2018-19 Oklahoma City Thunder Preseason | October 3rd - October 9th

[ThunderBolt]

Terrence Ferguson is 20 years old. Terrence Ferguson came into the league known as a project. Getting extensive NBA playing time last year most likely helped his development but hurt the perception of him. He should've gotten a couple of years in the d-league, our inability to field anything resembling a competent bench is the only reason he didn't. I don't understand the idea of 'i just don't see it' with a guy that was never supposed to be on the court yet.

I think the idea of not seeing it with him means he’s just not ready to be a starter or major contributor. I don’t think most are suggesting we give up or get rid of him. He still has the potential to be a good 3&D player. I said last year that I think it’s realistic to expect some progress by the end of this year. I’m sticking to that.

[bondom34]

Its not even the build. It's his play. He's just not good, and he's not aggressive. Bobby and I will have a thing on WTLC about who to start soon too. I got both guys I wanted.

if he could shoot it would cancel all that other stuff out, buuuuut....

Or defend or pass or...

[kdthunderup]

I would start Diallo over Ferguson at this stage. Both are raw players still learning the game although Diallo has elite athletiscm and motor which is going to allow him to do positive things on the court even if he isn't adjusted to playing at an NBA pace.

Diallo also has the way higher ceiling, his athleticism and physical profile is insane, he is a slightly more athletic Wiggins with a better work ethic. I'm not giving up on Ferguson, I do believe he can become a solid player but more likely in the shape of a role player.

[spearsy23]

Okay, you've all gone ****.

[Kizz Fastfists]

I would start Diallo over Ferguson at this stage. Both are raw players still learning the game although Diallo has elite athletiscm and motor which is going to allow him to do positive things on the court even if he isn't adjusted to playing at an NBA pace.

Diallo has been the most athletic person on the court since he was in high school. His entire scouting reports going back to when he was being recruited by colleges was that he was off the charts athletic, but couldn't shoot. He is the same player today he was as a junior in high school. An athlete who can defend multiple positions, get to the rim, but can't shoot. I don't expect him to learn how to shoot, but there is a slim chance he turns into a better ball handling version of Roberson.

[slick_watts]

Okay, you've all gone ****.

i'm with you on this one. starting diallo over ferguson doesn't seen defensible to me, and putting him ahead of ferguson in the rotation based on such limited data / observation could harm ferguson and definitely would kill any value he might have.

[bondom34]

We have data on Ferguson though. We know he's bad. I'd rather Abrines start, at least he has one NBA skill.

Bobby and I are putting out a thing for WTLC on who to start and neither of us is using Ferguson as a viable option.

[spearsy23]

Okay, you've all gone ****.

i'm with you on this one. starting diallo over ferguson doesn't seen defensible to me, and putting him ahead of ferguson in the rotation based on such limited data / observation could harm ferguson and definitely would kill any value he might have.

I think wanting to play him over ferguson is defensible, even if it's a ridiculous overreaction to like 25 minutes of meaningless game action. But calling him a more athletic Wiggins is just completely off the rails.

[slick_watts]

We have data on Ferguson though. We know he's bad. I'd rather Abrines start, at least he has one NBA skill.

Bobby and I are putting out a thing for WTLC on who to start and neither of us is using Ferguson as a viable option.

he was 19 years old and played the previous year in australia d-league. i'm not a ferguson fan but they need to figure out where he's at, and they didn't figure that out in preseason.

i don't mind abrines starting, or even tlc. i just think diallo is a bad idea given the optics that would create.

[bondom34]

We have data on Ferguson though. We know he's bad. I'd rather Abrines start, at least he has one NBA skill.

Bobby and I are putting out a thing for WTLC on who to start and neither of us is using Ferguson as a viable option.

he was 19 years old and played the previous year in australia d-league. i'm not a ferguson fan but they need to figure out where he's at, and they didn't figure that out in preseason.

i don't mind abrines starting, or even tlc. i just think diallo is a bad idea given the optics that would create.

I'd rather play the guy who I just think is better, no matter the optics. And I've never thought Ferguson was good.

[spearsy23]

We have data on Ferguson though. We know he's bad. I'd rather Abrines start, at least he has one NBA skill.

Bobby and I are putting out a thing for WTLC on who to start and neither of us is using Ferguson as a viable option.

he was 19 years old and played the previous year in australia d-league. i'm not a ferguson fan but they need to figure out where he's at, and they didn't figure that out in preseason.

i don't mind abrines starting, or even tlc. i just think diallo is a bad idea given the optics that would create.

I'd rather play the guy who I just think is better, no matter the optics. And I've never thought Ferguson was good.

Just thinking the guy is better based off what?

[bondom34]

he was 19 years old and played the previous year in australia d-league. i'm not a ferguson fan but they need to figure out where he's at, and they didn't figure that out in preseason.

i don't mind abrines starting, or even tlc. i just think diallo is a bad idea given the optics that would create.

