Comments on: Should OKC Have Taken A Chance On Big Al?

By: Zach

Zach — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:46:22 +0000

There is no way you can say there is no way the Thunder are better off without Al Jefferson. A 20-10 guy would be a huge addition to the Thunder. Maybe Jefferson would not have been that guy but he at least has a history of being very productive.

The larger point is after the draft the Thunder had little chance to get Jefferson. Anything short of Westrbook would not have been as attractive to Minnesota as Utah’s (or Cleveland’s or Toronto’s) trade exception. Utah’s trade exception allowed Minnesota to save about 11 million this year.

By: Hank

Hank — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:12:24 +0000

Jefferson is not the right guy because he shoots too many mid-range jump shots and isn’t that great at it. Same issue as Green. If they can get a real power forward who rebounds well, plays defense well and shoots inside more or shoots from mid-range better then go for that. Green isn’t the guy and neither is Jefferson. Ibaka is not bad but may or may not be enough to win big in the west.

By: Friday Bolts – 7.16.10 | Daily Thunder.com

Friday Bolts – 7.16.10 | Daily Thunder.com — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:49:13 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry writes OKC is “better off” without Al Jefferson: “Maybe Jefferson will be a great addition for the Jazz. Maybe Utah should have simply plugged Paul Millsap into Boozer’s spot. But it’s no question Oklahoma City is better off without Jefferson. The Thunder has a squad that won 50 games last year. A group that has proven it fits together and won’t complain about roles or touches. Most importantly, the Thunder has a bunch that has done all those things without blowing the budget.” [...]

By: jon

jon — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:40:16 +0000

Jefferson was pricey, but OKC does need a low-post scoring option, and a healthy Jefferson would have been that guy. Don’t forget dude gets ten plus boards per game, which would have been helpful for getting out on the break with all that athleticism. The D is suspect now but again he hasn’t been coached by Scotty Brooks nor been around
leadership like KD is showing, experienced a locker room culture envied around The League, or played on a winning team. Maybe he buys into it all and you end up with a beast.

By: Suicide Lines: Shaquille O’Neal a Knick? Hugh Weber a jerk? | Sport News

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:09:43 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry, Oklahoman: "From a business standpoint, the Thunder is being wise about its budget. To ink Kevin Durant(notes), Russell Westbrook(notes), Jeff Green(notes), James Harden(notes) and Serge Ibaka(notes) to contract extensions without having an overblown budget, the Thunder must utilize some restraint now. And that’s precisely what OKC has done in sitting on the sidelines while others splurge on free agents." [...]

By: Suicide Lines: Shaquille O’Neal a Knick? Jeff Weber a jerk? | Sport News

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:06:12 +0000

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:40:38 +0000

Darnell, do some research. Al Jefferson would have been off the books by the time James Harden and Serge Ibaka are due for extensions…

By: Thunder wise to pass on Al Jefferson? | Ben Maller

Thunder wise to pass on Al Jefferson? | Ben Maller — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:19:20 +0000

[...] truly arriving as a championship contender. And to some degree, that might certainly be the case. But the truth of the matter is there just isn’t enough room for a player like Al Jefferson to comm…. Realistically, how many times a game will Westbrook and Durant dump it down to a post player, [...]

By: Oklahoma City pinching pennies this off season? | Ben Maller

Oklahoma City pinching pennies this off season? | Ben Maller — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:15:39 +0000

[...] a business standpoint, the Thunder is being wise about its budget. To ink Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, James Harden and Serge Ibaka to contract extensi…, the Thunder must utilize some restraint now. And that’s precisely what OKC has done in sitting [...]