Draft James Southerland? UPDATE: OKC is interested

dozendonuts · Post #1 » by **dozendonuts** » Sat May 18, 2013 7:50 pm

6'8 F from Syracuse. OKC has a late first round pick, and a early second round pick, and Southerland is projected to go late first round or early second. He's one of the best 3 point shooters in the draft, and at the combine knocked down 14 out of 25 3-pointers from five different spots on the floor.

If Martin doesn't come back, Southerland could potentially become the James Harden type player, leading scorer off the bench. And even if he does come back, OKC is still in need of more 3 point shooters.

What do you think?

RunOKC · Post #2 » by **RunOKC** » Sun May 19, 2013 12:29 am

Don't need a guard/SF

Post #3 » by **sonictecture** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:40 pm

What we don't know about Southerland is whether he can defend the perimeter and multiple positions outside of the Syracuse zone. The defense is a more critical component than the shooting.

History seems to show that converting a versatile perimeter defender into a shooter is easier than turning a shooter into a versatile perimeter shooter.

If Southerland is not drafted and that seems also a possibility then I could see Presti show an interest in him for training camp with an eye on development in Tulsa next year.

dozendonuts · Post #4 » by **dozendonuts** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:02 pm

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/349557377915305986[/tweet]

RainCity · Post #5 » by **RainCity** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:23 pm

What other players would be on your radar at 29/32? Depending on who is still on the board at 12 I'm not convinced we go big at 12 unless we somehow move up a couple spots. I also have a strong feeling we won't be making a selection at 29, 32 or possibly both as I can see Presti making a trade with one of those two draft picks if not both included. Also just to get your guys opinion, what are your thoughts on G Rice Jr? Despite his lack of defensive ability, after watching his highlights he looked pretty solid. Can knock down the 3, finishes at the rim, completed a high % of 2pt fgs and seems to be a decent passer. Has NBADL experience and seems like he could possibly contribute sooner rather than later.....I know his defense is below average, but is it good enough to contain a back up SF? What are your thoughts?

RainCity · Post #6 » by **RainCity** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:25 pm

Also, if we make a selection at #12 and we don't go big, who do you think we target?

IanChang · Post #7 » by **IanChang** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:05 am

I'd say C.J. McCollum and Michael Carter-Williams are also good choices for the Thunder, it's very likely one of them is still available at #12. CJ is great coming off bench along with Jackson and Lamb, he is so versatile at scoring with high BBIQ. MCW is great playing alongside Russ with his size and length of SG but a natural skill set of PG, it's probably an Iverson-Snow type combination in near future and I really love this.

Post #8 » by **bondom34** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:12 am

RainCity wrote:Also, if we make a selection at #12 and we don't go big, who do you think we target?

If its not a big, I'd say McCollum, Schroeder, or Karasev (he's supposedly a great shooter who could potentially fill the sixth man spot, as could the others). I think then it would be a Withey/Muscala type guy at 29 or 32.
Edit: Just read IanChangs post, forgot MCW at 12 is possible too.

RainCity · Post #9 » by **RainCity** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:30 am

bondom34 wrote:
RainCity wrote:Also, if we make a selection at #12 and we don't go big, who do you think we target?

If its not a big, I'd say McCollum, Schroeder, or Karasev (he's supposedly a great shooter who could potentially fill the sixth man spot, as could the others). I think then it would be a Withey/Muscala type guy at 29 or 32.
Edit: Just read IanChangs post, forgot MCW at 12 is possible too.

Have guys taken a look at Ledo? Other than possible character issues the guy loos like a stud. Wouldn't mind snagging him if he falls to 29. Good size, quickness, solid handles and can stroke.

Devilanche · Post #10 » by **Devilanche** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:17 am

i can see a smallball SF who can shoot 3 being interesting for OKC.

Snell/Bullock seems to be rising way too high.

Post #11 » by **sonictecture** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:22 pm

Miami and San Antonio showed that having multiple 3 point shooters makes a difference.

Devilanche · Post #12 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:58 am

they also showed having a coach that is willing to adjust makes a difference.

Post #13 » by **sonictecture** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:59 pm

We tend to remember the bad and forget the good in coaching. When Brooks makes adjustments in the 2012 against the San Antonio Spurs and completely turns the tide against what was the hottest team with the best record in the league it is forgotten. No fan is happy with their coach all of the time, Poppovic proved that in the Finals.

Devilanche · Post #14 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:27 pm

People will always remember the bad experience more than the good experience.

But back to the shooter, we know Presti is looking for one since he send Hollis to Tulsa and take a flier on Rautins. That seems an SF slot shooter.
Probably something like
WB/Thabo/SF/Durant/Ibaka smallball lineup.

Post #15 » by **sonictecture** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:12 pm

Hate to bring the convo back to Brooks, but a rookie SF shooter would have to never miss to get minutes in that line up. Perhaps a veteran like F. Garcia or Delfino would be a better solution?

Post #16 » by **bondom34** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:16 pm

A vet would be the ideal situation, but depending on situation, a rookie could move in, which is why for some reason over the last few days I've started to see a possibility of Karasev being drafted with the 12, which would have shocked me about a week ago. He's a lights out 3 point shooter in a top Russian league, so even though he would be a 19 year old rookie, he has pro experience. He shot 49 percent from 3 (2.3 made on 4.6 attempts) per game, and I think having some pro experience could help Brooks's confidence in playing him. If he had some minutes early on in the season, by the end of the year he's plenty experienced.

Side note: Anyone see ESPNs players mock? They had Perkins pick for OKC, and he got Olynk and Withey with 12/29, he wants competition!

Post #17 » by **sonictecture** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:00 pm

Karasev does't defend well enough to get minutes as a rookie for OKC in my view. Karasev has a quick, compact release, but he doesn't always have good balance. At the addidas camp in Portland he shot 1-6 from 3pt range. Karasev has an unfiltered green light in Russia because his dad is the head coach.

Devilanche · Post #18 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:55 pm

I think OKC doesn't feel that whoever we draft at #12 will see regular minutes with all been said (Schroeders mum note abt dleague etc), interest in Karasev at #12 as stash option.

I think they envision a bigger role with Lamb and PJ3.

Devilanche · Post #19 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:56 pm

sonictecture wrote:Hate to bring the convo back to Brooks, but a rookie SF shooter would have to never miss to get minutes in that line up. Perhaps a veteran like F. Garcia or Delfino would be a better solution?

If Martin is not coming back,

I'm interested in whoever we can get cheapest out of garcia/delfino/Dunleavy/Webster.