2015-16 OKC Thunder

[dankrutka]

This popped up on my feed earlier. Although the guy is clearly biased (he even states that), still has some interesting points about Presti that do make you wonder.

http://clnsradio.com/boston-celtics-...a-city-thunder

That's about as absurd of an analysis of Presti's work as I could imagine someone writing. There is also a lot of incorrect information. It's really not worth reading. He obviously decided Presti was a bad GM and then wrote an article to fit that narrative. There's a fair debate to be had about Presti's job, especially surrounding the Harden trade and the Cole Aldrich pick. However, there is no doubt that Presti is either the best or among the best drafters in the NBA. I think he is the best. It's amazing what he has done. His free agency work has been mixed, but he's also had a lot of limitations. Anyway, if KD stays in OKC, Presti will have been a big reason why.

[Bellaboo]

This popped up on my feed earlier. Although the guy is clearly biased (he even states that), still has some interesting points about Presti that do make you wonder.

http://clnsradio.com/boston-celtics-...a-city-thunder

The guys an 'idiot'. I'd trade Harden for the pick that landed Steven Adams all day long. If I remember, they kept Ibaka because of his defense, and the fact that Harden couldn't guard a trash can was well know at the time.

[dankrutka]

The guys an 'idiot'. I'd trade Harden for the pick that landed Steven Adams all day long. If I remember, they kept Ibaka because of his defense, and the fact that Harden couldn't guard a trash can was well know at the time.

The guy's article is pretty ridiculous, but I think the Harden trade is still a fair debate. People act like Harden is terrible, which is absurd. He's a top two shooting guard in the NBA. The Rockets were a mess this season, but Harden wasn't the reason why. He actually put up MVP numbers. Of course, he should shoulder some of the leadership blame. But I think OKC might already have a title if they hadn't made that trade.

Pretty much everything else in the article is bogus though.

[Anonymous.]

It's not called the Harden Trade anymore. It is now called the Adams Trade.

[Zuplar]

I agreed with you guys sentiment. I think Presti is fantastic.

[PhiAlpha]

The guy's article is pretty ridiculous, but I think the Harden trade is still a fair debate. People act like Harden is terrible, which is absurd. He's a top two shooting guard in the NBA. The Rockets were a mess this season, but Harden wasn't the reason why. He actually put up MVP numbers. Of course, he should shoulder some of the leadership blame. But I think OKC might already have a title if they hadn't made that trade.

Pretty much everything else in the article is bogus though.

Harden wasn't necessarily the reason for Houston being terrible, but his patented defense (or lack thereof) certainly didn't do them any favors.

[Thomas Vu]

Neither did getting rid of the coach who got them to the WCF.

[MitchellCole]

That's about as absurd of an analysis of Presti's work as I could imagine someone writing. There is also a lot of incorrect information. It's really not worth reading. He obviously decided Presti was a bad GM and then wrote an article to fit that narrative. There's a fair debate to be had about Presti's job, especially surrounding the Harden trade and the Cole Aldrich pick. However, there is no doubt that Presti is either the best or among the best drafters in the NBA. I think he is the best. It's amazing what he has done. His free agency work has been mixed, but he's also had a lot of limitations. Anyway, if KD stays in OKC, Presti will have been a big reason why.

Possibly, but Golden St's GM drafted 3 key contributors in his 1ST draft (2012). He got Barnes at 7, Ezeli at 30, and Green at 35. Meanwhile, Presti drafted Perry Jones at 28 in the same draft.

[dankrutka]

Possibly, but Golden St's GM drafted 3 key contributors in his 1ST draft (2012). He got Barnes at 7, Ezeli at 30, and Green at 35. Meanwhile, Presti drafted Perry Jones at 28 in the same draft.

The 28 pick in most drafts rarely pans out. There are no busts beyond the lottery really as most players don't amount up much. Yes, Golden State's GM had a great draft, but Presti has done the same. He picked Westbrook and Harden above where they were projected, hit on Ibaka and Reggie Jackson in the 20s, and got a top 3 player in the 2013 draft at #12. I think Cam Payne will turn out to be another steal in the 20s. He's been amazing.

[Thomas Vu]

Let's leave Ezeli out. He either does average, or everything horribly wrong.

[dankrutka]

Well, for a 30th pick, is Ezeli is about as good as it gets.

[MitchellCole]

The 28 pick in most drafts rarely pans out. There are no busts beyond the lottery really as most players don't amount up much. Yes, Golden State's GM had a great draft, but Presti has done the same. He picked Westbrook and Harden above where they were projected, hit on Ibaka and Reggie Jackson in the 20s, and got a top 3 player in the 2013 draft at #12. I think Cam Payne will turn out to be another steal in the 20s. He's been amazing.

