RealGM

After watching a handful of your team's games this season. I wonder why don't you guys let Westbrook and Jeff Green play off the bench? I know they are part of your team's core unit, but I just can't see how they can fit together with KD.

Westbrook seems to be a bad for Durant on offense. With him looking to have the ball all the time on offense. And thriving with the pick and roll with Nenad Kristic. And he's also not a good kickout option for KD, whenever KD is thrown with countless double teams with the opposing team's defense, because Westbrook is not that good of a shooter.

Let's face it, Jeff Green and KD plays the same position. The thoughts of having KD strong enough to play the PF position ain't gonna happen anytime soon and it might never happen at all. And letting Jeff Green or KD guard the opposing team's PF creates a huge defensive match-up on your team's part.

Starting unit:
PG: James Harden
SG: Thabo Sefalosha
SF: KD
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Ethan Thomas

Off the bench:
PG: Kyle Weaver
SG: Russell Westbrook
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Nick Collison
C: Nenad Kristic

With this line-up. You got two set of five guys who compliment each other on offense and are playing at their natural positions.

The first unit revolves their offense around KD, which is what your offense suppose to be. Then he got two kick out options with Thabo and Harden. And two good frontcourt player with Ibaka and Thomas who can somehow anchor your interior defense. It's somewhat like how the Cavs starting unit is built. With two shooters at their backcourt and no true PG. And an offense revolving around their franchise player.

Then your second unit kicks in. It's a line-up with enough fire power to sustain your team's offense with Westbrook doing his thing and a secondary scorer in Jeff Green to help him. This also allows Jeff Green to play his natural position and could also create mismatch down the post with his size against opposing SFs.

The problem I do see is how the backcourt of Kyle Weaver and Westbrook is gonna work. IMO, if you are going into this direction, you guys need to get a legit SG, instead of Weaver to play with Westbrook. Another thing is the drop of minutes in both Westbrook and Green which could stunt their development.

But the brightside is that you'd able to develop Serge Ibaka and unleash his potential at the PF position. And KD could also learn how to take over ball games more efficiently with not having to just stand at the corner and watch Westbrook do his circus act. And lastly, this could also help James Harden with his game with his increase in minutes.

Russell Westbrook is not a great point guard yet, but James Harden isn't either. If Russ struggles throughout the season and doesn't show improvement then perhaps the Thunder look for a point guard in the draft or in free agency and shift him to SG. But I think they are commited to Westbrook this year at PG, and probably next year as well unless he really starts to go downhill. There's enough potential there to justify the experimentation.

The Jeff Green thing is more tenuous. It's obvious he's struggling this year, especially on defense against any real PF opponent. Many hope that Serge Ibaka can develop into a player, but that's too soon. Again, though, it's likely that Sam Presti and Scott Brooks will play out the year with what they have here and if they have to address the PF position in the offseason that's when they'll do it, either in the draft, free agency, or via trade.

James Harden and Serge Ibaka are intriguing prospects who both have the opportunity to be brought on at their own pace on a team that's currently winning more games than expected. Throwing them into the fire would not only jeopordize their confidence, but probably damage Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook permanently. This team enjoys very good chemistry so it's also worth it seeing this through from that point of view.

I think it's certainly within the realm of possibility that a PF will be acquired in the draft or free agency or maybe by some slim chance Serge Ibaka explodes and earns a starting role. Jeff Green would be a spectacular sixth man, in my opinion, but this won't happen until next year if at all.

The Westbrook thing will definitely play out the year, and probably next year.

I agree with slick_watts. We shouldn't rush Harden or Ibaka. They are rookies after all, let them ease into the situation and gradually get them more and more minutes if they deserve it.

the Ibaka/Thomas V Ibaka conversation reminds me alot of Westbrook/Watson early on last year.
The veteren is starting due to the Rookie's inexperience, but when inserted into the game teh Rookie is clearly outplaying the Vets. I have a feeling that this will play-out in a similar fashion (minus the coach firing) and Serge may be either first big off teh bench or starting by All Star Break.

Ibaka kind of reminds me of Danny Fortson, (minus the stellar free throw shooting), Danny was a guy I loved his heart and production when he was on the floor, but you just couldn't count on him to be able to stay out there due to foul trouble. The way Ibaka's handled the minutes he has gotten these past two games I would like to see a lot more of him as long as he is able to play aggressive but still keep the whistles in check.

Ibaka reminds me of rookie Tyrus Thomas, with a better jump shot and maybe a little less defense.

slick_watts wrote:Ibaka reminds me of rookie Tyrus Thomas, with a better jump shot and maybe a little less defense.

I don't like that comparison. Tyrus is much more fluid and not nearly as strong as Ibaka. Both are athletic freaks though.

This is fool's gold. Yes the Thunder will probably make it to the playoffs this season and for years to come but with Westbrook running the PG, the Thunder have no chance on beating the Elite teams in the NBA. We are looking at the next Denver Nuggets pre-Billups. I agree that Westbrook does not fit with KD. When KD played in Texas (I know im comparing College to the NBA) he had a slashing game and post game. In the NBA we do not see a single attemt from KD slashing to the basket when Westbrook is running the offense. Its just the simple down screen and pop up to the wing then KD must create. I know that the Thunder are doing well but they have the tools to become GREAT. Its up to management to compliment Durant.

Durantist wrote:This is fool's gold. Yes the Thunder will probably make it to the playoffs this season and for years to come but with Westbrook running the PG, the Thunder have no chance on beating the Elite teams in the NBA. We are looking at the next Denver Nuggets pre-Billups. I agree that Westbrook does not fit with KD. When KD played in Texas (I know im comparing College to the NBA) he had a slashing game and post game. In the NBA we do not see a single attemt from KD slashing to the basket when Westbrook is running the offense. Its just the simple down screen and pop up to the wing then KD must create. I know that the Thunder are doing well but they have the tools to become GREAT. Its up to management to compliment Durant.

I agree Westbrook is pissing me off sometimes but keep in mind he is only 21 years old. He is very young in NBA terms and already helps our team with other things he does like penetrate and activity level on the glass.