Do the Thunder Need Another Scorer

Post #1 » by **sonictecture** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:47 pm

The Thunder have become a team where players know there roles, Durant, Westbrook and Harden will get the majority of the offensive opportunities and everyone else will have the opportunity for hustle points or baskets created by the big three.

Is that enough offense in the playoffs?

With Maynor out due to injury is there a player on the roster outside of the big three who could get 15ppg in a playoff series, if one of the big three were off or injured?

There is talk of the Lakers being interested in Arenas. I assume this is because they have come to the conclusion that Artest can no longer be counted on to score 10-15ppg and the big three might not be enough. The Mavericks added Carter and Odom, West and a healthy Beaubois this season and Miami has some options outside there big three.

Do the Thunder need another scorer?

dream_catcher_9 · Post #2 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:26 pm

Great point. slick hates Maynor, but the thing he overlooked about him was the fact that he could score in bunches and he had a knack for making big shots, especially from 3. Will Reggie Jackson fill that void on offense this year? I doubt it, although he does play a bit better defense. He is going to have to grow up fast for us to have a chance at winning a Championship.

Post #3 » by **slick_watts** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:46 pm

I don't hate Maynor, but with the lack of scoring from the C and PF positions I think it'd be better to have another scorer in the backcourt. And Maynor was very hit or miss there... not that Reggie has been any better, but I think he has more potential in that capacity at least.

The idea of acquiring a bench scoring combo guard appeals to me if it doesn't look like Reggie is going to put it together this year.

dopeismarcus · Post #4 » by **dopeismarcus** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:18 pm

frontcourt yes. backcourt no.

Rapsfan07 · Post #5 » by **Rapsfan07** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:47 am

How do you guys feel about Bargnani? He's a pretty cheap scoring PF by comparison to other scoring PFs in the league and plays good man-to-man defense. You guys could use him well since he can stretch the floor well. He's also rebounding the best he's ever had in his career.

Interested?

Post #6 » by **wizkid27** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:06 am

I think it is easy to overlook the contributions of Cook, Thabo (surprisingly good shooting thus far), and most of the post players' ability to be in the right place and finish when discussing this. I would say that right now we've got 3 guys that can score any time the ball is in their hands if needed, a guy who is auotmatic from 3, some others that can hit if needed, and then most of the rest which know how to fit their role. I'm really not too concerned. It's always nice to have better players, but I can't come up with who I'd want to give up or what role we can do without to come up with more scoring and not upset the balance of our fairly successful team.

Balkman32 · Post #7 » by **Balkman32** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:58 pm

If the Thunder added a scorer the guy would replace Cook or Jackson in the rotation and might move Harden into the rotation. The Thunder would probally want to add a guy who can play the three, plus they would only be willing to give up Cook and Nazr.

HeartSouloma · Post #8 » by **HeartSouloma** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:40 pm

Yes we do need another scorer, a PF/C that has low post scoring. I don't find Bargnani a bad idea for us. Only if he and Al Jefferson comes with a cheap price then I'm all in. But when trade dead line hits, I hope Sam Presti find a good big man that can give us a little post scoring. That will help us alot when play off comes.

Rapsfan07 · Post #9 » by **Rapsfan07** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:05 pm

I'm not sure what Bargnani would cost you guys... But I personally wouldn't mind dealing him to you guys. Of course the return would have to be worth it for us though.

Al Jefferson would also look really good on OKC but he will cost you more than you're willing to pay and more than you have to offer. Outside of KD, Westbrook, Perkins who are in your starting lineup...you guys don't have much to offer. Ibaka is a good player but we're loaded at the PF spot and probably isn't enough to net you guys a PF of Jefferson and Bargnani's caliber.

That said, I don't see how you guys will be able to to keep Harden, Ibaka AND acquire a higher end PF. I doubt you guys will love this offer but I'd gladly deal you guys Bargnani + TOR Top 5 protected 2013 1st for a S&E James Harden.

fallacy · Post #10 » by **fallacy** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:56 pm

Rapsfan07 wrote:I'm not sure what Bargnani would cost you guys... But I personally wouldn't mind dealing him to you guys. Of course the return would have to be worth it for us though.

Al Jefferson would also look really good on OKC but he will cost you more than you're willing to pay and more than you have to offer. Outside of KD, Westbrook, Perkins who are in your starting lineup...you guys don't have much to offer. Ibaka is a good player but we're loaded at the PF spot and probably isn't enough to net you guys a PF of Jefferson and Bargnani's caliber.

That said, I don't see how you guys will be able to to keep Harden, Ibaka AND acquire a higher end PF. I doubt you guys will love this offer but I'd gladly deal you guys Bargnani + TOR Top 5 protected 2013 1st for a S&E James Harden.

**** no

Post #11 » by **sonictecture** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:25 pm

Is this an area in which Presti's strategy of filling out the team with draft picks, rather than veterans might hurt the Thunder in the playoffs?

Traditionally contending teams fill out their rotation or bench with veterans who are willing to take a lesser role and paycheck for a good environment and chance to win. Often these veterans established their ability to produce earlier in their careers and when called upon can produce in a small allotment of playing time or raise their production if called upon.

When your bench is Cook, Aldrich, Hayward and Jackson, all players who are trying to establish that they can produce in the league, where do you get additional offense when needed.

Does everyone feel confident that Cook can deliver?

Krodis · Post #12 » by **Krodis** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:22 am

I feel confident in our bench's offensive ability. Heck, I feel more confident in it than I do our starting lineup's.

Post #13 » by **sonictecture** » Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:35 pm

For me it's not a question of do the Thunder have a productive bench, I think the numbers will show they have, but is there another player on the team outside the big three that you feel confident can support offensively when needed?

Every other contending team has one. The Thunder will rely on Ibaka and Cook to fill the role. Is everyone ok with this solution?