Post#26 » by djthesonicsfan » Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:53 pm
edited just to include spoiler tag for the large quote -- ChuckThis is a good write up. Both of them. Thanks for the read.
I especially agree with PMOTT3 regarding health as the key need. Durant & Ibaka have to be 110% right from the start. And Chuck Texas also noted Donovan's progress building his staff is another critical point. Earning Durant's trust, managing "Trey", selecting starters at SG & C, managing rotations, keeping Augustine aligned/motivated while developing Payne, finding minutes for McGary, keeping a lid on Durant's free agency hysteria, learning NBA rosters & culture... all things easier said than done. Donovan and company have their work cut out for them.
As for dumping PJ3 & Lamb, there's been quite a bit of talk about last season's trio of discontent (ie Jackson, PJ3 & Lamb). Whatever the reason. Right or wrong. Now they are gone. Even if it cost us a couple of 2nds, which isn't a very big deal all things considered. Interesting to note Novak is still around. One could certainly make inferences regarding this outcome and Presti's opinion on the value of character.
I wasn't as enthusiastic about Payne at #14 as most others. Having said that I admit I wanted Gorgui Dieng instead of Adams and I thought McGary was just a dope smoker with a back issue. So I give Presti his due. He's gotten a lot of picks right over the years. And we won't really know about Payne for a year or so. But I was getting so amped about Winslow dropping I had crazy ideas about making a deal with Riley to swap #10 for #14. Even still, I would have just picked Justin Anderson at #14 because I think he will become that solid 3&D SG we need. But this is quickly getting into the weeds regarding this team's chances next season. Durant seems to be recovering, Donovan is building a solid staff and they cleaned out the locker room cancer. Check. Check. Check. I expect the team will be among those legitimately competing for a title next season. Looking forward to the start of training camp.
notSonics 2016
Starters - Trey, Roberson, KD, Ibaka, Adams
Rotation - Payne, Waiters, Green, McGary, Kanter
Bench - Collison, Christon, Brodgon, Huestis
Stash - Johnson, Abrine
Cut - Morrow
Trade - Singler
Draft - Brogdon
FA - Green