2017-2018 OKC Thunder Regular Season Thread Part Deux: Follow the Melo Brick Road

[spearsy23]

They've been good for the first-time in 2 months and naturally it starts making people angry.

Makes total sense.

I'm not angry. I just don't like baseless, agenda-driven gloating.

Kinda feels like what both sides are doing.

Is it? One side is saying 'they've been really good with brewer's and the other 'see? They're better without roberson.'

The latter isn't true even with multiple guys shooting out of their minds, so it's pretty obvious where the agenda is.

[bondom34]

I'm not angry. I just don't like baseless, agenda-driven gloating.

Kinda feels like what both sides are doing.

Is it? One side is saying 'they've been really good with brewer's and the other 'see? They're better without roberson.'

The latter isn't true even with multiple guys shooting out of their minds, so it's pretty obvious where the agenda is.

Fair.

I'm just against name calling. From either side.

[hardenASG13]

I'm not angry. I just don't like baseless, agenda-driven gloating.

Kinda feels like what both sides are doing.

Is it? One side is saying 'they've been really good with brewer's and the other 'see? They're better without roberson.'

The latter isn't true even with multiple guys shooting out of their minds, so it's pretty obvious where the agenda is.

I didn't see you opposing them boasting in the Roberson thread after he went down, comparing him to clearly inadequate replacements. Simply restating my opinion that this team would be amazing if they had a few 2 way, role playing wings like brewer (your average NBA wing) I've received heavy opposition on this notion all year, and he's showing it to be true. You guys essentially, and for the most part smugly disagree with everything I say (grant would improve, the team is good/would turn it up post ASB, they would look great if they stocked average NBA wings instead if projects and defenders). It's been right. Don't act like it doesn't happen from the other end man.

[Pillendreher]

I didn't see you opposing them boasting in the Roberson thread after he went down, comparing him to clearly inadequate replacements.

You can't have it both ways: Roberson can't be the worst human being to ever pick up a basketball and can't be replaced by basically any wing in the league at the same time. It doesn't work like that. The one contradicts the other.

Simply restating my opinion that this team would be amazing if they had a few 2 way, role playing wings like brewer (your average NBA wing) I've received heavy opposition on this notion all year

That is just a flat out lie. NOBODY on this board has ever said 'Man, I do hate it when our shooting guard makes a 3 or a free throw'. The point made has ALWAYS been that while getting somebody who can make jumpshots would certainly help, you're not just getting a guy like that off the street and meanwhile are just fine with Roberson in his role.

and he's showing it to be true.

It doesn't work like this. A six game sample with a guy who's just as horrible a shooter as Roberson making an unsustainable amount of 3s is not 'showing' anything.

It's been right.

How convenient that you shop up every four weeks when the game played fits your narrative and then disappear whenever it doesn't. They were smacking teams left and right WITH Roberson playing in December and January. I didn't hear you clamoring for your so called 'average NBA wing' back then. And when Roberson went out and everything turned to ****, you were clinging to the 'Well, he is the worst wing in the league, but his replacements are even worse, so this doesn't mean anything' take. And now when we have everybody making 3s at better % than our best 3pt shooter in Paul George (!!!) and the defense still being significantly worse than with Roberson out there, you're back at it again, feeling vindicated.

Ridiculous.

[slick_watts]

Simply restating my opinion that this team would be amazing if they had a few 2 way, role playing wings like brewer (your average NBA wing) I've received heavy opposition on this notion all year

[hardenASG13]

I didn't see you opposing them boasting in the Roberson thread after he went down, comparing him to clearly inadequate replacements.

You can't have it both ways: Roberson can't be the worst human being to ever pick up a basketball and can't be replaced by basically any wing in the league at the same time. It doesn't work like that. The one contradicts the other.

