook, Ollie
SG Thabo, Harden
SF Durant, Green
PF Green, Ibaka, White
C Ibaka, Collison, Nenad

With roster "A" you take out Green's offense and Thabo's D but swap it with Ibaka's D in the paint and Harden's offense. Green can bring the instant offense off the bench and pair him with Thabo and Collison.

With "B" you start Serge at center over Nenad, in efforts to bring in a defensive post presence. Nenad had no heart. Reminds me of Peja Drobniac.


Not a bad player but just not who you want starting at "C". Nenad would be a nice guy to bring in off the bench to hit a couple of jumpers and to spread the floor at times. But on nights when he has to go up against a rugged center he gets used.

I think I like "A" the best. Kind of reminds me a little when Radman would come in off the bench and start filling it up.

I also like that Green can go up against the back up PF's on the opposing teams. I think his confidence would take a nice little jump.


Anyway just some thoughts after the last few games.

I really like option B. I think by adding Ibaka's rebounding and Shotblocking next to Green and Durant in the front court we can maximise thier strengths and somewhat cover thier weakneses. He has fast enough feet to be a good help defender. Not to mention his insane leaping/blocking. Lets not forget he has a pretty solid Jumper, It's not on Nenad's level (which is questionable lately), but good enough to keep defenses honest! The only issue I can see with him is Foul trouble, that said if he could give us 20mins of rebounding and blocking then I am very happy with that! Add that to Russ and Thabo locking down the peremeter I think its a recipie for success.

Off the bench we have Nenad and Harden. They can run their pop and pick play that Russ and Westbrook do now, except Harden is more of a threat to hit the jumper if his man is lazy coming off the screen.

I am wondering if Presti thinks of Ibaka as a long term PF, or a longterm C? We have seen him play both positions.........

Anyways I really want to see more of him because not only is he crazy athletic but supposedly has a great learning curve. Plus I love watching him out there with his 100% effort and hustle. Durant/Green/Westbrook can learn something from him.

He's a super athlete with a soft touch, those don't come around every day.

I still think Ibaka makes too many mistakes to start at C.

I think they should continue with what they are doing, perhaps give some of Etan Thomas' minutes to Serge Ibaka, D.J. White or both.

slick_watts wrote:I still think Ibaka makes too many mistakes to start at C.

I think they should continue with what they are doing, perhaps give some of Etan Thomas' minutes to Serge Ibaka, D.J. White or both.

I agree whole heartedly. Starting Serge is not and the answer just yet. He is yet to prove that he can stay on the court for extended periods without fouling. More minutes is defiantly the order of the day though as he HAS shown that when on the floor, he is a constant threat to block shots and snag offensive rebounds and he has also shown an ability to give the bigger centers some difficulty with his leaping.