State of the Thunder

[Shaqdaddy11]

If they play anything close to how they played last night, he isn't walking. Or at least the Thunder will risk that he will. So yes.

And if they play like they did against Dallas, he's gone. So no!

 

[tlance]

And if they play like they did against Dallas, he's gone. So no!

They still aren't giving George up for Julius Randle. Even if they lose the next 20 in a row. Not even close to realistic. Someone will offer more.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

They still aren't giving George up for Julius Randle. Even if they lose the next 20 in a row. Not even close to realistic. Someone will offer more.

So come late March, the Thunder are only an average team, PG13 says he'll probably sign with the Lakers, and the Lakers offer Randle, you actually think OKC won't accept that?

In fact, the Lakers probably won't even bother with Randle. They might offer a 2nd rounder and OKC will probably still take that.

 

[tlance]

So come late March, the Thunder are only an average team, PG13 says he'll probably sign with the Lakers, and the Lakers offer Randle, you actually think OKC won't accept that?

In fact, the Lakers probably won't even bother with Randle. They might offer a 2nd rounder and OKC will probably still take that.

Again, no.

First because the salaries won't match. Second because someone else like Cleveland will offer more. Randle does absolutely nothing for OKC.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

 

[DJ]

I hope it doesn't work out because I want PG but think about this:

The Lakers started 10-10 last season......they sucked by the end of the season.

It is a little odd they aren't playing better imo. They have 3 studs.

 

[DJ]

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.

Kanter has been solid for the Knicks and they are playing better than the Thunder.

 

[DJ]

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

PG is a FA next summer......Melo isn't.

 

[DJ]

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.

Makes sense. Limit the time Melo spends on the floor with RW and PG.

 

[DJ]

The Mavs beat the Thunder last night by 16?

LMAO

 

[DJ]

First of all, they can't offer that deal without adding a contract in. Second, go back and look at the history of trade deadline deals. When players as good as George move, they cost a lot more than just Randle. He doesn't have as much value as you want him to.

This.

The trade deadline isn't a month before the end of the season either.

Clueless.

 

[DJ]

They still aren't giving George up for Julius Randle. Even if they lose the next 20 in a row. Not even close to realistic. Someone will offer more.

Yep.

 

[bksballer89]

So come late March, the Thunder are only an average team, PG13 says he'll probably sign with the Lakers, and the Lakers offer Randle, you actually think OKC won't accept that?

In fact, the Lakers probably won't even bother with Randle. They might offer a 2nd rounder and OKC will probably still take that.

They'll never take a 2nd round pick for pg13. You're on drugs.

Someone who think they can win it all this season with George will risk it all would give OKC a much better deal than anything the lakers can offer them

 

[Gman]

I, for one, openly question whether Billy Donovan has the testes for the job of managing Westbrook and Melo.

 

[DJ]

I know he doesn't want to do this but RW should be 3rd on team in FGA's.

PG is making 40% of his 3's, Melo is making 37%. They are both making 42% overall.

RW is forcing it, he's converting 40% of his FGA's and 31% of his 3's. Run the offense, rebound, and score on occasion but get everybody else set up to score.

 

[Gman]

I know he doesn't want to do this but RW should be 3rd on team in FGA's.

PG is making 40% of his 3's, Melo is making 37%. They are both making 42% overall.

RW is forcing it, he's converting 40% of his FGA's and 31% of his 3's. Run the offense, rebound, and score on occasion but get everybody else set up to score.

Maybe, in theory... but that's never been Russell Westbrook.

Therein lies the dilemma.

 

[bksballer89]

I know he doesn't want to do this but RW should be 3rd on team in FGA's.

PG is making 40% of his 3's, Melo is making 37%. They are both making 42% overall.

RW is forcing it, he's converting 40% of his FGA's and 31% of his 3's. Run the offense, rebound, and score on occasion but get everybody else set up to score.

OKC can't be successful that way. Also Melo is no longer a first or 2nd option at this point in his career.

 

[DJ]

Maybe, in theory... but that's never been Russell Westbrook.

Therein lies the dilemma.

I know.

 

[tlance]

OKC can't be successful that way. Also Melo is no longer a first or 2nd option at this point in his career.

No he isn't. But he can still score if Russ creates for him. Russ isn't an efficient half court scorer, but he could use his talents to create better situations for Melo and George instead of creating marginal chances for himself.

I thought he did that against GS on a Wednesday.

 

[tlance]

I, for one, openly question whether Billy Donovan has the testes for the job of managing Westbrook and Melo.

Honestly, who really does?