Simply restating my opinion that this team would be amazing if they had a few 2 way, role playing wings like brewer (your average NBA wing) I've received heavy opposition on this notion all year

That is just a flat out lie. NOBODY on this board has ever said 'Man, I do hate it when our shooting guard makes a 3 or a free throw'. The point made has ALWAYS been that while getting somebody who can make jumpshots would certainly help, you're not just getting a guy like that off the street and meanwhile are just fine with Roberson in his role.

and he's showing it to be true.

It doesn't work like this. A six game sample with a guy who's just as horrible a shooter as Roberson making an unsustainable amount of 3s is not 'showing' anything.

It's been right.

How convenient that you shop up every four weeks when the game played fits your narrative and then disappear whenever it doesn't. They were smacking teams left and right WITH Roberson playing in December and January. I didn't hear you clamoring for your so called 'average NBA wing' back then. And when Roberson went out and everything turned to ****, you were clinging to the 'Well, he is the worst wing in the league, but his replacements are even worse, so this doesn't mean anything' take. And now when we have everybody making 3s at better % than our best 3pt shooter in Paul George (!!!) and the defense still being significantly worse than with Roberson out there, you're back at it again, feeling vindicated.

Ridiculous.

I said multiple times Roberson was playing better this year....he stopped standing in the corner/shooting 3s entirely.

You CAN get guys like that off the street. Guys like brewer routinely are available in the buy out market, in free agency, and through trades, often for peanuts. The fact they haven't brought in more like him, instead rolling with Roberson all these years hasn't made sense to me, considering their personnel and the need for shooting around their stars.

What's is showing is that you can plug in basically any NBA caliber guard, and find success on this team (brewer isn't considered a starting caliber guard at this point really). If they had another brewer caliber guy backing him up, they wouldn't need Roberson at all. It angers me as a fan they have never brought in guys like this, my point all along. He instantly has done well with these guys, with barely any practices. That's shows how easy it is. I'm not obsessed with his 3 point percentage, and don't think he needs to or will sustain it. I'm happy they are playing great ball and have done so plugging in a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA wing without any practice. What does that say? I disappear because I don't like trashing this team. Have opposed all of you who find security in doing so all year, because I understand the NBA and had faith a team with Westbrook, George, Anthony and Adams would turn it on post ASB and was a playoff threat. I don't panic when they lose games, I know they are good. Welcome to the party.

[hardenASG13]

Simply restating my opinion that this team would be amazing if they had a few 2 way, role playing wings like brewer (your average NBA wing) I've received heavy opposition on this notion all year

Exactly, he's nothing special and look at how good he's looked playing next to these guys. That's my entire point.....while Roberson looks good playing next to them (and brewer for that matter) there are tons of NBA wings who would be great with this personnel. It's angers me they have neglected this for years. They have held themselves back when so many guys could step in and likely be even better. Norman Powell would probably be great in his role as well. Thanks for posting this.

[slick_watts]

Exactly, he's nothing special and look at how good he's looked playing next to these guys. That's my entire point.....while Roberson looks good playing next to them (and brewer for that matter) there are tons of NBA wings who would be great with this personnel. It's angers me they have neglected this for years. They have held themselves back when so many guys could step in and likely be even better.

except the andre roberson starters this year are much better than the corey brewer starters-- and this is with corey brewer shooting (by your own admission) unsustainable percentages.

this same gobbledygook was put out there when andre roberson got hurt and dion waiters had his opportunity. now, royce young and the other haters forget that even happened.

the fact of the matter is that nothing happens in this world along a straight line at small scales. this lineup with corey brewer is putting up monster numbers offensively, which no sane person could expect to continue at this rate considering brewer's history and the unsustainable shooting of others during this span.

the lineup is still 10 points worse per 100 possessions on defense than the andre roberson starters. a small fall-off on offense of 4-5pp100 could result in the brewer starters being double digits behind the andre roberson starters.

the obvious problem here is that you are unable to objectively quantify team and individual defense. it explains your lack of appreciation for andre roberson, and this rabbit you are pulling out of a hat now.

brewer is probably better than josh huestis or any of the other healthy wings, but imo not by very much.

