Cole Aldrich

Dan Z · Post #1 » by **Dan Z** » Sun May 6, 2012 4:26 am

I know he didn't play much but how was he this year? Does he have potential and is simply stuck on a stacked team? Or is he not that good?

Devilanche · Post #2 » by **Devilanche** » Sun May 6, 2012 4:56 am

He still need playing time to improve obviously but seems much better in garbage time this year than last year if that means anything.

fallacy · Post #3 » by **fallacy** » Sun May 6, 2012 6:05 am

He's been very good in his playing time this year. He'll be the backup next year.

theokie · Post #4 » by **theokie** » Sun May 6, 2012 4:49 pm

fallacy wrote:He's been very good in his playing time this year. He'll be the backup next year.

ya never know. Everyone said that at this point last year too

Bravenewworld · Post #5 » by **Bravenewworld** » Sun May 6, 2012 9:09 pm

theokie wrote:
fallacy wrote:He's been very good in his playing time this year. He'll be the backup next year.

ya never know. Everyone said that at this point last year too

They brought in Nazr for their third string. And for a team making a title run, they need that experience as their depth more then Aldrich's youth.

Thing is, i dont think Presti and Brooks will let him go to waste. They have shown to use his players to their highest extent and will either trade him for a valuable piece or eventually use him. This could also be an attempt to resign him for cheap then allow him to play more minutes. We know the guy can produce and we know he fits the Thunder's big men perfectly, so who knows.

Post #6 » by **wizkid27** » Mon May 7, 2012 2:48 am

Bravenewworld wrote:This could also be an attempt to resign him for cheap then allow him to play more minutes.

For that strategy to take place, they would have to hold him back for all of next season to and then sign him to an extension without really seeing him play any meaningful minutes for three seasons... I just don't think it's likely. If he was good enough to play over Nazr right now, he would play.

Dan Z · Post #7 » by **Dan Z** » Mon May 7, 2012 5:12 am

If they don't play him do you think he'll get traded? I'm curious to see what he'll do with more minutes.

Devilanche · Post #8 » by **Devilanche** » Mon May 7, 2012 1:36 pm

If they're not looking to play him/retain him. he's probably going to be traded. But at the moment he's probably our young C that we're looking to develop.

Unless Pleiss develop REALLLY fast or a C falls to us in this draft that Presti liked more, pretty unlikely i would say.

Post #9 » by **sonictecture** » Wed May 9, 2012 4:26 pm

Dan Z wrote:I know he didn't play much but how was he this year? Does he have potential and is simply stuck on a stacked team? Or is he not that good?

I don't think any of us really know the answer.

When Presti moved up to get Aldrich many observers of the team were convinced Aldrich would become a starter in year one. This was based as much on a belief in Presti's decision making as the hope that Aldrich could be an answer for what had been soft play from the position.

When Aldrich spent more time in Tulsa than in OKC during his rookie year, and put up disappointing statistical numbers observers realized that Aldrich wasn't ready and gave him the benefit of the doubt all rookies receive.

In this his second season, Aldrich has played sparingly in OKC, but was never sent down to Tulsa. Aldrich showed a couple of glimpses to keep the hope of him becoming a rotation player alive but he simply hasn't received the necessary minutes to definitively answer the questions about him.

If your an observer you remember that despite his statistical numbers in Tulsa the team was the best in the d'league with Aldrich in the lineup. Considering Perkins doesn't impress with statistics either, these type of results are important as Aldrich is projected to play a supporting role.

Many observers are predicting Aldrich will earn rotation minutes next season and if that happens then perhaps an answer will present itself.

Balkman32 · Post #10 » by **Balkman32** » Wed May 9, 2012 5:28 pm

Cole is 23. Centers like Cole usually dont come all the way along in the NBA till they are around 25. Their body really needs to grow up to play aganist the better centers.

I think he stays with the team. Sammy drafted him in the lottery for a reason.

Balkman32 · Post #11 » by **Balkman32** » Wed May 9, 2012 5:29 pm

I think it is safe to say right now Cole is the backup C to Perk next season.

BirdmanPresents · Post #12 » by **BirdmanPresents** » Wed May 9, 2012 9:38 pm

The problem that stands out with Cole to me is he is just so slow. He looks like he is moving in slow motion on the floor.

Post #13 » by **sonictecture** » Fri May 11, 2012 5:33 pm

When Aldrich is able to get comfortable and get enough minutes to get some rhythm he looks much quicker especially with his second and third bounce. I saw glimpses of this at Kansas, but it was even more pronounced during his time with Tulsa.

Aldrich wants to do the right thing, he wants to impress his teammates and coaches, but the result is thinking about what to do, instead of just reacting or creating on the court, which results in him looking a step slow. At the end of his season in Tulsa last year he looked quick and bouncy and was really making a difference for that team on both ends.

Brooks is going to play a major role in Aldrich's future with the Thunder. Aldrich needs minutes and some trust at this stage of his career.

I wonder if Aldrich would get any minutes if Perkins is not ready to begin round two of the playoffs or if Brooks would simply go with the veterans Collison and Mohammad?

dream_catcher_9 · Post #14 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Fri May 11, 2012 6:46 pm

If Perk can't go, Id assume Cole will get some spot minutes. Even if it's because of foul trouble. I'm still a big fan of Cole because he has a lot of good traits you look for in big men. he is active, smart, tough, and has soft hands and touch around the rim. I think he will make a solid impact next year. A front line of Collsion/Aldrich setting screens for Harden just makes me drool.

bbms · Post #15 » by **bbms** » Fri May 11, 2012 8:45 pm

I like Aldrich more than Perkins, also he can be a big body to put under the basket defensively if we need to amnesty Perkins.

Post #16 » by **sonictecture** » Fri May 11, 2012 9:30 pm

bbms wrote:I like Aldrich more than Perkins, also he can be a big body to put under the basket defensively if we need to amnesty Perkins.

Perkins can be difficult to like in general, but he's brought a lot of leadership, toughness and heart to the team. These are all things Aldrich wasn't capable of bringing at the time Perkins was acquired.

theokie · Post #17 » by **theokie** » Sun May 13, 2012 12:33 am

Any chance Tabor Plies comes back next year and becomes the backup C?

Post #18 » by **sonictecture** » Sun May 13, 2012 11:22 pm

Is the question whether Tibor is going to back up the center position in OKC or Tulsa?

theokie · Post #19 » by **theokie** » Mon May 14, 2012 5:00 am

sonictecture wrote:Is the question whether Tibor is going to back up the center position in OKC or Tulsa?

OKC... or Tulsa too? I'm just curious to know if anyone has heard anything about him.

Post #20 » by **sonictecture** » Mon May 14, 2012 6:33 am

It's a big jump from playing back up center in the German league to backing up Kendrick Perkins on a contending team in the NBA. Tiaggo Splitter of the Spurs was considered the best big man in Europe for years and barely cracked the Spurs lineup in year one and still hasn't gained a starting position.

The latest statement I read, courtesy of devilanche, had Presti praising Tibor Pleiss for his work ethic. You can read the meaning in that a couple of ways. One, we don't need to bring him over right away because he works hard on his game anyway or we plan to bring him over and get him in our system.

Pleiss lacks the athleticism of a Serge Ibaka, which allowed Ibaka opportunities even when there more effective players on the roster, but he does have good length.

Pleiss has stated that he thinks he's ready to come to the NBA next year, but if it doesn't work out he'll look to play in Spain.

If the team doesn't think Aldrich is the answer, i expect them to resign Mohammad or seek another veteran presence. Drafting another center prospect would probably be more for development based on the teams draft position.