How Do You Feel About OKC Contending Next Year

[Jimmy76]

I think we have a shot. I'm going to guess a fairly conservative scenario for now but we can re-new the discussion as the off-season goes on.

Ill say we traded Green to move up and grab Orton and next year we run with

Westbrook/Maynor
Harden/Thabo
Durant/Thabo
Ibaka/Collison
Kristic/Aldrich

I think we'd have a real shot

[KidDelicious]

look im one of those guys that is on the the fence about jeff green and as much as i think hes not our long term answer at PF...

you DON'T trade Jeff green to pick up Orton. sorry.

Jeff Green is at least a solid NBA player already. you cant trade proven people to pick up guys that go in the early to late teens.. hell i don't even know if id drop Jeff green for any less than pick 5. guys like Jeff green are valuable in this league. don't blackball the man. he can ball still. hed be a starter at SF on a lot of teams. just because he doesnt have a real use in OKC doesnt mean hes worthless... and i believe a trading Green to pick up Orton would be an incredibly stupid move on OKCs part.

[Jimmy76]

look im one of those guys that is on the the fence about jeff green and as much as i think hes not our long term answer at PF...

you DON'T trade Jeff green to pick up Orton. sorry.

Jeff Green is at least a solid NBA player already. you cant trade proven people to pick up guys that go in the early to late teens.. hell i don't even know if id drop Jeff green for any less than pick 5. guys like Jeff green are valuable in this league. don't blackball the man. he can ball still. hed be a starter at SF on a lot of teams. just because he doesnt have a real use in OKC doesnt mean hes worthless... and i believe a trading Green to pick up Orton would be an incredibly stupid move on OKCs part.

ok we move up to 7 to take a shot at monroe boo hoo he's taken and we take aldrich as a consolation prize

edited lineup

[JasonDaPsycho]

All they need is a legit post player (eg Marcin Gortat) and there we go.

[Vybzkartel19]

After watching my Cs fall last night Iast night I got no sleep wondering about who could take out the Lakers next year. Four straight appearances for them would be too much. I feel like the Thunder are the only ones who can stop the Lakers from getting to the finals the next 3 years. The Blazers are a huge dissapointment for me. Anyways do you think a post player is enough since all teams will be getting twin towers to keep up with Gasol and Bynum. The Thunder's backcourt is pretty good and getting better. I'm interested to know what you guys think.

[Blad3]

Yeah, that roster looks like a contender, except sg, pf, C and bench. OKC needs a legit pf and Durant to step up to dominate the game to have any shot at winning a title. Too bad league is short on pfs. I mean Amare, Bosh, Boozer, they are all great but we don't see Duncans, Garnetts, Gasols coming in anymore.

[slick_watts]

I wouldn't move Green for a draft pick unless we got someone we know will contribute.

I don't think that's a contending team unless James Harden takes off and becomes a star player. Especially with that bench. We need Green on that bench for some scoring output.

We're a player away from contending IMO. Either through FA, trade, or maybe someone on the team becomes that player.

[wiff]

I wouldn't move Green for a draft pick unless we got someone we know will contribute.

Yeah I don't see them moving Green for an unproven kid unless their potential is sky high like John Wall high.

I really think Green off the bench would be ideal not just for the Thunder but for Jeff Green too. He's versatile can cover both positions defensively. Better with SF's than PF's but against other back up PF he should be adequate. Typically back up PF's tend to be a little smaller.

Plus if Durant picks up two quick fouls throw in Green. Ibaka picks up two quick fousls throw in Green.

He really is the perfect 6th man.

Collison, Green, Thabo and Maynor is a great second unit.

I think this team has a legit chance to be top 4 in the West. Home court in the first round and who knows what happens after that. So much has to do with guys being healthy. The Thunder were very fortunate in that regard last season.

If they can get a Kendrick Perkins type center they should be in great shape.

Personally I think Ibaka has a bigger offensive game than what he showed last season. I think Brooks wanted Ibaka "to let the game come to him" so to speak. But I think if Ibaka wanted to force the issue he could be a decent option in the post. Not Chris Bosh or anything like that, but I don't think the kid is a deer in headlights down there. Plus he's only 20 he'll only get better and develop more of a post game.

[slick_watts]

I'm not sure I get the 'Kendrick Perkins type center' thing. We were a great defensive team but struggled on offense.. especially if we start Ibaka, we should be aiming for a front court guy with a bit more of an offensive game. Our defense was great against the Lakers, we got beat on the defensive boards and we couldn't score at all.

[dream_catcher_9]

I'm not sure I get the 'Kendrick Perkins type center' thing. We were a great defensive team but struggled on offense.. especially if we start Ibaka, we should be aiming for a front court guy with a bit more of an offensive game. Our defense was great against the Lakers, we got beat on the defensive boards and we couldn't score at all.

Our defense while good could definitely get better. Presti came from the Spurs org and knows what elite defense looks like. I guarantee you he is not satisfied with our defense. Remember our identity is defense first and it will always be that.

