Griffin reminds me a lot of Carlos Boozer (who also plays mediocre defense), but based on this draft class he's clearly the BPA. I have no doubt that his mix of athleticism, strength and feel around the basket are going serve him well -- maybe not future all-star well, but well enough to be a solid starter. I think you might have a point about the 5 being the Thunder's 'only' glaring hole, but I'm not really sure Thabeet is the answer; the dude is severly limited offensively and just doesn't seem to have the strength and aggressiveness you'd look for in an NBA prospect, especially a prospect who is already 22 years old. OKC crapped the bed by rescinding the trade for Chandler, he would have instantly elevated them into a playoff contender next season, by giving them a legitimate 7' low post defender and solid rebounder.
I'll vouch for STOMP on this one. I clearly recall him being a huge proponent of Aldridge more than a year before we drafted him. (Same for Chris Paul.) I do disagree with STOMP with regards to Thabeet, though. He just screams "over-reached for big man" to me... Good athleticism, mobility, and defensive instincts, but I don't see that frame allowing him to beef up much and he plays so much smaller than his listed height. And, for the record, I'll be surprised if Griffin turns out to be much of a player.
I largely agree on both counts. I see Thabeet's reasonable upside as a prime Theo Ratliff type. I see Griffin being a solid starter, but not a major star.
Are you talking about Durant? Maybe Green? I doubt those guys are going anywhere... even after their rookie scale contracts expire. The Thunder are young and while I'm sure they want to continue to improve, I don't think there's much urgency to show short-term results like you state. Ed O.
For the record - the Thunder are 3-10 since Durant's return to action - including double-digit losses in their last 4 games. Reminder - they were 5-2 in the 7 games he was out prior to this much celebrated return.
Time will tell. I'm not claiming insider information here, but I have a sneaking suspicion that KD is the kind of guy that will be tempted by the bigger markets once he has a choice in the matter. This has nothing at all to do with Oklahoma's urgency or lack thereof.
Here are some great calls on the draft day thread.... Minstrel: Pain5155: Foulzilla: LameR: Mas RipCity
Maybe after his first extension expires in another 5 or 6 years, but he'd be a fool to walk away from considerable money and a very promising roster unless he was so dissatisfied with management that he couldn't bear to play in OKC. OKC may suck, but my guess is that most players want to win and get paid (the order varies) playing in a big market can help with endorsements, but I have no doubt the NBA will find a way to get him tons of exposure if he continues to light it up, and especially if his team improves.
Yup, I've admitted quite a few times that I miscalled that draft. I thought Telfair had quite a bit of promise and I thought Roy had only solid but not star potential. I still think Aldridge would have fallen to Portland's original #4 (considering the Bulls preferred Thomas), but considering how much better Aldridge has turned out than everyone else in the top-five, I'm very glad KP traded up for the certainty.
I wasn't trying to call you out or anything, I've been wrong before too. I just think it's funny how badly people (such as yourself) missed the boat that night. It should make everyone pause before they go-off acting like they know more than the professionals.
Dang, I hate to call somebody out, but this quote from the 2006 Aldridge/Roy draft just busts me up: http://www.basketballforum.com/portland-trail-blazers/283600-blazers-draft-day-grade.html To be fair, though, the same poster says the next day: The Telfair line should probably tell you who it was. Seems really out of character now. Also funny to hear how often Roy is compared to Doug Christie in that thread. Even I was doing it, and I was saying it wouldn't be so bad to have Doug Christie reincarnated! Seemed weird to see my name next to that post. That's such a great thread, and should be required reading at every draft or trade deadline.
I rule! I actually didn't mind the LMA pick, just was so pissed we got rid of Bassy I took it out on him..I was SO wrong on Roy
I'm taking a beating here, which is fair considering how far off I was on that one (but also unfair, since none of my stunning successes are being quoted....!) Anyway, one thing I'll point out is that what really caused me to fail on that draft analysis was how much I overvalued Telfair and how much I undervalued Roy...and both were caused by my putting way too much emphasis on how those players "looked" playing the game and too little on production. So, for those of you who claim I put way too much emphasis on numbers and statistical production...it prevents big mistakes like that.
Not really, no. I don't remember my stunning successes off-hand, nor am I motivated to search for any. Each poster here can decide for themselves how worthwhile my posts tend to be.
Nash was a professional only in that he got a paycheck for what he did. Which is like a crime when it came to draft day.
Go ahead and give me a new sig, you were right about Aldridge, but Batum all I could find was you saying he was intriguing. I've said a ton of players are intriguing before. Of course this has 0 to do with Blake Griffin being a better pro than Thabeet.
