OKC could look like this right now...and why Durant should be mad.

[Connor B]

PG - Westbrook
SG - Sefolosha
SF - Durant
PF - Ibaka
C - Collison

6th man - Harden, Perkins amnestied.

Decent bench.

Fire Scott Brooks, pick up a good coach.

And all of a sudden, you've got a near-dynasty. Harden as a starter as proven to be sometimes inconsistent and very turnover prone and have some questionable shot selections, but he would have run the gauntlet as a 6th man for years to come. Their clutch time line up would consist of two superstars (yes I think Westbrook is that good), an all-star in Harden, a good sometimes very good PF, and a center who frankly is passable (and certainly better than Perkins) on both ends of the floor. That's amazing. 2013 maybe they are in the Finals again, 2014-2017 I say no doubt.


Sam Presti may have literally jeopardized Durant's entire career. Their current lineup can't win a Championship. They could get to the Finals. That is possible. But they aren't beating the Heat and I doubt they would beat Indiana. If I'm Durant, I'm ****ing pissed. Especially after that Memphis series - he was pretty bad clutch time in that series but its hard to blame him when he was being depended on to do literally everything. This is where Brook's revealed himself to be one of the worst coaches in the NBA. Instead of doing something to make the bench/role players step up and creating a game plan that was still a team game, he literally ran pick/ISOs for Durant and Martin nearly the whole game. Most one-dimensional offense maybe ever featured in a playoff series. He won't win any rings as long as he is in OKC. I would demand a trade.

[Marchesk]

I don't know. Let's see what Lamb looks like now that he's going to get a chance. Let's see if Ibaka improves some more. Let's see if Westbrook jumps into the top 5 players in the league.

Then you still have a legit contender. I do worry about Brooks against the Heat, though. Maybe he would learn?

[TheMilkyBarKid]

If you wanna go further forget Perkins, just keep green.
Still they're looking good now.

[Young X]

I hate that Harden trade and always will. Whenever you have a young team that improves every year to the point where they make the finals, you do whatever it takes to keep them together. With how bad Wade and Bosh were playing, they damn well could've beaten Miami last year. SMH.

[kenny817]

As A Mavs fan...I'm pissed at OKC for the Harden trade

They trade him to the Rockets for absolutely nothing...Harden to Houston literally screwed the Mavs out of getting Dwight. Dwight wouldn't go there without Harden

F*ck OKC...choke artists. Hope they never ever ever win a ring

[el gringos]

What was it they traded for Tyson chandler before that trade got stopped for medical reasons? Couldn't it be-

Westbrook
Durant/harden
Green
Ibaka/collison
Chandler

[Marchesk]

I hate that Harden trade and always will. Whenever you have a young team that improves every year to the point where they make the finals, you do whatever it takes to keep them together. With how bad Wade and Bosh were playing, they damn well could've beaten Miami last year. SMH.

Yeah, but I don't know if they beat the Spurs without Westbrook.

[KG215]

What was it they traded for Tyson chandler before that trade got stopped for medical reasons? Couldn't it be-

Westbrook
Durant/harden
Green
Ibaka/collison
Chandler
No, because almost no team in the league could afford all of that, especially the team in the smallest market in the NBA.

I get the frustration over and making fun of the Harden trade, but when people start including Chandler and Green, I laugh, because financially that would be murder.

[TexasBloodMoney]

It's almost as if they have this long-term plan, where they could develop a couple young players and then insert them into their already very strong core, while also not paying out the ass for going above the tax line.

Nahh you're right, they're purposely self-destructing just cause they can.

[kenny817]

No, because almost no team in the league could afford all of that, especially the team in the smallest market in the NBA.

I get the frustration over and making fun of the Harden trade, but when people start including Chandler and Green, I laugh, because financially that would be murder.

Westbrook Harden and Ibaka were still on their rookie deals

It was possible...but they would have broken up like a year or so later

[Young X]

Yeah, but I don't know if they beat the Spurs without Westbrook.We could play this game all day, but if Harden was still on the Thunder, Houston wouldn't be in the playoffs and Westbrook wouldn't have gotten injured.

Wade and Bosh were playing way below their standards in the playoffs and Miami wasn't the force they were in the regular season. If they played in the west they wouldn't have even made the finals. If OKC keeps Harden, they definitely have a chance against Miami.

