Comments on: Thoughts on the Thunder’s Deadline Deals

By: Dragon

Dragon — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:08:27 +0000

As a Thunder fan,I hated to see James leave.I can’t see how,as far as W’s and L’s are concerned,trading him could possible make us better.Still,if you look at what it did for James Harden the player,it’s hard to argue it wasn’t the best thing for him.He plays 38.3 minutes a game, he’s an All-Star,#3 in league scoring @26.5,a five year max contract,a starter and the go to guy on his team.Since 6th men of the year rarely is an All-Star,I would say none of that could have happened if he would have stayed here. I’m sorry to see Eric go too.Before the injury,when he was running the second team,it ran really smooth.He and Russell were so different in their playing of the position.It made me think that opponents needed to game plan us for two teams. As far as this trade,I’m going to wait and see,but I,for one,trust Sam’s judgement,because unlike some fans,I think starting basically from scratch and getting to the NBA finals in five years is a remarkable tranformation. I don’t know much about Ronnie Brewer,but I think it would have beem better if we could have gotten Corey Brewer.ha-ha-ha

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:24:08 +0000

Big D, it was actually Westbrook guarding Bryant on that play you were talking about, but regardless, I’m with you on hating having to lose Maynor.

On Presti whiffing on Aldrich, you have to look at the overall track record. I don’t know of any GM in any league that hasn’t missed on a pick or a trade here and there. It happens, just like anything else in life. But I think it’s safe to say that Presti’s record to this point stands up to scrutiny. And then some.

Trading Harden possibly the worst move in NBA history? Yeah, I don’t think so. I was hoping they could keep him – and not everyone was, from what I recall – but had they paid him what he wanted, they and we would be regretting it a few years down the road. If you read up some on the new CBA and the progressive penalties that start kicking in once you’re over the max line…..simply put, be glad things worked out the way they did.

I didn’t want to lose Harden, but OKC is set up very well for the long-term now, thanks in no small part to that trade. Had he stayed, it would have forced some other incredibly tough decisions in the not-too-distant future, and would have been a bigger gamble than trading him away. And Harden was never going to put up the numbers here that he’s doing in Houston. Different situations.

He’s a hell of a player and he’s in a good situation down there right now. Short term, it hurt to lose him, even though the verdict for OKC on this season is not in yet, claims to the contrary notwithstanding. Long term though, it’s probably better that Harden is wearing a Rockets uniform now instead of a Thunder uniform.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:49:47 +0000

To Big D- Harden could not be afforded due to Westbrook was ahead of Harden in the Draft, but if it was the other way, Harden and not Westbrook should have been on the team. Mike is right that Harden makes his teammates better, while Westbrook only thinks of himself and sometimes makes a fool of himself, with forced shots, bad shot selection and poor decision making when to shot or pass the ball!

If you say Harden is not a point guard, then Westbrook is also not. He did not play as a point guard in school and was converted by Brooks although between the two players, Harden is smarter tool in the shed than Westbrook. Westbrook has only one speed, while Harden has variable speed from dead stop to hesitation move to full speed.

By: Big D

Big D — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:44:16 +0000

@Mike,Harden is not a pg. either nor does he make his teammates better.If Westbrook was on a team without another star he would put up AT LEAST similar numbers as Harden…We couldn’t afford to ay him,bottom line AND Westbrook was more important.

By: red

red — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:39:15 +0000

well we have draft picks of all kinds but these players have lots of growing up to do. Could we just get some grown up players to help right away.
However Brooks is so set in his ways he does not listen to anyone’s suggestions. Wonder if he ever ask his other coaches for a thought.
I like KD but his last game was anything but wonderful. Wonder what would happen if they shared the ball as a team. Yes I am still on that rant.

By: New Daily Thunder.com Friday Bolts – 2.22.13 | New Daily Thunder.com

New Daily Thunder.com Friday Bolts – 2.22.13 | New Daily Thunder.com — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:42:19 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry: “Here’s another way to look at the trade exception received in the Maynor deal. It effectively extends the lifespan of Maynor as an asset. If the Thunder didn’t trade Maynor today, he likely would have walked in free agency this summer. The Thunder would have lost him for nothing. But by trading Maynor now and getting the exception, the Thunder essentially gets another year to get something (there’s that word again) for him, theoretically of course. It beats getting a measly mid-second round pick. It’s a pretty [shrewd] move.” [...]

By: Gus

Gus — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:32:58 +0000

The Thunder is missing the point on trades, because what now that Perkins again is hurt, that does not justfy getting another LeBron Stopper. The Thunder needs a quicker center who can move quickly to block LeBron from going down the lane with his drives. The center needs also to score, rebound and block shots. I don’t know why Presti and Brooks collect so many player assets, without using them. They use them for trade baits, I guess that what they want them for.

Last night’s game between the Heat and The bulls, LeBron was going to the basket at full speed and little Nate Robinson, just tried to grab LeBron arms while running with him and something got LeBron to be hopping around for several seconds. The TNT analyst called it a “charlie horse”, but that is what I am saying, somebody quick and not intimidated should be enough to make LeBron think twice.

BTW, LeBron was not awarded any free throws from that drive to the basket and coach Spoelstra was complaining but nothing came about it.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:48:34 +0000

The biggest mistake Presti made was trading Harden. This might go down as one of the biggest blunders in NBA history. Harden is a top 10 player who is not only a great scorer but an all around player who makes his teammates better. I like Westbrook but he is not a point guard and doesn’t make his teammates that much better. I also don’t understand Prest’s and Brooks infatuation with Perkins. Keeping him prevented us from offering Harden the max and that is why we probably won’t even get by the Spurs this year. This could of been our year but unfortunately it is not shaping up that way. What could have been.

By: redriverndn

redriverndn — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:39:48 +0000

I don’t recall ANYONE claiming Larry Sanders was better than Cole on draft night & that the THUNDER were making a mistake….

But who am I to doubt the powers of Captain Hindsight….

By: Bob Watts

Bob Watts — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:38:54 +0000

Speaking of diamonds in the rough that Presiti pulls off each year, lets take a look at the fools gold as well. Two first round picks for Cole Aldridge, $40,000,000 for Perk which left no money for Harden, and missing on Larry Sanders at pick #15 while going after Cole. Larry just happened to be Maynors team mate at VCU so he was not unknown. The Thunder could have had Sanders and Harden but instead have Perk, a new back up point guard, and two less first round picks. Lets hope Brewer is good.