Who'd you rather draft? Hasheem Thabeet or James Harden?

[mcmokken]

It seems pretty popular so far to take Griffin at number one and Rubio at number two. There has been more difference of opinion at the number three spot and I'd like to know what the majority of people think. (You have to pick either Harden or Thabeet and say why).

***UPDATE: Now that we have the third pick, I feel this question is all the more relevant***

[slick_watts]

i would first see if there are any deals out there to package the #3 and maybe some other parts for a point guard, legit PF, or center. adding a thabeet or harden would be nice but that makes the starting lineup very young and inexperienced, when's the last time a team like that made it to the finals?

thabeet might have a future in the league but my concern is that it'll take awhile for him to figure it out, and this team (well, the previous team) has a long storied histories of drafting centers who don't pan out. james harden seems like a guy that can contribute right away, but i don't like drafting a SG to this team unless he's a knock out prospect who can contribute right away since shooting guards are a dime a dozen in this league and our point guard plays like a SG anyway.

i'd really advocate trading the pick here. i'd be a proponent of a chris bosh trade but other thunder fans don't seem so keen on it.

between the two players i'd probably take thabeet unless harden wows you in workouts.

[sonic-ben]

Harden will be a Bust

Thambeet ... could be a complementry player.... if He rebounds in High amounts
BUT HAS NOT SHOWN THIS AT UCONN

Yet I will trust in Sam Pesti

[wiff]

Between the two I'd prefer Thabeet.

All I want from Thabeet is 8 points off of put backs and garbage buckets. Some where between 8 and 10 rebounds (obviously 10 would be better) and 2 blocks with a bunch of altered shots. But it would be great if he is a defensive anchor in the center.

If he can give the Thunder that I have no complaints.

I don't expect him to be a Superstar or even an All-Star, I just want a reliable defender who will knock you on your butt if you come into that paint.

I don't even mind if it takes him a couple years to round out his game to 10pts and 10rebs and 2blks. This team has nothing but time. Durant is still 21 so is Westbrook. They have three years before they even approach the front end of their prime. Three years is an eternity in pro sports.

Plus with Krystic (he isn't my ideal center) he buys Thabeet some time before he is expected to start. I'd prefer Thabeet to earn his minutes, I hate to see spots simply awarded due to draft position. Ala Oden and even Thabo when he rolled into town.

So yeah I'd take Thabeet over Harden. Harden had two chances to show up in the NCAA tourney and he never did. Sure he has a throw back game but this team is really in need of a defensive center and Thabeet fits that bill.

Sure there may be some risk of bust but the same can be said of Harden who lacks superior athleticism.

Give me this guy!

[slick_watts]

only two players in the nba averaged 10/10/2 this year: marcus camby (former DPOY) and dwight howard (reigning DPOY). think thabeet can play at that level?

[wiff]

only two players in the nba averaged 10/10/2 this year: marcus camby (former DPOY) and dwight howard (reigning DPOY). think thabeet can play at that level?

Well if you read my post I said I'd be happy with 8pts and 8rebs with 2blks.

And if he develops into 10pts and 10rebs with 2blks, I'd even be happier.

[slick_watts]

you really wouldn't trade 8/8/2 (essentially kendrick perkins..) and jeff green for chris bosh?

[wiff]

you really wouldn't trade 8/8/2 (essentially kendrick perkins..) and jeff green for chris bosh?

Nope not in a million years.

You do know Chris Bosh is only signed through next season, then he can opt out.

So you are trading potentially Jeff Green and Thabeet for a one season rental of Chris Bosh then the guy can bolt.

So hell no are you insane? No way am I giving up Green and a top five pick for a one year rental of Bosh.

[slick_watts]

i think it's implied that in any deal for bosh he'd have to agree to an extension first (like garnett did).

[wiff]

Implied where?

Still no for numerous reasons.

Most of which you can find in any Bosh for Green thread in this forum but I'm not going to retype it all over again.

[mcmokken]

Interesting how it has actually come down to this decision since we have the third pick. Though I am a Harden fan, I predict Presti will take Thabeet, which is OK with me.

[PerkinsFor3]

thabeet would be perfect. westbrook and durant need the ball in their hands a lot, and green can create for himself.

there's not much need for a scoring center. what okc need is more defense and with westbrook already pretty good on d, and green/durant having potential thabeet would be pefect. thabo is a very nice defensive player but id prefer to see a guy like martell webster on the team @ the sg position. bring in thabo at sg or sf when you play certain matchups

[big L]

Implied where?

Still no for numerous reasons.

Most of which you can find in any Bosh for Green thread in this forum but I'm not going to retype it all over again.

Wiff, it's implied in every single trade proposal for Bosh on each and every board . I, for one, would trade Green and Thabeet for Bosh +.

[big L]

Incidentally, Chad Ford at ESPN has reported a rumor that the Grizz will pick Thabeet second leaving us Rubio. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[wiff]

Well I know I have already chimed in on this but now that the Thunder have won the 3rd pick this is the way I see it.

You take Thabeet and although he might struggle some I still see the team as a whole improving. Now next year since the Thunder own the Suns pick and their own 1st round pick do you think there might be a decent SG available say between the 10 and 17 spot?

You take Harden and he might come and fit right in and overall the team improves also. You think there will be a decent center available between the 10 and 17 spot?

Take the Center when you have the chance to, SG's are soooooooo much easier to come by.

When was the last time this team including the Sonics had a legitimate center?

[wiff]

Incidentally, Chad Ford at ESPN has reported a rumor that the Grizz will pick Thabeet second leaving us Rubio. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Well there is a rumor on RealGM

The Clippers, according to insiders that spoke with the Oakland Tribune, are enamored with Ricky Rubio and could conceivably select him instead of Blake Griffin with the number one overall pick.

So who knows maybe the teams work on a three way deal and OKC does end up with Griffin after all.

[PerkinsFor3]

as a clippers fan im 100% convinced we will pick griffin

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Incidentally, Chad Ford at ESPN has reported a rumor that the Grizz will pick Thabeet second leaving us Rubio. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Chad Fraud's an idiot and the only person out there that's suggesting that the Grizz would pass on Rubio for Thabeet. The Grizz GM and head coach are on a plane tomorrow headed to Spain to meet and watch Rubio in person. The Grizz aren't passing on Rubio.

[IanChang]

There is the rumor the Grizs tend to pick Thabeet over Rubio, so the kings might seek to trade with the Grizs for #2, but with the Thunder being #3 the deal is not likely for them, haha.

Chad Ford's prediction:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... aft-090519

BTW, he predicted the Thunder picked Westbrook in #4 last year.

[big L]

I think Chad Ford is an idot, too, but that doesn't mean the management of the Griz wouldn't do something dumb. At any rate, I will give Grizz Fan the benefit of the doubt and assume they take Rubio. He's not coming to the predraft workouts, is he? What are Rubio's legit measurements?