[SamuraiSWISH]

I hate that Harden trade and always will. Whenever you have a young team that improves every year to the point where they make the finals, you do whatever it takes to keep them together. With how bad Wade and Bosh were playing, they damn well could've beaten Miami last year. SMH.
Preach buddy. I agree. And not just making the playoffs and improving with such a young core, they went to the Finals and were Harden not being distracted by strippers from being potential champs. Even with such a shitty coach.

[MastaKilla]

He has 2 top 5 players at their position doe

WB may be top 5 in the league. Definitely a top 5 talent.

They should have never of given up Harden, hindsight is 20/20 but it was obvious he had major potential. You've got to literally pay the price to be a contender and that's just something OKC didn't want to do.

Imagine if the Spurs would have gotten rid of TP or Manu after one bad finals

[SamuraiSWISH]

Hindsight 20/20? It took no foresight of Nostradamus to see Harden was rapidly improving, on pace to be one of the leagues best shooting guards, as if he wasn't already top five. It was a dumb decision before retrospect kicked in.

[andremiller07]

Why didn't OKC sign Johan Petro before he went to China? I know he's fairly terrible but still probably better than Thabett and Perkins at this point.

[DMAVS41]

I still don't understand this logic.

First of all...the Thunder weren't winning the title this year with Westbrook hurt even if they had Harden. Not happening. So anyone claiming that the Thunder could be the 13 champs needs to stop.

Second, you don't build a team around 3 perimeter players that need the ball so much. It won't work in the long run...and that is only on the court. Let alone the issues about playing time and shots and being a star...etc...would all start creeping in.

Hell, it's like people have forgotten about the Westbrook vs Harden issues that had already started bubbling over in 11 and 12 at times.

The issue that I think is valid...is that Presti might have been better off trading Westbrook instead of Harden because he could have gotten back way more. That is really the only issue.

Still really like the trade. I'd bet anything that with a healthy Westbrook...they Thunder make the finals last year and are 50/50 to win. Martin filled in just fine...and people...please understand the following;

Martin was designed to fill in enough to give them a chance to win while they allow Lamb to grow.

The Thunder got better on offense and defense this year...and won a higher percentage of games.

Going forward they have Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Jackson, Lamb, Adams...and cap flexibility after the 15 season to add more.

All of those guys are 25 and under. They are set up to make a 6 plus year run...on top of the last 2 years in which they were contenders as well. So that is 8 years as a title contending team at least.

Not only has it worked...it's going to work.

Thunder will have the best record in the West this year and will be favored in every series of the playoffs unless they play the Heat.

[chocolatethunder]

PG - Westbrook
SG - Sefolosha
SF - Durant
PF - Ibaka
C - Collison

6th man - Harden, Perkins amnestied.

Decent bench.

Fire Scott Brooks, pick up a good coach.

And all of a sudden, you've got a near-dynasty. Harden as a starter as proven to be sometimes inconsistent and very turnover prone and have some questionable shot selections, but he would have run the gauntlet as a 6th man for years to come. Their clutch time line up would consist of two superstars (yes I think Westbrook is that good), an all-star in Harden, a good sometimes very good PF, and a center who frankly is passable (and certainly better than Perkins) on both ends of the floor. That's amazing. 2013 maybe they are in the Finals again, 2014-2017 I say no doubt.


Sam Presti may have literally jeopardized Durant's entire career. Their current lineup can't win a Championship. They could get to the Finals. That is possible. But they aren't beating the Heat and I doubt they would beat Indiana. If I'm Durant, I'm ****ing pissed. Especially after that Memphis series - he was pretty bad clutch time in that series but its hard to blame him when he was being depended on to do literally everything. This is where Brook's revealed himself to be one of the worst coaches in the NBA. Instead of doing something to make the bench/role players step up and creating a game plan that was still a team game, he literally ran pick/ISOs for Durant and Martin nearly the whole game. Most one-dimensional offense maybe ever featured in a playoff series. He won't win any rings as long as he is in OKC. I would demand a trade.

With the new CBA and salary cap/luxury tax, in a smaller market that lineup is just not possible. Before Presti made that trade everyone thought he was a genius. I have no problem w that trade. You're not being realistic because you're too young to understand the hard financial realities in today's NBA.

[SCdac]

Harden shouldn't have turned down the 54 million dollar offer :confusedshrug:

as they say, it takes two to tango.

