Welcome to OKC Aleksej POKUsevski

[Mickey8]

If he can get stronger and put some quality mass on that frame, he's the multiple all star player at least, I mean its hard to find 7 footer being so smooth with the ball in his hands, the way he dribbles , taking not just the tall players off the dribble but the guards as well , its very impressive . When he gets stronger , his shooting will improve, those jump shots off the dribble will go in regularly , we know he can pass too. Its all about his physical development. If he's able to improve his body he will have successful NBA career. And then OKC will have to make the choice between Pokusevski or Bazley . I have noticed that Pokusevski plays very bad when he shares floor with Bazley , Bazley is the ball dominate player so he cancels Pokusevski game.

[slick_watts]

multiple all-star at least? huh? this guy was one of the worst players in the league, and perhaps one of the worst 1st round pick rookies ever for most of the season.

going from his rookie season, even making it to 'positive contributor' would be a big accomplishment.

[bbms]

Pokusevski can be a very high impact player if he cleans up his shooting. There's definitely no middle ground here. From his tape I think 17th pick is about right but he definitely shown flashes of possibly ending up as one of the best players of his class.

[spearsy23]

I'd caution that shooting variance is easily mistaken for potential.

[Old Man Game]

I don't know enough to guess but for what its worth, Ryen Russillo a few months back on the Bill Simmons podcast when discussing Poku (he was sort of a running joke on that pod all season) said something to the effect of 'when you talk to scouts they're still super high on him. I don't see it but scouts think there's something there.'

[spearsy23]

I don't know enough to guess but for what its worth, Ryen Russillo a few months back on the Bill Simmons podcast when discussing Poku (he was sort of a running joke on that pod all season) said something to the effect of 'when you talk to scouts they're still super high on him. I don't see it but scouts think there's something there.'

I think that makes sense to an extent. He exceeded my expectations the second half of last year. Granted, that's because of how low they were to begin with. But the things he was drafted for proved to exist, now he just has to learn how to do everything basketball related.

[nolang1]

I'd caution that shooting variance is easily mistaken for potential.

In this case shooting variance would be reason to be optimistic on him, no? He started the season on an awful slump from three, his free throw percentages compared to his three-point percentages have always suggested a regression to the mean in a positive direction, and there have there have been plenty of other skinny teenage rookies who struggled from three (KD, Trae, etc.). He's also extra aggressive in taking them in the first place, which dampened his numbers and isn't likely to happen on a non-tanking team with better players.

[Mickey8]

Does anyone know if Pokusevski gain any weight or if he got some muscles , he didn't participate in the summer league, so I guess he was working on his body.

[namlede]

thoughts on Poku after his first 2 seasons?


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[ThunderBolt]

thoughts on Poku after his first 2 seasons?


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Maybe. But I doubt it.

[timO]

he was clearly not nba ready

he needed to expend this 2 years in europe and come now...

hes still 20 some guys in this draft are older, Holmgren the pick 1 is only 5 months younger

he improves at least a litle this year, shooting 34 to 41%

The 3 point shot still bad 28 to 29%

and less turnovers

[EnragedThunder]

I had hope, but unfortunately this was not a good draft pick in terms of making it back to the playoffs.

Like Roberson, the GM needs to move past his philosophy of drafting experimental type players with hopeful potential, and instead he must draft players that are 100% NBA ready.

If not, he's going to be left in the dust and its already started. Several people I know have lost interest in the Thunder and its not surprising when its hard to even see them on TV.

[ThunderBolt]

I had hope, but unfortunately this was not a good draft pick in terms of making it back to the playoffs.

Like Roberson, the GM needs to move past his philosophy of drafting experimental type players with hopeful potential, and instead he must draft players that are 100% NBA ready.

If not, he's going to be left in the dust and its already started. Several people I know have lost interest in the Thunder and its not surprising when its hard to even see them on TV.

This isn’t going to happen. If you have two hours to listen to Presti’s exit interview.

[Dadouv47]

here comes our future MVP

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[1bigfan13]

I had hope, but unfortunately this was not a good draft pick in terms of making it back to the playoffs.

