Spreading the Thunder to NBA fans in China
I blogged yesterday about the Chinese website contacting me for information on the Thunder. Today, I’ll share the answers I sent to China:
1. How do you evaluate the team’s performance this season? With the full mark at 10, how much will you credit for the thunder?
I think this season was a 6. This season never was about winning. It always was about building for the future, and after the rough start, the Thunder certainly improved and set themselves up for great improvement. The coaching obviously was a problem early, but Scott Brooks seemed to stabilize things. The Thunder found its point guard of the future in Russell Westbrook, a defensive stopper in Sefolosha, a budding star in Jeff Green and a budded star in Kevin Durant. On top of that, the Thunder found a center, Krstic, on the scrap heap, and found three young players that at least have a chance to contribute: Weaver, White and Livingston. I think it was a very fruitful season, notwithstanding.
2. What do you think will be the major tasks in the free agent market this summer for Sam Presti?
The major needs for Sam Presti is interior defense. Either through the draft or free agency, the Thunder must guard the basket better. Krstic is more of an offensive center; when the Thunder traded for Tyson Chandler, it seemed to give OKC a nice 1-2 combo in the middle. But when the trade fell through, the need resurfaced. The Thunder doesn’t necessarily need a shot blocker, but it must have a guy who fiercely guards the paint. Even if the Thunder somehow lands Blake Griffin in the draft, more post presence is needed defensively.
3. Who are your favorite picks at the draft for thunder and who do you think will be the final decisions? Reasons?
Blake Griffin obviously is No. 1. If the Thunder can’t get him, I would go for a big man. I like Arizona’s Jordan Hill and UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet is a shot blocker and Hill is a rugged power forward. The Thunder always could use another shooter like Arizona State’s James Hardin, but the interior is the more pressing need.
4. What do you think about Russell Westbrook? Some think he is not the right one to play at the point, should become a sixth man to bring some energy off the bench.
I think if the Thunder can get Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups or Derrick Rose for next to nothing, then fine, let’s kick Westbrook to the curb. But otherwise, I don’t understand the questions about Westbrook. You’ve got a rookie point guard, who is only 20 years old, and didn’t get to play much point in the past, who averages 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a game for a bad team. He’s wonderfully athletic, and everyone thinks he will become a defensive stopper. He’s a penetrator deluxe. His flaws are that his decision-making is still shaky and he’s not a great shooter. There are about 29 NBA teams that hope the Thunder listens to the skeptics and moves Westbrook off the point.
5. What do you think about next season? Will the thunder become a playoff runner?
I don’t see the Thunder challenging for the playoffs next season. I think it still will take about 46-48 wins to make the Western Conference playoffs, and I think about 38 wins is the high side for the Thunder next season. But the year after that, watch out.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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