[oh the horror]

I keep hearing that the Thunder could have potentially beaten the Heat last year with just a healthy WB and Durant.


Is everyone insane? They were "in" games last year but handled within 5

So they'd go from that to suddenly winning the finals against the Heat?


Miami is literally custom fitted to handle perimeter teams like OKC.


Their bigs are not difference makers in the same mold as Hibbert, Duncan, etc like that.


Come on now.

[Himan12]

My only real problem with the harden trade is they could have made room for him by getting rid of perkins. For some strange reason lots of people thought he was a good fit for them to handle the bigs in the west. (I always believed the general makeup of the Celtics made him look better than he ever was).

Now if the trend of perkins being useless on offense and below average rebounding/defense continues which I have no doubt it will, and they use their amnesty on him; I will consider the harden trade a complete and utter disaster.

[Marchesk]

Harden shouldn't have turned down the 54 million dollar offer :confusedshrug:

as they say, it takes two to tango.

Because why? So that he can be a sixth man and third wheel for less money?

[SCdac]

Because why? So that he can be a sixth man and third wheel for less money?

To be a part of a "near dynasty" as OP put it.

[Sarcastic]

To be a part of a "near dynasty" as OP put it.


Or he could be part of "near dynasty" if OKC just ponied up the money and stopped being cheap. He was willing to give them a discount, just not as much as they wanted.

[The JKidd Kid]

You're right he should just request a trade to the Nets now instead of waiting for his free agency in 2016.

[SCdac]

Or he could be part of "near dynasty" if OKC just ponied up the money and stopped being cheap. He was willing to give them a discount, just not as much as they wanted.

There was disagreement on both sides, I'm sure. Small markets have to be cheap, players in their prime have to seek money. Financially, it was probably the right decision for Harden to turn down OKC, but either way even if he stays for less he's still a multi-millionaire and they're in position to build around three max type players. As is, just not enough money to go around and there's only one basketball.

[snipes12]

They should traded harden and ibaka last year to dwight dwight durant and westbrook would have been scary

[Sarcastic]

There was disagreement on both sides, I'm sure. Small markets have to be cheap, players in their prime have to seek money. Financially, it was probably the right decision for Harden to turn down OKC, but either way even if he stays for less he's still a multi-millionaire and they're in position to build around three max type players. As is, just not enough money to go around and there's only one basketball.


I am so sick of hearing these small market team owners cry poverty all the time. Most of them are multi multi multi millionaires, and in some cases billionaires. The owner of the Portland Trailblazers is Paul Allen. He's one of the richest men in world. He is worth more than the Knicks and Lakers combined. You think he couldn't afford a $10 or $20 million tax bill? I am sure the OKC ownership is extremely rich as well, and are swimming in cash. If they weren't, they never would have been approved to buy the team. They can afford a tax bill. They just don't want to.


And if I were a superstar athlete, there is no way in hell I am playing for less than I am worth. These guys have a small window to make as much as they can for themselves and family, and then that's it. There is nothing after that. They have their physical prime to make what they can, then hopefully they save enough and don't blow it all. If OKC really would be willing to give up Harden over 5 or 10 million dollars, then that's not the best place to be. He's in Houston now playing with Dwight Howard. I think he made the right choice.

[AussieG]

Yeah, but I don't know if they beat the Spurs without Westbrook.
Before he got injured I would have said for sure, but after seeing them against the Grizz and the Heat, I think you're probably right. Spurs were seriously good last season. It didn't look that way vs the Warriors but after that point, they went into beast mode.

Oh.. just realised you meant without Westbrook, I'm talking WITH Westbrook.

[SCdac]

I am so sick of hearing these small market team owners cry poverty all the time. Most of them are multi multi multi millionaires, and in some cases billionaires. The owner of the Portland Trailblazers is Paul Allen. He's one of the richest men in world. He is worth more than the Knicks and Lakers combined. You think he couldn't afford a $10 or $20 million tax bill? I am sure the OKC ownership is extremely rich as well, and are swimming in cash. If they weren't, they never would have been approved to buy the team. They can afford a tax bill. They just don't want to.