[slick_watts]

I'm not sure I get the 'Kendrick Perkins type center' thing. We were a great defensive team but struggled on offense.. especially if we start Ibaka, we should be aiming for a front court guy with a bit more of an offensive game. Our defense was great against the Lakers, we got beat on the defensive boards and we couldn't score at all.

Our defense while good could definitely get better. Presti came from the Spurs org and knows what elite defense looks like. I guarantee you he is not satisfied with our defense. Remember our identity is defense first and it will always be that.

Big difference Spurs had Tim Duncan, a top five defensive anchor in NBA history. Say whatever you want about defense, we're not going to win with an offense looking like it did against the Lakers...

Offense is just as important as defense.

[dream_catcher_9]

I'm not sure I get the 'Kendrick Perkins type center' thing. We were a great defensive team but struggled on offense.. especially if we start Ibaka, we should be aiming for a front court guy with a bit more of an offensive game. Our defense was great against the Lakers, we got beat on the defensive boards and we couldn't score at all.

Our defense while good could definitely get better. Presti came from the Spurs org and knows what elite defense looks like. I guarantee you he is not satisfied with our defense. Remember our identity is defense first and it will always be that.

Big difference Spurs had Tim Duncan, a top five defensive anchor in NBA history. Say whatever you want about defense, we're not going to win with an offense looking like it did against the Lakers...

Offense is just as important as defense.

get out of here...

elite defense can slow down an elite offense, but and elite offense can not perform up to standards vs a elite defense. This team is going to be built around a defensive mindset, sure we will get better on offense just by natural progression, but if we want to be an elite team our defense has to be elite. Presti understands this, does slick watts?

[slick_watts]

elite defense can slow down an elite offense, but and elite offense can not perform up to standards vs a elite defense. This team is going to be built around a defensive mindset, sure we will get better on offense just by natural progression, but if we want to be an elite team our defense has to be elite. Presti understands this, does slick watts?

We don't have the personnel for an 'elite defense'. We can certainly be a good defense, but we don't have a Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, or Dwight Howard defensive anchor that would make us an elite defense. Of course the those teams can influence offenses because they have elite defenders. We're a great defensive team but we lack an elite defensive anchor. Kendrick Perkins is not an elite defensive anchor.

We can't be the Spurs without Tim Duncan. He's the reason the Spurs were able to win with such a defensive mindset. Same with Detroit and Ben Wallace. And Boston with Kevin Garnett. You can have the best defense in the world but you're not winning a playoff series shooting .427 eFG. We shot the ball worse in the playoffs than all but one playoff team in the last five years. Yet we're supposed to get more help defensively? How does this make sense at all? Sub Perkins in for Krstic and we probably get worse offensively.

Offense doesn't just 'improve' the same way defense doesn't just 'improve'. You need to work on it. The singular approach to defense is not going to win a title with our current roster. Defense is very important and it's great that this team is defending and knows how to play team defense. Now they have to learn how to put up points and run a coherent offensive set in the half court. Watching the playoffs, especially these Finals, half court offense is vital to winning. Our half court offense is among the worst.

[Joel Embust]

Absolutely critical that James Harden becomes the starting SG for this team. What this team needs right now is a boost in perimeter scoring while not giving up too much defense. Harden isn't that bad on defense and is the team's best threat from downtown. Adding Harden to the lineup will do wonders for Westbrook, who'll shoot less from long range while having more room to drive and dish.

[dream_catcher_9]

elite defense can slow down an elite offense, but and elite offense can not perform up to standards vs a elite defense. This team is going to be built around a defensive mindset, sure we will get better on offense just by natural progression, but if we want to be an elite team our defense has to be elite. Presti understands this, does slick watts?

We don't have the personnel for an 'elite defense'. We can certainly be a good defense, but we don't have a Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, or Dwight Howard defensive anchor that would make us an elite defense. Of course the those teams can influence offenses because they have elite defenders. We're a great defensive team but we lack an elite defensive anchor. Kendrick Perkins is not an elite defensive anchor.

We can't be the Spurs without Tim Duncan. He's the reason the Spurs were able to win with such a defensive mindset. Same with Detroit and Ben Wallace. And Boston with Kevin Garnett. You can have the best defense in the world but you're not winning a playoff series shooting .427 eFG. We shot the ball worse in the playoffs than all but one playoff team in the last five years. Yet we're supposed to get more help defensively? How does this make sense at all? Sub Perkins in for Krstic and we probably get worse offensively.

Offense doesn't just 'improve' the same way defense doesn't just 'improve'. You need to work on it. The singular approach to defense is not going to win a title with our current roster. Defense is very important and it's great that this team is defending and knows how to play team defense. Now they have to learn how to put up points and run a coherent offensive set in the half court. Watching the playoffs, especially these Finals, half court offense is vital to winning. Our half court offense is among the worst.

