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State of the Thunder

thunderc

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1/5 of the way into the season and it's not looking good. The Paul George trade is looking good but I can't say the same about the Melo trade. The 3 games Melo was out Russ and George looked great and fed off each other. Now with Melo back though it's just taking turns with ISO bell again. Last game Russ passed to George instead of Melo and Melo was visibly upset, never mind the fact that George hit the 3. At this point we will just have to wonder what the team would have looked like with Kanter instead of Melo but it's pretty obvious it would not have been any worse. Still have hope but Russ has to start being Russ and that means upsetting Melo for the good of the team.
 

tlance

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The bad news for Thunder fans:

Melo has a player option for next season. He ain't waiving that. He will be in OKC through next season.

It was a good gamble by Presti. There is still time for them to figure things out, but it is also pretty clear these 3 pieces don't fit together very well.
 

Gman

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Swallow your pride, Melo. You gots ta swallow your pride.

Anthony can either try to be the top dog on an ok team, or he can become the #3 option on a very, very good team. The ball appears to be in his court.
 

trojanfan12

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I'm pretty sure the Lakers would be happy to help the Thunder out by trading Luol Deng for Paul George. Deng is far more well rested than George, so the Thunder would clearly win that trade.
 

thunderc

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The chances of George leaving yet are zero. It's Melo that needs to go.
 

trojanfan12

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The chances of George leaving yet are zero. It's Melo that needs to go.

Trust me. Paul George is the problem. If you don't believe me...ask Hurricane. Paul George is holding Melo back. Luol Deng won't do that.
 

thunderc

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That's funny.
 

tlance

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The chances of George leaving yet are zero. It's Melo that needs to go.

The chances of Melo leaving are zero also. Actually less than George, because at least a george has significant trade value.

If the Thunder don't right the ship by January, they may be best served exploring trade options with Cleveland. Melo is going to be there.

Lastly, all the blame is not on Melo. He is who he is. Russ has to change some too if this has any chance to work.
 

flyerhawk

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The chances of George leaving yet are zero. It's Melo that needs to go.

LOL. I'd say the chances of the Thunder trading for Deng are dramatically lower than the chances of the Thunder trading George.
 

thunderc

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The chances of Melo leaving are zero also. Actually less than George, because at least a george has significant trade value.

If the Thunder don't right the ship by January, they may be best served exploring trade options with Cleveland. Melo is going to be there.

Lastly, all the blame is not on Melo. He is who he is. Russ has to change some too if this has any chance to work.

Russ has changed, a lot. You need to watch them play. With the 3 of them on the floor it's obvious Russ is worrying too much about gettin him his shots. I can already tell you what will happen tonight. They will come out with guns blazing and lead after the 1st quarter. The 3rd will suck though and they will lose by 15. They are capable of winning this game, just don't see it happening.
 

tlance

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Russ has changed, a lot. You need to watch them play. With the 3 of them on the floor it's obvious Russ is worrying too much about gettin him his shots. I can already tell you what will happen tonight. They will come out with guns blazing and lead after the 1st quarter. The 3rd will suck though and they will lose by 15. They are capable of winning this game, just don't see it happening.

I will be watching tonight. Have only seen bits and pieces so far this year. Not yet a full game.

Russ is in a tough spot though. His game lends Really naturally to what he did last year. He is a take charge guy. I don't think he knows how to run a team friendly, ball movement offense, because I don't think he has ever been asked to.
 

thunderc

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I hope we get an extended stretch with Russ and PG on the floor without Melo tonight, you will see what I'm saying.
 

CitySushi

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I hope we get an extended stretch with Russ and PG on the floor without Melo tonight, you will see what I'm saying.

Without even having really watched the Thunder this year, I have no doubts what you're saying is accurate. It's why people were immediately skeptical of the trade for Melo. Some were ecstatic about the talent coming in, others were worried about fit.

Good news is that there still is time. Don't know if Billy's tried this yet, but he should have a quick pull of Melo in the 1st and ride him out with the second unit alone. Let Russ and PG play the entire 1st quarter then back in at the 6 or 5 minute mark of the 2nd.

What are your thoughts on the Thunder's rotations so far?
 

tducey

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Yeah, the Thunder have been disappointments this season. Got to think if they don't pick it up Melo will be 1 and done with them.
 

thunderc

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Without even having really watched the Thunder this year, I have no doubts what you're saying is accurate. It's why people were immediately skeptical of the trade for Melo. Some were ecstatic about the talent coming in, others were worried about fit.

Good news is that there still is time. Don't know if Billy's tried this yet, but he should have a quick pull of Melo in the 1st and ride him out with the second unit alone. Let Russ and PG play the entire 1st quarter then back in at the 6 or 5 minute mark of the 2nd.

What are your thoughts on the Thunder's rotations so far?

I can't really argue with what he is trying thus far. Just as big of a problem is the fact that after Grant and sometimes Felton the bench has been horrible.
 

tlance

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I hope we get an extended stretch with Russ and PG on the floor without Melo tonight, you will see what I'm saying.

What I am seeing now is a team that is fantastic in transition, but has no rhythm in half court offense. The ball doesn't move, and that isn't Melo's fault.
 

thunderc

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What I am seeing now is a team that is fantastic in transition, but has no rhythm in half court offense. The ball doesn't move, and that isn't Melo's fault.

Melo letting it come to him more tonight. So far this is pretty typical, always play great in 1st quarter and lead the league by far in 1st quarter defense. If they are true to form as the 2nd team starts coming in the defense will start breaking down. Then in the 3rd they just don't look anything like they did in the 1st. Hope they can break the trend tonight, they are good enough to beat anyone.
 
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The chances of George leaving yet are zero. It's Melo that needs to go.

George is a free agent next season. You really think he stays if OKC has a bad record/misses the playoffs and there's a bad vibe in the locker room?
 

tlance

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Melo letting it come to him more tonight. So far this is pretty typical, always play great in 1st quarter and lead the league by far in 1st quarter defense. If they are true to form as the 2nd team starts coming in the defense will start breaking down. Then in the 3rd they just don't look anything like they did in the 1st. Hope they can break the trend tonight, they are good enough to beat anyone.

Quick 4-0 run with Russ out. Let's see if OKC can avoid disaster here.
 
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