And if I were a superstar athlete, there is no way in hell I am playing for less than I am worth. These guys have a small window to make as much as they can for themselves and family, and then that's it. There is nothing after that. They have their physical prime to make what they can, then hopefully they save enough and don't blow it all. If OKC really would be willing to give up Harden over 5 or 10 million dollars, then that's not the best place to be. He's in Houston now playing with Dwight Howard. I think he made the right choice.

OKC probably thought, based on harden's attitude, role, skillset, and negotiations that he either wasn't genuinely interested in sticking around or wasn't genuinely interested in the probable role he'd have playing next to young All-Stars in Durant and Westbrook. Hence being frugal. With the new CBA, it's totally fair for owners of small market teams to be frugal. I don't blame them, Harden likely outgrew the team he was on, can't entirely stop that.

[KG215]

Or he could be part of "near dynasty" if OKC just ponied up the money and stopped being cheap. He was willing to give them a discount, just not as much as they wanted.
The offer, had he accepted, would've been paying Harden nearly $14M ($13.75M to be exact) per year. That's pretty damn god money for a third option. So you would've had Durant making $20M/year for the next three years, Westbrook making close to $16M/year over the next three years; and Ibaka making $12.25M/year. So, I don't see how offering your third best player a 4yr/$55M deal is exactly "cheap". He accepts, and OKC is paying four players a combined $61M-$62M/year on average.


I think people's biggest gripe should be about them not amnestying Perkins to clear cap space for Harden; not for being cheap for offering Harden $13.75M/year. But there is still some level of reasoning for them not amnestying Perkins. Although it would've cleared up cap-space, the owners still would've had to pay Perkins around $24M over the next three years had they amnestied him before last season.

[Sarcastic]

The offer, had he accepted, would've been paying Harden nearly $14M ($13.75M to be exact) per year. That's pretty damn god money for a third option. So you would've had Durant making $20M/year for the next three years, Westbrook making close to $16M/year over the next three years; and Ibaka making $12.25M/year. So, I don't see how offering your third best player a 4yr/$55M deal is exactly "cheap". He accepts, and OKC is paying four players a combined $61M-$62M/year on average.


I think people's biggest gripe should be about them not amnestying Perkins to clear cap space for Harden; not for being cheap for offering Harden $13.75M/year. But there is still some level of reasoning for them not amnestying Perkins. Although it would've cleared up cap-space, the owners still would've had to pay Perkins around $24M over the next three years had they amnestied him before last season.


He's worth more than $14m a year, and is obviously a better player than a 3rd option. I don't understand why people think anyone should work for less than they're worth.

If a company came up to you and said "we'll give you a better job and pay you more", would you stay at your current job?

[KG215]

He's worth more than $14m a year, and is obviously a better player than a 3rd option. I don't understand why people think anyone should work for less than they're worth.

If a company came up to you and said "we'll give you a better job and pay you more", would you stay at your current job?
I'm not saying he's not worth more than $14M/year, but he wasn't worth more than $14M to OKC.

[SCdac]

He's worth more than $14m a year, and is obviously a better player than a 3rd option. I don't understand why people think anyone should work for less than they're worth.

If a company came up to you and said "we'll give you a better job and pay you more", would you stay at your current job?

It really depends on the circumstances. It's opportunity cost. Some times it may be worth it to take less some times not so much. Do you think it was the right decision for Lebron and Bosh to take less to play in Miami?

[Sarcastic]

It really depends on the circumstances. It's opportunity cost. Some times it may be worth it to take less some times not so much. Do you think it was the right decision for Lebron and Bosh to take less to play in Miami?


Different situations are different. In Miami's case, the Big 3 all colluded among themselves to take a fraction less than they were actually worth so that they could be butt buddies together. In Harden's case the team was telling him they didn't think he was worth what he was actually worth, and the percentage difference was much much greater than with Miami.

[SCdac]

Different situations are different. In Miami's case, the Big 3 all colluded among themselves to take a fraction less than they were actually worth so that they could be butt buddies together. In Harden's case the team was telling him they didn't think he was worth what he was actually worth, and the percentage difference was much much greater than with Miami.

The situations are more similar than they are different, imo. And I'm just challenging the assertion that "nobody should ever take less, ever". It's not all about money and it's not all about rings, so it's up to the individual to decide where the middle ground is.