Of course we dont have a defensive anchor, but we can still be elite with a defensive big who can intimidate and pound the bigger guys down low, and more experience from our other guys.

Sure half court offense is vital, but having a elite defense is better IMO. Our half court offense was the worst because we were the youngest team in the league and never practiced it. Makes a lot of sense to me. Our offense will get better with more experience and as the years go by because we will practice it more often. Defensively if we can find that Perkins type of center who plays 25-30 minutes a game then that will help us tremendously.

You seem to want to sacrifice some defense for better offense. I'm of the opinion that we need to have an elite defense and everything else will take care of itself(offense getting better with time)

[slick_watts]

Nothing takes care of itself... I don't want to sacrifice any defense. Much of our accomplishment on defense is a good defensive scheme (although gimmicky at times..). We played great defense against the Lakers. Sure we could be better, but when you add defensive talent you're looking at diminishing returns.

This is the difference between adding a guy like Kendrick Perkins or David Lee. Perkins would improve our defense, but by how much? We're already good there. Subbing David Lee in for Jeff Green isn't likely to affect our defense much (Green was one of the worst rated defenders in the league at PF), but he'd make our bad offense at least good and maybe even better than that. Going from 9th in the league in defense to, say, 6th with Perkins doesn't affect much. Moving from 13th in offense to 6th with Lee makes us a title conteder.

I think if there is money spent it should be spent to cover up our weaknesses, whoever the acquisition is. We're not a weak defensive team, not even really on the interior. We were in the top half of the leauge in opponent FG% at the rim. We're weak on the defensive boards and we're weak in many offensive categories (shooting efficiency, turnovers). That's where our money can get the most bang for its buck. A guy like Perkins doesn't improve any of our major weaknesses except defensive rebounding...

[dream_catcher_9]

Nothing takes care of itself...

experience takes care of itself.

I don't want to sacrifice any defense. Much of our accomplishment on defense is a good defensive scheme (although gimmicky at times..). We played great defense against the Lakers. Sure we could be better, but when you add defensive talent you're looking at diminishing returns.

That's where I disagree. Id rather have a great defense and a above average offense, then a great offense and a above average defense.

Going from 9th in the league in defense to, say, 6th with Perkins doesn't affect much. Moving from 13th in offense to 6th with Lee makes us a title conteder.

where the heck did you get those #'s? I think our defense next year could be top 5 with a Perkins type of center. Lee might make our offense top 10 but our defense wont improve at all. Id rather have the former.

I think if there is money spent it should be spent to cover up our weaknesses, whoever the acquisition is. We're not a weak defensive team, not even really on the interior. We were in the top half of the leauge in opponent FG% at the rim. We're weak on the defensive boards and we're weak in many offensive categories (shooting efficiency, turnovers). That's where our money can get the most bang for its buck. A guy like Perkins doesn't improve any of our major weaknesses except defensive rebounding...

you want to fix our offense with a free agent or a trade while keeping our D the same, while I want to get more help at Center to raise our D, while expecting our offense to improve with added experience.

[slick_watts]

It's a lot easier to make a bad offense good than it is to make a good defense great. Kendrick Perkins wouldn't make us a top five defense, IMO.

[wiff]

Of course we dont have a defensive anchor, but we can still be elite with a defensive big who can intimidate and pound the bigger guys down low, and more experience from our other guys.

Sure half court offense is vital, but having a elite defense is better IMO. Our half court offense was the worst because we were the youngest team in the league and never practiced it. Makes a lot of sense to me. Our offense will get better with more experience and as the years go by because we will practice it more often. Defensively if we can find that Perkins type of center who plays 25-30 minutes a game then that will help us tremendously.

You seem to want to sacrifice some defense for better offense. I'm of the opinion that we need to have an elite defense and everything else will take care of itself(offense getting better with time)

I agree with just about all of this.

In the game of basketball where one guy can dominate the game, give me the best team defense in the league and the best offensive weapon on the entire planet and I'll take my chances with the outcome.

We might not have a defensive anchor in the paint just yet but I think he is on this roster.

I think Ibaka is going to be one of the best post defenders in the league in another two years. I really agree with dc9 that some of this stuff is going to be worked out with maturity and experience.

I also think this past training camp Brooks had enough time to really work on implementing a defense. I see Brooks working a lot more on the offensive side of the ball this coming camp.

Again I don't think Ibaka had much of a leash when it came to his offense last year. I don't expect to see Ibaka play like Kevin McHale on the low block but I expect improvements.

This team has enough offense Brooks just needs to pull the right strings.

[slick_watts]

We saw what the 'best offensive weapon' can do against the Lakers on his own. Unless James Harden seriously develops into something more, our offense will not be good enough to win anything meaningful.

We'll see what happens. There will have to be huge improvements from Westbrook and Harden offensively if we're expecting the roster as-is to contend anytime in the future. Kevin Durant can not do it by himself.