Comments on: Breaking Down The Etan Thomas Trade

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:56:32 +0000

Darnell, I watched Atkins when he was playing, and you are right. But a veteran point who mentors Westbrook and also calms the storm is expensive, no ifs, ands, or buts. And the vet thinks he doesn’t deserve to be a 3rd-string PG if the 1st-string can’t cut it.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:05:41 +0000

HAHA, guess what? I"m a Wizards fan as well. And you're wrong. Bad character? You would be the first to label Thomas a bad-character guy. Yes he fought with Haywood. But he was defending himself. He might not have an offensive post game to speak of but he definitely is a tough rebounder, solid shot-blocker and capable interior defender. His problem throughout his career has been injuries. And even if he continues to struggle to stay healthy as a member of the Thunder, he's only under contract for one more season not the six-year, $36-million deal he inked in Washington. The Wizards hoped he could be their starting center or split time as the starter. The Thunder is looking for 20 minutes a night, at best, behind Nenad Krstic. I wouldn't call that much of a problem for Oklahoma City. -DM-

By: HAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHA — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:37:29 +0000

HAHAHAHA. As a wizards fan, i can tell you that everything in this article is completely wrong. Thomas has no post skills, has no defensive ability. He has bad character and has always fought with Brendon Haywood and his coaches. Also he had major heart surgery last year. You dont want him as a mentor, he’s not tough minded. Good luck, he’s your problem now.

By: dale

dale — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:26:32 +0000

Anthony Carter,Jacque Vaughn or jason williams three possible point guards the thunder could sign who do you think we should sign if any of them? If not what free agents should we add or should we just go with who we have.

By: Gus

Gus — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:52:07 +0000

As a Wizards fan, I strongly advise you guys not to get your hopes up too high. Etan’s a good guy, but he’s always injured (and never the same injury twice), and, well, he’s not very good. He gives the impression of playing hard by shaking the ball after rebounds like dog about to kill its prey, but that’s about it. He’s undersized and he plays like it. I’m really impressed with the Thunder and I don’t think this was a bad move at all, but don’t expect too much. Hopefully, he’ll stay healthy, but I think the window of opportunity for actually reaching his potential closed a long time ago.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:57:53 +0000

Thomas, I also said the Thunder needs a “guy you count on to be a calming force behind Westbrook or in emergency situations like rampant injuries, for example.” Did you see Chucky play last season? He did anything but keep the ship steady when called upon. But he was a great as a mentor on the bench (when he wasn’t eating popcorn). But the Thunder needs a steady hand. Atkins never proved to be that. -DM-

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:42:58 +0000

Darnell, you said the most pressing need (I assume) is a veteran point guard (not Kyle Weaver), “not necessarily someone who comes in and plays 20 minutes but someone who can at least be in Russell Westbrook’s ear on the practice court, the bench, the team plane and team bus. Someone has to be able to mentor and show a second-year point guard the way besides the head coach.” If that is true, why didn’t the Thunder trade Chucky Atkins in the first place? Last season, when we traded with Denver to get Atkins, the Thunder staff wanted him to do all of the things you commented above. And now the Thunder traded him, and you want to get a different veteran PG? I don’t understand.

By: dale

dale — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:53:50 +0000

Anthony Carter,Jacque Vaughn or jason williams three possible point guards the thunder could sign. I love williams or carter. However i also really like livingston would love to see them resign him and williams… What do you think DM… what should the thunder do???

By: Tuesday Bolts – 7.28.09 | Daily Thunder.com - Where Thunder Happens

Tuesday Bolts – 7.28.09 | Daily Thunder.com - Where Thunder Happens — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:33:34 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry: “On one hand, the deal could be viewed simply as three aging reserves and two second-round picks swapping places. But this trade holds much more significance for the Thunder in both the short and long term. Just last week I touched on how the Thunder’s post play remains the weakest link. Young guns D.J. White, Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens aren’t ready to contribute consistent minutes next season and the addition of Thomas now means they don’t have to. Oklahoma City is now looking at a steady power forward/center rotation of Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic as the starters and Nick Collison and Etan Thomas as their backups. Roles should be clearly defined in 2009-10 as opposed to the uncertain responsibilities surrounding Thunder bigs Collison, Green, Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith, Robert Swift and Johan Petro at the start of last season.” [...]

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:04:30 +0000

HSKONG, Livingston’s contract situation is a little unclear. The Thunder has an out clause of some sort on him. But he would make 13 if he is indeed on the team in the regular season. I’ll try to get this straightened out and get to the bottom of it. -DM-