OKC couldn't afford what Harden was actually worth (16-17 million per year, like he'll be getting in HOU), so clearly if Harden wanted to stay he had to take some kind of "pay cut". OKC could offer up to 60 million but they wanted to Harden to accept 54 for the sake of cap flexibility. Both parties disagreed with each other. Turned sour. It happens. Business decisions that are unavoidable.


"There wasn't common ground and I think I'll leave it at that... Given the fact that it was becoming a reality that he would more than likely be signing elsewhere at the end of the season. Once that reality was met, as we have in the past, this organization turned the page."

- Presti

[chips93]

It's almost as if they have this long-term plan, where they could develop a couple young players and then insert them into their already very strong core, while also not paying out the ass for going above the tax line.

Nahh you're right, they're purposely self-destructing just cause they can.

:applause:

people need to acknowledge that every team had their own unique financial situation, and have to act accordingly.

[KG215]

The situations are more similar than they are different, imo. And I'm just challenging the assertion that "nobody should ever take less, ever". It's not all about money and it's not all about rings, so it's up to the individual to decide where the middle ground is.

OKC couldn't afford what Harden was actually worth (16-17 million per year, like he'll be getting in HOU), so clearly if Harden wanted to stay he had to take some kind of "pay cut". OKC could offer up to 60 million but they wanted to Harden to accept 54 for the sake of cap flexibility. Both parties disagreed with each other. Turned sour. It happens. Business decisions that are unavoidable.

Nor would Harden be giving them production worth that much per year in his 6th man/3rd option role.

And don't get me wrong, I'd still rather have Harden and hope he, KD, and Russ could've remained issue-free playing with each other for the next 5+ years. I don't know if that was possible, since there were already reports of Harden being upset with the number of shots he got after a playoff game last year, but it probably would've worked for a few more years.

[Twiens]

Trading Harden isn't the problem, it's the fact that they traded him and didn't even get a BIG.....ridiculous.

[pnyozzzoo]

The worst part everyone is ignoring is that, Orlando asked for 1 of their stud + Ibaka when DH readied to bolt. Presti turned it down without thinking.

If presti has championship b4 draft + grow young talent on cheap contract route in mind.

This could easily be done, RW/Harden + ibaka and shed perkin in there to, for Howard and one of Orlando's young talent or draft(they like them drafts) may also involve a thrid team.

As we already know Howard enjoys being around young team and want to win and can leave LA and 30 mil on the table he has no reason to not resign in OKC.

Ladies and Gents behold:

Howard
Young talent(draft)/ collison
Durant
Harden/WB + whoever gone left with Jackson + tabo

Thats a core of three REAL ALL TRUE SUPERSTARS unlike miami (wade is dying and bosh shrink when 3 play together) Durant + DH + Harden/WB truely complement each other. and ALL in primes for YEARS to come.
3 top 10 player no bs rounding.

Easily balance inside out, offense and defense thru the roof. can maybe 4 peat ffs. think about it, if they 4peat how much money can that generate to compensate for the tax, also with perkin ibaka gone 3 max (1 slightly bigger) is feasible.

[KG215]

The worst part everyone is ignoring is that, Orlando asked for 1 of their stud + Ibaka when DH readied to bolt. Presti turned it down without thinking.

If presti has championship b4 draft + grow young talent on cheap contract route in mind.

This could easily be done, RW/Harden + ibaka and shed perkin in there to, for Howard and one of Orlando's young talent or draft(they like them drafts) may also involve a thrid team.

As we already know Howard enjoys being around young team and want to win and can leave LA and 30 mil on the table he has no reason to not resign in OKC.

Ladies and Gents behold:

Howard
Young talent(draft)/ collison
Durant
Harden/WB + whoever gone left with Jackson + tabo

Thats a core of three REAL ALL TRUE SUPERSTARS unlike miami (wade is dying and bosh shrink when 3 play together) Durant + DH + Harden/WB truely complement each other. and ALL in primes for YEARS to come.
3 top 10 player no bs rounding.

Easily balance inside out, offense and defense thru the roof. can maybe 4 peat ffs. think about it, if they 4peat how much money can that generate to compensate for the tax, also with perkin ibaka gone 3 max (1 slightly bigger) is feasible.
That's assuming Howard would've stayed in OKC, and he probably would've bolted unless they won it all.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

What from OKC does people want to see to vindicate the trade?

Lamb into a role player/true sixth man/legit starter/allstar?
Adams into a role player/legit starter/allstar?
A championship, regardless of what the trade accusations become?
A championship, influenced by Lamb and Adams?
Championships?

