Presti's plan

[dream_catcher_9]

What type of team do you think he is trying to build?

From what I can tell he is trying to find long athletic players at all positions who can play multiple positions. On defense he seems to have a team defensive mentality, with a lot of help defense, and on offense he wants a lot of ball movement with drives and kicks.

Is this going to be effective in the long term, and what successful teams in the past have used this philosophy?

[dream_catcher_9]

I think the only mistake he has made so far is passing on Rubio. Presti could have traded Westbrook and a 1st this year to SacTown for their 4th pick last year.

Rubio/Ollie/Weaver
Sefolosha/Harden
Durant
Green/Collison/Ibaka/White
Krstic/Thomas

yes please.

[Krodis]

I wouldn't trade Westbrook straight up for Rubio, let alone Westbrook + a pick, and I like Rubio.

[Ontario]

Hustle team defense that traps, gets in passing lanes and pressures turnovers, (like you said a lot of athletecism and length), pushing the ball to pounce on those oppurtunities created, (not 7 second or less, but speed when presented with space). That is what Scott Brooks is looking for first and foremost, defense creating offense. On set offense we're predominately a pick and roll squad that requires a lot of player and ball movement to create space and we love to isolate for Durant.

Is it going to be effective in the longt term? The Seattle Supersonics won more regular season games in the 1990's then any other team in the league playing this same style, Payton, McMillan, Detlef, Kemp, Perkins... they had better outside shooting to create space, today we probably have more athletecism up and down the roster. It's possible Serge Ibaka could become the best center the franchise has had since Horace Grant.

Can it win? Absolutely. will it? We'll see.

[TheOGJabroni]

From what I see, he wants a balanced team. For every scorer (Durant, Westbrook), there's a talented passive player who does the little things (Harden, Green). They are all terrific athletes that he is bringing in and good character guys that can mature together. Your team is experience and a piece or two away from being very good.

[wiff]

First and foremost he is a building a defensive team. Presti came from the Spurs. He knows that on nights when your shot isn't falling you can still win with tough "D".

This team still is a work in progress. And I think it's still has a long ways to go to be considered a championship contender.

I like Green and I want him to be part of the Thunder but he simply isn't a PF. And in the past I thought that maybe Durant will eventually grow into being a PF. But really right now it would only take away a part of his game that makes him so deadly. Durant is best at SF. Since the guy can put the ball on the floor and shoot the long ball so well why plant him under the basket?

Right now other than Durant and Westbrook I think the other three starting positions are up for grabs. How long can Thabo keep Harden from starting? Is Ibaka going to surplant Nenad or Green for a spot in the starting front court?

This team still has a lot of room to grow, which is expected when you are the second youngest team in the league.

But I think Presti is doing about as well as you could hope for with his moves and draft picks so far.

And as far as Rubio goes come talk to me when the guy plays a minute in the NBA. Like Minny I don't think Rubio would have come to OKC either. So why create a headache for yourself when you already have a guy a PG who is improving and has the potential to be one of the best PG's in the league?

[slick_watts]

He obviously wants a long, rangey team that can play well on the defense end.

I agree with wiff about the starting lineup, only Durant and Westbrook really have a spot locked up. Jeff Green hasn't played that well, he's easily in the bottom third starting PF's in the NBA, possibly even bottom fourth.

[Balkman32]

C - (BOSH), Mullens
PF - Ibaka, White
SF - Durant, Green
SG - Harden, Sefolosha, Weaver
PG - Westbrook

With Thomas, Collison, Kristic, Ollie, Wilks and Livingston comming off the books in the next two seasons. This is the team we are looking at. I think a BIG time player like Bosh should be added to this team. Plane and Simple.

[Krodis]

If we were to get Bosh, It would be Bosh at the 4 and Ibaka at the 5 rather than the other way around.

I still don't know if I like the fit of Bosh, although he can be a great player at times.

[Clangus]

Bosh has been amazing this year, His value is very high right now I would think.

[slick_watts]

Just can't see us spending the $$$ on Chris Bosh. He's not a max contract player IMO, doesn't play well enough on defense to justify the expense.

I'd rather keep Jeff Green and add Brendan Haywood for half the money Chris Bosh would get, then maybe look for a backup PG.

[Julio]

Just can't see us spending the $$$ on Chris Bosh. He's not a max contract player IMO, doesn't play well enough on defense to justify the expense.

I'd rather keep Jeff Green and add Brendan Haywood for half the money Chris Bosh would get, then maybe look for a backup PG.

Agree, agree, agree with the last part.
Only way we get Bosh IMO is if we trade Green away .
Both would be stupid.
I like Bosh, but you're right on the spot on the not a Max guy and everything.

[slick_watts]

You know, I think that maybe David Lee could be a good fit on the team. I know he's not known for defense, but he's just so efficient on offense. His gross numbers are inflated by the D'antoni system, but his efficiency numbers are still extremely good.

