Official Predict the Pick Thread

thecashshark · Post #1 » by **thecashshark** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:08 pm

Stock Lemon and many others have noted Harden as the guy, but I thought it would be fun to predict the Thunder's pick here so that we can look back and see who everyone said.

I'm going to go with Harden though.

http://stocklemon.blogspot.com/2009/06/ ... s-3-4.html

london sonic · Post #2 » by **london sonic** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:39 pm

Had Harden as my choice with 3rd pick since lottery.Could see OKC picking Rubio if Memphis pass on him and then trading him for Harden and a prospect/fut 1st.

wiff · Post #3 » by **wiff** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:57 pm

I don't want Rubio, but I can see the trade idea london sonic described.

I'd be happy with either Thabeet or Harden but I have a feeling at the end of the day Harden will be in OKC.

mattle · Post #4 » by **mattle** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:26 am

Rubio if available then trade down for Holiday/Harden + best available asset.

If Rubio is off the board, then Harden for sho.

Durantist · Post #5 » by **Durantist** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:49 am

Steph Curry

i<3basketball · Post #6 » by **i<3basketball** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:49 pm

James Harden

dre_1614 · Post #7 » by **dre_1614** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:48 pm

Ricky Rubio

indo · Post #8 » by **indo** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:33 am

If Rubio is there at three just take it!
It will be the biggest steal of the world.

TheUrbanZealot · Post #9 » by **TheUrbanZealot** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:59 pm

I'd highly consider trading down and nabbing Gerald Henderson. The more I saw of him the 2nd half the more I realize he would be a great fit. He's one of the top 3 if not the top defensive guard in the draft, he played under a pressure environment, his father was an NBA player (not to mention briefly a former Sonic), he's developed a midrange game, he has good basketball IQ, plus he's explosive! Him and Westbrook would be an excellent defensive tandem, and he'd make a great "3rd option" player. If they can some how trade down to nab an extra 11-13 pick in this years draft while still getting someone like Thabeet, I'd prefer that over just Harden alone.

I think Harden has the most talent in this draft, but I'm not convinced there is that big a disparity between him and Gerald Henderson, and I've seen both play extensively.

Post #10 » by **wizkid27** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:09 pm

Stickied this and merged a couple of other threads in so that we can use this as our thread leading up to draft day!

I'll probably create a separate thread prior to the draft for any discussion of during and immediately after. I plan on being logged on during the draft to share my (extremely insightful) opinions :-P

Post #11 » by **slick_watts** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:08 am

ricky rubio, traded for something.

Sid the Squid · Post #12 » by **Sid the Squid** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:42 pm

I'm pretty well convinced Memphis is keeping the pick and drafting Thabeet.

http://blogs.commercialappeal.com/the_m ... in-la.html

OKC is in a very interesting position at #3 with Rubio and Harden still on the board.

Smills91 · Post #13 » by **Smills91** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:24 am

thecashshark wrote:Stock Lemon and many others have noted Harden as the guy, but I thought it would be fun to predict the Thunder's pick here so that we can look back and see who everyone said.

I'm going to go with Harden though.

http://stocklemon.blogspot.com/2009/06/ ... s-3-4.html

Curious, what the significance of 'stock lemon' that you make reference to?

Smills91 · Post #14 » by **Smills91** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:28 am

I really think James Harden is a PERFECT complement to the Thunder. I'm not saying that cuz I want Rubio to fall to 4. Harden is the real deal. And I think Westbrook's game gets exposed as a 2. I think harden has the ability to spread the defense, guard 2 guards, and be a facilitator on offense for Durant/Green and Westbrook.

I think a Westbrook/Harden backcourt trumps a backcourt of Rubio/Westbrook. Even if Rubio is the 'better' prospect (like anyone can even know that, Napolean), The whole of the RW/JH combo is greater than the parts of the RR/RW combo.

Just my $.02 worth

wiff · Post #15 » by **wiff** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:31 am

Smills91 wrote:I really think James Harden is a PERFECT complement to the Thunder. I'm not saying that cuz I want Rubio to fall to 4. Harden is the real deal. And I think Westbrook's game gets exposed as a 2. I think harden has the ability to spread the defense, guard 2 guards, and be a facilitator on offense for Durant/Green and Westbrook.

I think a Westbrook/Harden backcourt trumps a backcourt of Rubio/Westbrook. Even if Rubio is the 'better' prospect (like anyone can even know that, Napolean), The whole of the RW/JH combo is greater than the parts of the RR/RW combo.

Just my $.02 worth

If Thabeet is gone I do agree with you that Harden is a better fit than Rubio.

Buts lets say that Presti for some reason thinks that Sacramento needs a point guards and feel they love Rubio and would give up a extra asset.

So lets play out this scenario just for fun.

With the third pick in the draft the OKC Thunder select Ricky (phone rings in the background, it's Petrie) Rubio.

"Hey Sam it's Geoff with Sactown. We really like Rubio is there anyway we could make a deal for you to possibly trade Rubio to Sacramento? Say we draft the next best player you like and possibly toss in something we both can agree upon"?

"Like say Harden and blank"?

Presti being the opportunists says "Sure what were you thinking"?

This is where you come in Smills you get to fill us in on the blank part. What does Petrie add to the package? But Smills just so you know if the sound "Ben.... or Ken......" comes out of Petrie's mouth ever in his offer you will hear an immediate click of the phone.

Post #16 » by **SD2042** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:50 am

I'll still hold on and say Thabeet to the Thunder. The Grizz already have Marc Gasol at the center position, same position as Thebeet plays. And with Darko already playing backup C, no need for the Grizz to draft him unless they happen to draft him for trading purposes.

One question. If the Grizz draft Thabeet and wish to trade him off what offers could the Thunder come up with if they want Thabeet badly?

Post #17 » by **wizkid27** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:18 am

Personally, I don't think the Thunder love any player enough to give up extra to get them (any player meaning Thabeet/Rubio/Harden). If I was in their situation, in a weird way, I might even want to have the #4 pick so that decision is made for you...

I think that any of those 3 guys would be a great asset to the team and would all bring about as different of skill sets as possible.

Sid the Squid · Post #18 » by **Sid the Squid** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:10 am

Harden was a complete dud during the tournament..This must be one horrible draft for him to be able to parlay that stinkfest into becoming the 3rd pick in the draft.

Post #19 » by **wizkid27** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:39 am

I think everyone's in agreement that he didn't show up much in the tourney, but players have bad games. I think that he is by far (right now) the best all-around pick for a wing player. There are a lot of guys in this draft on the wing with potential, but I don't think any of them have nearly as pollished of an all-around game as Harden. The two teams in the tourney blanketed him and his teammates didn't step up. If any team in the NBA wants to throw even two defenders on Harden, then I'll take the resulting easy buckets for our other scorers. I'm not sold on him as our pick, I just feel like the 2 games in the tourney are the only bad thing people can come up with to say about him. Every other top pick outside of Griffin has MANY more question marks right now.

DubaLakers · Post #20 » by **DubaLakers** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:41 am

Thabeet is the pick IMO MEM picks 2nd right, and I think OKC is making a huge mistake if they don't take him if he's there.