[bondom34]

Wait Royce Young is a hater now? I missed this.

[Dn4sty]

I know it is kind of early, but what guys would you target in free agency? Forget positional needs as we won't know much until after the draft, but what guys would you be interested in that could realistically be had at the MLE price? Are you interested in bringing back Felton? Huestis?

The guys I've been looking @ are:

Burke
Larkin
Clark
Harris
GRIII

I’d have a really hard time not giving the tax payer MLE (basically the 2Pat deal) to Garrett Temple or Cory Joseph if either opts out and would come to OKC. Felton has been great, but he’s not as good as Cory Joseph. Joseph is also big enough (6-3/200) to more effectively play off ball with Russ than Felton can/does.

Temple would slide into the starting SG role and would be an awesome bench player if Roberson recovers. If Roberson never returns to previous form you could do a lot worse than Temple. Temple also allows OKC to give Ferguson. A bit more time to develop before counting on him.

If both Joseph and Temple opt out, I’d probably lean a bit more towards Joseph with the hope that Ferguson makes a pretty big jump next season.

I’d bring Brewer back as well.

And then explore the trade market for a combo featuring the expirings of Abrines/Singler. I still have some faith in Abrines, but not sure how he fits with this team long term.

[slick_watts]

Wait Royce Young is a hater now? I missed this.

royce was an andre roberson hater until he got injured and it was no longer possible. i cornered royce on dailythunder comments a few years ago on waiters v. roberson and he shamefully exited the debate with i'm a reporter and i know what i'm saying argument from authority.

i'm shocked he hasn't made an all in on corey brewer tweet yet.

[Pillendreher]

You CAN get guys like that off the street. Guys like brewer routinely are available in the buy out market, in free agency, and through trades, often for peanuts. The fact they haven't brought in more like him, instead rolling with Roberson all these years hasn't made sense to me, considering their personnel and the need for shooting around their stars.

Do you hear yourself talk when you say stuff like this? I just pointed out the contradiction in your take and yet you still double down on it. If you can replace Roberson with ANYBODY, why hasn't it worked with ANYBODY? Brewer and Huestis are the only guys who come close to Roberson with the starters. And yet, they're still significantly worse. If what you're saying were true, the improvement would be significant no matter the replamcent.

What's is showing is that you can plug in basically any NBA caliber guard, and find success on this team (brewer isn't considered a starting caliber guard at this point really). If they had another brewer caliber guy backing him up, they wouldn't need Roberson at all.

Roberson by himself is probably as good as Brewer+Brewer.

It angers me as a fan they have never brought in guys like this, my point all along.

They have brought in plenty of scrub wings over the years.

He instantly has done well with these guys, with barely any practices. That's shows how easy it is.

I like this result based approach. So when something works, you knew it all along. When another thing doesn't (even though the same principles apply), it's the player being not good enough. Even though anybody with two functioning legs should be good enough according to you. But of course only if it works in the end. If it doesn't, you just change the argument.

I'm happy they are playing great ball and have done so plugging in a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA wing without any practice. What does that say?

Nothing.

I disappear because I don't like trashing this team. Have opposed all of you who find security in doing so all year, because I understand the NBA and had faith a team with Westbrook, George, Anthony and Adams would turn it on post ASB and was a playoff threat. I don't panic when they lose games, I know they are good. Welcome to the party.

You really are a great opportunist. Get in there when it's going well, disappear when your own narrative gets flushed down the toilet by reality.

[hardenASG13]

You CAN get guys like that off the street. Guys like brewer routinely are available in the buy out market, in free agency, and through trades, often for peanuts. The fact they haven't brought in more like him, instead rolling with Roberson all these years hasn't made sense to me, considering their personnel and the need for shooting around their stars.