If we had a legitimate starting center that could rebound and block shots, David Lee would fit in a lot better at PF than Jeff Green on this team. Especially if James Harden is in the starting lineup.

Of course he'll get grossly overpaid.. still an interesting thought.

[Julio]

You know, I think that maybe David Lee could be a good fit on the team. I know he's not known for defense, but he's just so efficient on offense. His gross numbers are inflated by the D'antoni system, but his efficiency numbers are still extremely good.

If we had a legitimate starting center that could rebound and block shots, David Lee would fit in a lot better at PF than Jeff Green on this team. Especially if James Harden is in the starting lineup.

Of course he'll get grossly overpaid.. still an interesting thought.

Big problem if we had a legitimate center who was playing the traditional way would be the spacing.
I may be mistaken but I don't think Lee has so much range. Having Westbrook, a traditionnal C and Lee, plus a spot up shooter only with Thabo would maybe make the things difficult on offense for KD.

I like Green's game as a fit, we just need a more traditionnal C, or we need to look more for Green/KD in the post.Too bad Green is not a good enough 3pt shooter.

[slick_watts]

I just look at Jeff Green's numbers, what he's producing and it's so underwhelming. In terms of what he's producing toward wins, he's just not very good at anything. He doesn't score efficiently, doesn't rebound well, doesn't get many assists, his defense is improved but he's no stopper. I know a guy like David Lee has his weaknesses, but at least he's really good at some things. I get tired of Jeff Green just being so pedestrian across the board..

[Julio]

I just look at Jeff Green's numbers, what he's producing and it's so underwhelming. In terms of what he's producing toward wins, he's just not very good at anything. He doesn't score efficiently, doesn't rebound well, doesn't get many assists, his defense is improved but he's no stopper. I know a guy like David Lee has his weaknesses, but at least he's really good at some things. I get tired of Jeff Green just being so pedestrian across the board..

Well, I would say Lee is a better specialist, Green could be the better player.
It's true that Lee is a good rebounder, but he's not a great scorer, not a great passer, and a bad defender.
What I wanted to say is that Lee is a bad fit with a traditionnal C, who would bang inside and take boards, because the path to the basket would be too much packed (Westbrook would really be kind of useless in that system).
IMO Lee is a good fit if you have a C that's an good defender, average rebounder and has a midrange jumper.
Kristic with better D would be perfect.

Anyway, if we assume that
-KD stays a SF,tough he tries to play more in the post
-Westbrook gets an average shoot, a one you have to respect
-Harden becomes what I envisage (good scorer, 2nd option for us, good shooter,good playmaker, all around kind of guy)

Then I guess Green is not needed, especially if he continues to play like he's doing;
IMO if/when that lineup comes true,
we need a defensive C, good rebounder, but not so bad on O that's we play 4 on 5 on offense.
A good 3rd option scoring PF, good rebounder, kind of garbage guy (or hustle guy, it's more sexy)

In an ideal world, that means Haywood( or Joel P) and either Scola Landry.
Then we trade Green for depth on the bench

[VictorPage44]

Like many have already said, OKC is an interior defensive player (or two--i havent seen enough of them to know how ibaka fits in), and a good backup PG away from being a legitimate contender. Plus continued progression from all the young guys.

If I were them I'd draft willie warren and sign brendan haywood (like a lot have already said). If kristic opts out, they'd have room to add another solid PF who can stretch the floor. maybe okur, haslem, al harrington (that is if hoopsworlds' info is correct and they havent been extended yet.

then, I dont think its necessary to trade Jeff Green. He isnt a post player, but he does add a lot of energy and athleticism. If they add haywood, i'd probably look to trade collison's expiring next season, and keep green to compliment haywood. Also, generally, OKC has most of their depth filled already. a hypothetical roster of:

Haywood/ibaka
Okur/Green
Durant/Green
harden/sefalosha
Westbrook/Warren

[Thundestruck]

I could be wrong but I can't see Presti wanting anything to do with Warren. That being said we have a long way until draft day. Warren just doesn't seem to fit into what the Thunder are trying to do.

[alphad0gz]

He is a very good offensive player with range now approaching 20 ft. Not great but it allows him to beat his man to the basket if they crowd him. He is ambidextrous and will finish with either hand. Everybody knows he can rebound. Everybody knows he is not a good defender. He is a good passer and he is consistent. One last thing, NY is not playing D'Antoni's "system" so nothing you see from anyone is inflated. The team is too undisciplined to run the SSOL system. We are currently not pushing the ball at all. Bottom line is that Lee would be extremely valuable to a team that can pair him with defenders.

[slick_watts]

David Lee has been in the top ten in FG% the last few years, is one of the best rebounders in the league, etc.

I think he'd fit great next to a half decent center.