I don't know if I'd call Adams top 3, but it was a good pick for sure. 2013 had Antetokounmpo, Noel, Gobert, McCollum, and Oladipo. Adams is still realizing his potential, so he could jump ahead of these guys in my mind.

Noel and Gobert are monster defenders.

[dankrutka]

I don't know if I'd call Adams top 3, but it was a good pick for sure. 2013 had Antetokounmpo, Noel, Gobert, McCollum, and Oladipo. Adams is still realizing his potential, so he could jump ahead of these guys in my mind.

Noel and Gobert are monster defenders.

That's fair, but I'd put him at 4 as of now. I'd go 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2. Gobert, 3. McCollum, 4. Adams. The Thunder drafted him at #12 so it is still quite a testament to Presti's drafting skills.

[Laramie]

We had Shawn Livingston working out with the Thunder during his rehabilitation return in 2009:

http://newsok.com/article/3410667

[dankrutka]

Livingston didn't just work out with the team, he played for them. I was surprised no reporters asked Livingston about the Thunder being such a big stepping stone on his way back after his injury. His comeback is an amazing story.

[Thomas Vu]

I forgot Livingston was with the team.

[Anonymous.]

Oh man, the vengeance I feel after Lebron and Irving destroyed the Warriors is oh so nice. Their fans were all over social media the last 3 weeks laughing about how we choked away a 3-1 lead. It is going to be nice this off-season going about knowing they choked away the same lead, but with home court!

Curry had a relatively miserable Finals for a unanimous MVP.

How about Irving, though? That game winning shot took major kiwis. And of course, Lebron shows once again why he is in the GOAT conversation.

[Laramie]

+1

Irving hit some very difficult shots. As usual, LeBron gets all the credit for putting the team on his back.

[Jake]

Curry got outplayed in two straight series.

[Urbanized]

Pretty poor showing from the "best team in history." Taken to seven in both WCF and Finals, blown out in multiple games, closed out at home by a team who not only had been down 3-1 but who fired their head coach earlier in the season and was not really expected to compete. Heck, the Cavs weren't even Lebron James' best team ever...and they beat the greatest team of all time!

In other news, LeBron is good.

[dankrutka]

It really was a pretty amazing turn around. The Warriors looked like a potential dynasty, and I believed in them. But I really think the Thunder's defensive switching exposed some cracks that hadn't really shown before. Then the Cavs were able to use much of that same strategy. But, as much as anything, Curry and Thompson came down to earth. I wonder if the grind of winning 73 games got to them.

Kyrie's shot was huge, but that was the only make of the final 17 shots. LeBron was amazing and Kyrie hit tough shots regularly. I suspect they'll trade love for some pieces that fit their team better this offseason. Next season is going to be really fun with several teams contending.

Also, if there are implications for KD's free agency, I think it's a good thing that a small market, Eastern conference team won. Why go East if that's where the best team is now? And, why leave a small market if you can win? KD probably didn't need to see the Cavs win, but I don't think it'll hurt. I expect KD to sign a one year contract, but I'm really hoping he just makes a crazy sacrifice and signs the long term deal now.

[Anonymous.]

It really was a pretty amazing turn around. The Warriors looked like a potential dynasty, and I believed in them. But I really think the Thunder's defensive switching exposed some cracks that hadn't really shown before. Then the Cavs were able to use much of that same strategy. But, as much as anything, Curry and Thompson came down to earth. I wonder if the grind of winning 73 games got to them.

Kyrie's shot was huge, but that was the only make of the final 17 shots. LeBron was amazing and Kyrie hit tough shots regularly. I suspect they'll trade love for some pieces that fit their team better this offseason. Next season is going to be really fun with several teams contending.

Also, if there are implications for KD's free agency, I think it's a good thing that a small market, Eastern conference team won. Why go East if that's where the best team is now? And, why leave a small market if you can win? KD probably didn't need to see the Cavs win, but I don't think it'll hurt. I expect KD to sign a one year contract, but I'm really hoping he just makes a crazy sacrifice and signs the long term deal now.

A weird part of me thinks this could actually happen. Kind of like when he signed his current contract, he was so chill about it. But he is human, and that could be a lot of money forgone for a few years, for really no reason since he can just do 'Summer of KD' again in 2017.

[AP]

I kinda think he will do it, just so he doesn't have to deal with the distraction again next year.

[Bill Robertson]

And, if understand the rules correctly a players current team can pay more than the other teams. If so then Durant would lose less money on a long term deal if he stays here.

[dankrutka]

And, if understand the rules correctly a players current team can pay more than the other teams. If so then Durant would lose less money on a long term deal if he stays here.

Even with that, KD would be sacrificing a huge amount of money. I actually think it would be unprecedented. The Spurs guys and Dirk didn't do it until far later in their careers.