[Sarcastic]

The situations are more similar than they are different, imo. And I'm just challenging the assertion that "nobody should ever take less, ever". It's not all about money and it's not all about rings, so it's up to the individual to decide where the middle ground is.

OKC couldn't afford what Harden was actually worth (16-17 million per year, like he'll be getting in HOU), so clearly if Harden wanted to stay he had to take some kind of "pay cut". OKC could offer up to 60 million but they wanted to Harden to accept 54 for the sake of cap flexibility. Both parties disagreed with each other. Turned sour. It happens. Business decisions that are unavoidable.



- Presti

They are different because in Miami, Lebron Wade Bosh all agreed to take less money at the same time so they can be together. In OKC I don't remember Durant and Westbrook signing for a discount so that they can give more money to Harden. Instead Durant and Westbrook both got their money, but Harden's was being told to take less for the good of the team. He even agreed to take less than his market value, but OKC wanted it to be even lower than that.


And yes, if I were Durant I would be mad. This wasn't a situation where OKC got cheap and didn't sign a free agent to come in and help. This was a superstar that they drafted, but were too cheap to hold onto. It's very rare for a team to draft correctly 3 straight times the way OKC did. It's foolish to give that up over a few million dollars.

[DMAVS41]

The last thing a team needs is 3 perimeter players that need the ball all making near max money...all thinking they are the best player on the team.

From a strict basketball sense it makes sense.

Again...the Thunder improved in nearly every aspect of the game last year without Harden. Everyone knew their role better and their was no confusion about it being Durant and Westbrook's team...there was no Westbrook looking over his shoulder.

The Thunder were better by every measure...including the eye test in my opinion. Durant and Howard were allowed to carry more...Ibaka improved and played a bigger role..etc.

And to the guy saying the Thunder didn't have a chance against the Heat if healthy. Uhhhh...no. This Heat team in the 13 finals was nowhere near as good as the 11 or 12 Heat...they were considerably worse. And with the Thunder being better...especially on defense...the Thunder could have easily won.

The Thunder now have a great young core of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Lamb, Adams, and Jackson...with solid depth and veterans all around them. After the 15 season they have enough cap space to add more impact guys.

It's perfectly setup for the Thunder to go on a 6 to 8 year run if the players stay healthy and reach their peak around 27 to 31 like every player normally does.

Again, like someone above said, the only real issue is who Presti should have traded. I think Westbrook is the better overall player quite easily, but Westbrook would have yielded a much better return overall in any trade.

[Crown&Coke]

I was critical of them trading Harden, call him a sixth man or whatever, but winning time he was in there with the ball in his hands. I understand their financial situation, but I feel it would have been more prudent to sign him, and then move him down the road. With the new CBA you shouldn't give away talent. And given they supermaxed their other two guys without any hesitation, Harden should have taken his stance of "max me too"

Opposing GM's have stated they didn't even know he was on the block until after the Houston deal went down. So rather than wait out and get the best offer they called up Morey and asked if the deal he proposed was still on the table. Some from the OKC camp have said that was to keep from getting watered down offers knowing he was going to be moved.

All in all, I still think Presti is a genius, he has earned the right to make deals based on his gut. I think they will be alright going forward. But he also earned the right to get some scrutiny for that deal, because no longer will they be picking top 5 getting cheap talent. They will be picking 25 hoping for a steal

[imdaman99]

its a shame, but not like OKC isnt capable of smacking around the west without harden, because they are. it took a scrub putting a hit on westbrook to cause a freak injury to derail that.

the biggest problem is the coach. he is a buffoon with no system. even without a system, OKC is elite on offense. durant + westbrook. westbrook pushes the ball and attacks the defense and forces the issue sometimes, which they were clearly missing in the grizzlies series when it was the durant and scrubs show. the problem with durant is that he does not make anyone around him better. its no knock, because lebron turns stars into role players himself. westbrook is the most important player for that team and it showed. brooks is too stupid to figure shit out on the go.

harden would have never BLOWN UP like he did for the rockets, on the thunder. ppl need to accept that. he is a helluva player, he is very polished for such a youngin. he needs to improve the other parts of his game like defense and midrange game. i dont think he will improve his defense much, now that he has even a better center behind him than ever. howard + asik will clean up his matador defense on many occasions, book it.

