Comments on: Desmond Mason, Thunder Part Ways

By: Beast

Beast — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:43:26 +0000

Wow. You guys really think $$$ wasn’t invovled? Stop livingin this Utopian world. Of course it was involved, you are being too close minded if you think otherwise. This is good. Presti has finally cleansed most of this roster from poor, poor financial decisions aka WIlcoxs contract, Masons contract, Watsons contract, nothing more need be said. He would of only hindered our perimeter game from development. These guys need as many minutes as can be had.

By: mase

mase — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:40:54 +0000

thundertrip Dez didnt let money get in the way at all… if you read the article when it was first released his agent stated that money was not an option… He wanted to finish up his career as a thunder.. he let that be known way ahead of time… but i do agree tho… having some type of veteran leadership, especially coming from mason, is wat these young guys need and can use… mason still can be an assest to the thunder especially on the defensive end… The thunder are stacked with alot of offensive firepower but they could have def used mason’s leadership,defense,and heart….

By: Carey

Carey — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:56:41 +0000

I loved what Mason brought to this team, i hate to see him go but under the circumstances it was necessary. We have young guys on the wing in Durant, Sefolosha, Harden, and Weaver that all need time and Mason being here would hamper some of their development. These guys wont be the veteran presence he is but they can do the things on the floor that he does. For example if we brought Mason back he would be backing up Durant, Harden and Sefolosha would be playing the 2, that means Kyle Weaver wouldnt be getting any minutes. It’s important for us to see what we have in Weaver going forward, we know he’s a good defender, but can he become a lock down defender? , a knock down spot up shooter? I think so but we could never find that out with Mason on the roster. Harden’s game compare’s alot to Paul Pierce and i think he can play streches as a undersized 3 and be very effective, but with Mason on this team that’s not really a possibility, Sefolosha may be the best perimeter defender in the entire league and has a chance to really breakout this year, that’s less likely with Mason on the team. I’d like to Mason for what he did last year by staying with team for all the practices and road trips after the injury, he’s a one of a kind leader, but in this situation we are better served to move on.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:29:36 +0000

The money was not the main issue. The main issue was playing time, and Sam Presti/Scott Brooks couldn’t be sure the Thunder would get Desmond Mason enough time on the court. As for siding with Mason or the Thunder staff, I really don’t know.

By: thundertrip

thundertrip — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:22:59 +0000

“basketball players” sorry it’s late. lol

By: thundertrip

thundertrip — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:21:29 +0000

Sorry Carey I have to disagree. Desmond would have been a great help with the growth of the guys you mentioned plus the rest of the team. Not only as basketball plays but as individuals. It’s a shame he let money get in the way. Not something I would have expected from Desmond. But it is a business.

By: Carey

Carey — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:56:13 +0000

Seen this coming, We have young guys on the perimeter that are our future and guys that we have to get playing time to see how they fit going forward, I love Mason and the leader he was but his presence would only stunt the growth of guys like Weaver, Harden and Sefolosha.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:10:21 +0000

If “$10 million under the salary cap” means we can use that money to sign/trade for a quality bigman who can score points in the paint and grab rebounds (which we are lacking), I am all for this. But if we sit with $10 million and do nothing, that money can’t give you that (score points and grab rebounds).