Like Roberson, the GM needs to move past his philosophy of drafting experimental type players with hopeful potential, and instead he must draft players that are 100% NBA ready.

If not, he's going to be left in the dust and its already started. Several people I know have lost interest in the Thunder and its not surprising when its hard to even see them on TV.

I've said the same thing about Presti's draft philosophy.

I lost some interest in the team as well. I'm still a fan but for the first time in over a decade I didn't purchase NBA League pass because I had no interest in paying $200 just to watch a team purposely tank and shut down their best players. I watched about about 20 games this year either on NBA TV or thru various streams....other than that, I just followed the season through the box scores.

I also hate how Thunder fans have bought into the asinine notion that rebuilds have to take ~5 years.

I've actually had Thunder fans tell me Poku was the right pick over Bane just because Bane was ready to contribute immediately and he wouldn't fit our rebuild timeline.

What?!?! Excuse me for assuming the purpose of the draft was to add the best player available. Bane would have been a huge help with the rebuild. I'm sure SGA would love to be able to play with an elite shooter on the court who could create more space for him to operate.

If the Thunder actually placed a little more prirotiy on drafting experienced players whose bodies are also NBA ready, that rebuild timeline could easily be cut to 3 years.

[Johnston797]

Poku had a nice year. Doubled his PER. FG% improved from 34% to 41%. +/- improved dramatically especially on the defensive side of the ball which matched the eye test. Clearly, worked on his body and gained critical strength. Looks to be able to guard 2-5 a year or two down the line. Clearly, the swing skill is distance shooting. He will make a lot of money in the NBA if we becomes an average 3pt shooter or better given his ability to shoot on the move and all his other skills.

[Johnston797]

I also hate how Thunder fans have bought into the asinine notion that rebuilds have to take ~5 years.

I've actually had Thunder fans tell me Poku was the right pick over Bane just because Bane was ready to contribute immediately and he wouldn't fit our rebuild timeline.

What?!?! Excuse me for assuming the purpose of the draft was to add the best player available. Bane would have been a huge help with the rebuild. I'm sure SGA would love to be able to play with an elite shooter on the court who could create more space for him to operate.

If the Thunder actually placed a little more prirotiy on drafting experienced players whose bodies are also NBA ready, that rebuild timeline could easily be cut to 3 years.

Yea, clearly a pick of a Bane over a Poku is the right call. If you can pick the one guy at the end of the first round whom is a top 5 pick in a re-draft, you should take it. No way Presti argues that. Trade him then for more draft picks if you needed.

But, to your larger point, I disagree. Thunder are a small market team. It doesn't make sense to build the most competitive roster every year and eke out every possible win. OKC was super competitive. They pivoted. And are only finished their 2nd year of not full competing. Personally, I find the young guys super fun to watch (ignoring the lineups put out in the last 15 games of both years). And picking for potential vs. best able to contribute right now has a couple advantages: You will get more potential & your pick in the next draft will be better. Pretty smart for a small market team.

[vtime]

Is anyone else shocked he wasn’t dealt at the deadline? Sort of like Bazley was the year before. Seems like some asset may have been available, even if it was only a 2nd rd pick. Is the plan to let him walk?

[Clav]

Is anyone else shocked he wasn’t dealt at the deadline? Sort of like Bazley was the year before. Seems like some asset may have been available, even if it was only a 2nd rd pick. Is the plan to let him walk?

I agree with you, but maybe up to like 70%

Poku needs a new team, that much is evident... He hasnt' played well lately or much at all. He's racking up injuries every year. Aggregation was tricky bc low salary...

and finally since he'll be RFA, any team may offer him a contract.

Thunder aren't likely to match unless it's a really good deal (and they'll use that contract as salary aggregation later im sure)

Poku has talent but he's had issues putting it all together, he can't remain healthy unfortunately (and if he does get 3-years in a row of no injuries, he'll likely be worth more than MLE value)

He's a good buy low candidate this offseason.

[slick_watts]

there's a rumor that poku denied a g-league assignment at some point this year and that has resulted in a rift with the team and it's why he hasn't played much.