I'd rather play the guy who I just think is better, no matter the optics. And I've never thought Ferguson was good.

Just thinking the guy is better based off what?

A larger sample of Ferguson sucking, and Diallo showing some sign of aggression.

This is what I wrote for WTLC, should be out in a few days.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1755020#p69094760

[slick_watts]

I'd rather play the guy who I just think is better, no matter the optics. And I've never thought Ferguson was good.

Just thinking the guy is better based off what?

A larger sample of Ferguson sucking, and Diallo showing some sign of aggression.

This is what I wrote for WTLC, should be out in a few days.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1755020#p69094760

signs of aggression? that's a thin reasoning. diallo was a 2nd round pick and sold to us for nothing; so unless we're using preseason as the determining factor (which, is foolish to do for anything) i can't see what the basis is for favoring him over ferguson at all. you're saying you are preferring diallo because of ferguson's play last year, but imo this is classic choosing the unknown. we have what, 60 minutes of diallo in preseason? come on, man.

and i don't get just tossing aside the optics, either. the thunder have invested a lot of confidence in ferguson and elevating diallo over him like that will basically be throwing ferg into the dump already. i think it would be foolish to do this considering how little we have seen of each of these players this summer. yeah, yeah i know you're operating off the assumption that ferguson can't or won't improve over last year or something.

[bondom34]

Just thinking the guy is better based off what?

A larger sample of Ferguson sucking, and Diallo showing some sign of aggression.

This is what I wrote for WTLC, should be out in a few days.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1755020#p69094760

signs of aggression? that's a thin reasoning. diallo was a 2nd round pick and sold to us for nothing; so unless we're using preseason as the determining factor (which, is foolish to do for anything) i can't see what the basis is for favoring him over ferguson at all. you're saying you are preferring diallo because of ferguson's play last year, but imo this is classic choosing the unknown.

Because I have no faith in the known

[CROklahoma]

How about some stats, can you pull stats based on Fergs limited minutes with OKC last year, and Diallo's in this preseason. Thats the only sample size we can compare right now.

Diallo seems more comfortable, more ready, and like a better fit in every category than Ferguson. Why should we give up on Diallos potential on a huge and fast uprise, just to continue optimistic Terrance train, in which he really didnt show a single thing.

Terrance needs 2 years to get NBA ready body just to be on the floor, Diallo is already outmuscling guys on boards ... Its evident we got ourselfes a steal with this guy in 2nd round.

He may be raw as anyone, but he's a lot better gamble right now given the circumstances that Dre will be out of his form for atleast half a year, if not forever ...

[slick_watts]

A larger sample of Ferguson sucking, and Diallo showing some sign of aggression.

This is what I wrote for WTLC, should be out in a few days.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1755020#p69094760

signs of aggression? that's a thin reasoning. diallo was a 2nd round pick and sold to us for nothing; so unless we're using preseason as the determining factor (which, is foolish to do for anything) i can't see what the basis is for favoring him over ferguson at all. you're saying you are preferring diallo because of ferguson's play last year, but imo this is classic choosing the unknown.

Because I have no faith in the known

please don't bring religion into this.

why diallo and not abrines, then?

[slick_watts]

How about some stats, can you pull stats based on Fergs limited minutes with OKC last year, and Diallo's in this preseason.

Why should we give up on...

just a pet peeve of mine. nobody is giving up on anything. you can prefer one thing over another, and still like both things. this 'give up on' trope occurs most often in trade talks. i.e.- oh, you want to trade terrance ferguson this summer? why should we give up on him?

i don't even like ferguson, and i like what diallo has done in preseason.

[bondom34]

signs of aggression? that's a thin reasoning. diallo was a 2nd round pick and sold to us for nothing; so unless we're using preseason as the determining factor (which, is foolish to do for anything) i can't see what the basis is for favoring him over ferguson at all. you're saying you are preferring diallo because of ferguson's play last year, but imo this is classic choosing the unknown.

Because I have no faith in the known

please don't bring religion into this.

why diallo and not abrines, then?

I know he sucks too? I mean, 2 options definitely suck. 1 might not.

[slick_watts]

Because I have no faith in the known

please don't bring religion into this.

why diallo and not abrines, then?

I know he sucks too? I mean, 2 options definitely suck. 1 might not.

abrines made several threes off screens this preseason and even curled around one and hit a floater!

[bondom34]

please don't bring religion into this.

why diallo and not abrines, then?

I know he sucks too? I mean, 2 options definitely suck. 1 might not.

abrines made several threes off screens this preseason and even curled around one and hit a floater!

He still is rough defensively, and doesn't bring much else.

I wouldn't be totally against him but I'd rather a guy who has a higher ceiling until Dre is back.