imagine if the thunder DID trade westbrook. how shocking would that have been?? but 1 things for sure, i would have had a new team to watch :lol okc and the knicks in the finals next year. make it happen basketball gods :rockon:

[DMAVS41]

its a shame, but not like OKC isnt capable of smacking around the west without harden, because they are. it took a scrub putting a hit on westbrook to cause a freak injury to derail that.

the biggest problem is the coach. he is a buffoon with no system. even without a system, OKC is elite on offense. durant + westbrook. westbrook pushes the ball and attacks the defense and forces the issue sometimes, which they were clearly missing in the grizzlies series when it was the durant and scrubs show. the problem with durant is that he does not make anyone around him better. its no knock, because lebron turns stars into role players himself. westbrook is the most important player for that team and it showed. brooks is too stupid to figure shit out on the go.

harden would have never BLOWN UP like he did for the rockets, on the thunder. ppl need to accept that. he is a helluva player, he is very polished for such a youngin. he needs to improve the other parts of his game like defense and midrange game. i dont think he will improve his defense much, now that he has even a better center behind him than ever. howard + asik will clean up his matador defense on many occasions, book it.

imagine if the thunder DID trade westbrook. how shocking would that have been?? but 1 things for sure, i would have had a new team to watch :lol okc and the knicks in the finals next year. make it happen basketball gods :rockon:

This.

Totally agree that Brooks is a huge problem. Even with him...they are still the best team in the West when healthy...so I fail to understand what people are talking about.

I think the Thunder win it all either this coming year or the year after...and then they tweak the roster a bit with space and set up the right ingredients for another 4 to 5 year run at titles...maybe longer depending on what happens.

And I still can't help shaking the feeling that the Thunder would be champs right now if not for the Westbrook injury.

[KG215]

I don't know how confident I would've felt in OKC against the Heat, but after seeing how Bosh and Wade were playing in the playoffs, especially in the ECF and Finals, it does make me wonder. After a bit of a slump/lull in March, I really felt like we were playing some of our best basketball of the season heading into the playoffs. We went 10-2 in our last 12 games, and had an impressive 22 point win at Indiana in April, holding the Pacers to 75 points in the process. The team looked locked in and focused for the first time since December/January. The defense was tightening up and looking "playoff sharp", and Durant was back to playing like he did through the All-Star break before his slump in March.

[DMAVS41]

I don't know how confident I would've felt in OKC against the Heat, but after seeing how Bosh and Wade were playing in the playoffs, especially in the ECF and Finals, it does make me wonder. After a bit of a slump/lull in March, I really felt like we were playing some of our best basketball of the season heading into the playoffs. We went 10-2 in our last 12 games, and had an impressive 22 point win at Indiana in April, holding the Pacers to 75 points in the process. The team looked locked in and focused for the first time since December/January. The defense was tightening up and looking "playoff sharp", and Durant was back to playing like he did through the All-Star break before his slump in March.

Who knows what would have happened, but the 13 Thunder in the finals would have been better than the 12 Thunder...and the 13 Heat were clearly worse than the 12 Heat.

Considering the Spurs came as close as possible to winning in 6...I see no reason why it isn't a toss up series.

I just think people are forgetting that. Harden was terrible in the finals last year...so it's not like the Thunder would miss him for that series. They would have missed him, no doubt, leading up to that...but I still see no solid reasoning as to why a healthy Thunder team isn't better than the Spurs.

But nothing changed even if both series are 50/50...that is what they were the year before with Harden.

[longtime lurker]

I'll admit it and eat crow on the Harden trade. I didn't think James Harden was worth a max contract as I didn't see him being able to lead a team to the playoffs. I thought OKC trading him wasn't that bad, but I still believe they should have used him to move Perkins contract and get an all star player in return. If you're contending for a championship you don't trade a piece of your core for potential, you trade to win now.

[TheMarkMadsen]

I'll admit it and eat crow on the Harden trade. I didn't think James Harden was worth a max contract as I didn't see him being able to lead a team to the playoffs. I thought OKC trading him wasn't that bad, but I still believe they should have used him to move Perkins contract and get an all star player in return. If you're contending for a championship you don't trade a piece of your core for potential, you trade to win now.

Harden + Perkins for LMA

Who would have said no?