Thunder Training Camp

[SD2042]

Ben Gordon was the first name that came to mind, but I was relunctant to bring up his name. His demands on a contract is a big concern as well as his height when it comes to playing defense. You don't want to bring in a player to pay max money to just to play in a 6th Man role. It would be a considerable risky move.

[wizkid27]

Totally agree with you SD, that's why I was reluctant to bring up him specifically

I would much rather wait a year to get the right guy than to commit to brining in the wrong one

Anyone watching the Thunder/Wolves game tonight?

[wizkid27]

here are my very brief and un-censored (albeit way premature) thought on the first preseason game:
-westbrook can play at this level once he gets used to the pace and a little bit of experience
-durant is trying too hard to be the superstar he is supposed to be
-i really do not know where green fits in RIGHT NOW other than backing up the forward spots
-collison/wilcox could be the frontcourt option for the near-term ala jeff foster/jermaine oneal (on a their good day)
-wilkins could rise above some peoples criticism to be the glue guy for this team

Not all of these are neccessarily popularly held beliefs, but this is what i saw in the first half + of the first preseason game with what i have seen in the past, after looking at this game I could see the minutes breaking down as follows:

Collison 28/Petro 20
Wilcox 30/ Green 18
Durant 30/ Green 12/ Wilkins 6
Mason 24/ Wilkins 16/ Westbrook 8
Watson 26/ Westbrook 22

This isnt really anything official, just trying to start discussion on what people think

Obviously doesnt consider guys getting garbage time minutes..

[Joel Embust]

I know it's preseason, but PJ is a **** moron.

The 2nd unit got back from a 13pt deficit in the second quarter and took a 9 point lead in the 4th quarter. Westbrook makes one silly error and he brings Watson in who again commits 100 turnovers and squanders the lead.

Watson -22
Westbrook +16

Those stats tell you everything. PJ hasn't changed a bit since his days in Seattle.

[SD2042]

TOs' were contagious in tonight's game between both teams. And the offense struggled at times and it cost them in the last few minutes of the game. From what you're saying Sonics-FAN, sounds like PJ has subpar sub patterns and recognize what does and does not work on the floor. if so, then the Thunder are in for some trouble.

[oksportsguy]

Come on guys this is a pre season game, they said they were only going to play a limited amount of minutes. The test will come when the regular season starts, and we'll find out if PJ has finally gotten it together.

[SD2042]

The next game is on Friday against the Kings. The Thunder need to work on their kinks like lessen the TOs' and making better decisions with the rock. The defense needs to be on point as well to prevent the opponent's offense from getting into a flow.


Friday's match

Thunder starters

PG Earl Watson
SG Damien Wilkins
SF Kevin Durant
PF Chris Wilcox
C Nick Collison

Kings starters

PG Beno Udrih
SG Francisco Garcia
SF John Salmons
PF Mikki Moore
C Spencer Hawes

[Joel Embust]

Spencer Hawes looks like Wes Unseld out there against the Thunder. At least try to make the second half a little competitive boys..

[SD2042]

Right now, the team is 0-3. from these games so far, who has left the best impression and the worse impression on the court as of now?

[wizkid27]

I think Westbrook has really shown a lot in all of the games... his PG play wasn't flawless or anything, but he sold me on the idea of him as the future PG for this team.

Green put up some good numbers in some places, but I really felt like he was playing with the mindset of "okay, this is preseason, and I should be a leader on this team with KD on the bench, so I need to show them that I'm really good." Basically, I felt like he was often forcing the issue and while impressed with his natural abilities, don't feel like I saw what I wanted to from him heading into the year. I also (at least for now) have given up on my ideal situation of him starting at PF next to Durant at SF... I felt like, while he was athletic enough to get rebounds and play D, he really didn't have the post presence or refined back to the basket game we'd need from someone starting next to Collison/Wilcox.

I think that Wilkins can step up and be a veteran presence on the team. I was really thinking I'd see this more from Joe Smith, Desmond Mason or possibly Earl Watson... but Wilkins really came across as a leader to me. He's not necessarily an outspoken guy, but I feel like he pushes the agenda that coaching/management is trying to put out there.

Petro is a backup center... a decent one, but I just don't see him getting it together to the point that he'll be our long-term starter. That said, I'm fine with having him backing up the 5 long-term.

Nobody else really jumped out at me... Byars looked pretty good on occasions, I really would like to see some of Kyle Weaver, but I'm not exactly sure what injury is keeping him off the court.

[SD2042]

Byars used to played high school ball here in the M-town a few yrs ago. More known for his athleticism and cuttin to the basket back then. when he got to vandy to play his last two yrs there, he started to upgrade his game by improving his mid range shooting and his defense. He's more of a low version of Josh Howard w/o the better perimeter game. I really like to see Byars to stick with a team whether it's with this team or some other team in the pros b/c I know he'll be a reliable contributor for some team.

[SD2042]

Thunder @ Rockets

Thunder Starters

PG Earl Watson
SG Desmond Mason
SF Kevin Durant
PF Chris Wilcox
C Nick Collison

Rockets Starters

PG Rafer Alston
SG Tracy McGrady
SF Ron Artest
PF Luis Scola
C Yao Ming

Defense and rebounding will be the main keys to the game. More likely this will be the loss for the Thunder on the road b/c the Thunder are not too strong in rebounding and are struggling offensively to get a flow going against the Rockets.

[Joel Embust]

How serious is Jeff Green's injury?

[SD2042]

It must not be that serious since I haven't seen any reports about more mounting injuries. How was Green injured btw?

[SD2042]

Thunder vs. Clippers

Thunder Starters

PG Earl Watson
SG Desmond Mason
SF Kevin Durant
PF Chris Wilcox
C Nick Collison


Clippers Starters

PG Jason Hart
SG Cuttino Mobley
SF Al Thornton
PF Brian Skinner
C Paul Davis

[wizkid27]

That's a pretty sad lineup for the clipps. Obviously it's not their true starters... but 2 or 3 of those guys are hardly even rotation players.

[SD2042]

It's precautionary since B-Diddy, Camby, and TT are dealing with injuries right now.

Thursday @ PHX

Thunder Starters

PG Earl Watson
SG Desmond Mason
SF Kevin Durant
PF Chris Wilcox
C Nick Collison

Suns Starters

PG Leandro Barbosa
SG Goran Dragic
SF Alanda Tucker
PF Boris Diaw
C Robin Lopez