Do you hear yourself talk when you say stuff like this? I just pointed out the contradiction in your take and yet you still double down on it. If you can replace Roberson with ANYBODY, why hasn't it worked with ANYBODY? Brewer and Huestis are the only guys who come close to Roberson with the starters. And yet, they're still significantly worse. If what you're saying were true, the improvement would be significant no matter the replamcent.

What's is showing is that you can plug in basically any NBA caliber guard, and find success on this team (brewer isn't considered a starting caliber guard at this point really). If they had another brewer caliber guy backing him up, they wouldn't need Roberson at all.

Roberson by himself is probably as good as Brewer+Brewer.

It angers me as a fan they have never brought in guys like this, my point all along.

They have brought in plenty of scrub wings over the years.

He instantly has done well with these guys, with barely any practices. That's shows how easy it is.

I like this result based approach. So when something works, you knew it all along. When another thing doesn't (even though the same principles apply), it's the player being not good enough. Even though anybody with two functioning legs should be good enough according to you. But of course only if it works in the end. If it doesn't, you just change the argument.

I'm happy they are playing great ball and have done so plugging in a guy who couldn't be more of an average NBA wing without any practice. What does that say?

Nothing.

I disappear because I don't like trashing this team. Have opposed all of you who find security in doing so all year, because I understand the NBA and had faith a team with Westbrook, George, Anthony and Adams would turn it on post ASB and was a playoff threat. I don't panic when they lose games, I know they are good. Welcome to the party.

You really are a great opportunist. Get in there when it's going well, disappear when your own narrative gets flushed down the toilet by reality.

You are so bitter. I feel sorry for you. Hopefully you get enjoyment out of other entertainment besides sports. You are way to analytical/critical for me, to the point you don't understand what I'm saying. I look forward to the next spreadsheet to tell me what I'm seeing.

[Pillendreher]

You are so bitter. I feel sorry for you.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Hopefully you get enjoyment out of other entertainment besides sports.

I get plenty of joy from watching the Thunder.

You are way to analytical/critical for me, to the point you don't understand what I'm saying. I look forward to the next spreadsheet to tell me what I'm seeing.

This is quite the cute way of saying 'You lost me there, but heck, I'm gonna keep on keepin on'.

[hardenASG13]

You are so bitter. I feel sorry for you.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Hopefully you get enjoyment out of other entertainment besides sports.

I get plenty of joy from watching the Thunder.

You are way to analytical/critical for me, to the point you don't understand what I'm saying. I look forward to the next spreadsheet to tell me what I'm seeing.

This is quite the cute way of saying 'You lost me there, but heck, I'm gonna keep on keepin on'.

Not lost, you're just so against whatever I say, and so into bashing/doubting the team, this convo is basically pointless.

[bondom34]

Wait Royce Young is a hater now? I missed this.

royce was an andre roberson hater until he got injured and it was no longer possible. i cornered royce on dailythunder comments a few years ago on waiters v. roberson and he shamefully exited the debate with i'm a reporter and i know what i'm saying argument from authority.

i'm shocked he hasn't made an all in on corey brewer tweet yet.

I knew he liked Dion but didn't think he said anything anti-Robes. Didn't know that.

[ThunderBolt]

...

If found the friend/for option helpful for certain posters. Just sayin...

[bondom34]

...

If found the friend/for option helpful for certain posters. Just sayin...

It comes in useful for most of the Dubs fans too.

[ThunderBolt]

...

If found the friend/for option helpful for certain posters. Just sayin...

It comes in useful for most of the Dubs fans too.

Last year they got under my skin. They don’t bother me this year near as much as rocket fans.

[bondom34]

If found the friend/for option helpful for certain posters. Just sayin...

It comes in useful for most of the Dubs fans too.

Last year they got under my skin. They don’t bother me this year near as much as rocket fans.

True (and agreed Rockets fans are worse) I should put a few of them on there. They have one or 2 who are solid, but they're mostly mods.