The fifth best man is Dort who can get hot and be a 16 ppg scorer himself.... I would gladly make him the 4th option.
I think you are right about the picks. But they had three future HOFers at the start of their careers and all of them have been very durable in their primes. If they kept the big three together instead of trying to be cute about cap room for a center, they'd be a dynasty. Even after they decided to trade one of them, they should have traded Westbrook who would have got them more than Harden could. And Harden and Durant together would be a contender for a long time. Their current team could turn out to be better. It all depends on how long Chet can stay healthy. And Giddy isn't on the level of Durant, Westbrook, Harden, at least not yet. So if Chet holds up, they have a Big Two, not Big Three, and a bunch of very good role players, which can be a powerhouse no doubt.
Fair enough, they now have the Center they always wanted even if he plays more like a PF...... Jalen Williams looks like a Mini Harden with how he is built and how crafty he has become..... Instead of KD they have Shai who looks like a younger Kobe but smarter....
I love Chet but we don't know if he will end up better than Jalen Williams yet. Both guys have crazy upside. I've been watching some of their games. Chet's highlights get shown a lot on ESPN but Jalen makes big time clutch plays too that are rarely shown. His efficiency (52/43/85%) is just crazy for a 2nd year player. Some here might remember I followed the KD/WB/Harden teams very closely. That trio failed because they had a coach that was not up to the task. Those guys competed against each other sometimes more than against the opponent (particularly WB who was insistent on remaining higher on the food chain than Harden). These guys don't have that problem. There isn't a selfish bone in SGA, Jalen Williams or Chet. SGA is KD on this team because he's the best player and pulls the wagon. Jalen Williams is WB, a multitalented player who is near-impossible to deal with when his game is on. He is light years ahead of a 2nd year WB. Chet is sort of Harden, except he's not being held back by a sorry coach who is concerned about protecting WB's ego. If he stays healthy and erupts into a superstar, Jalen Williams won't start feeling insecure.
I think Chet looks like a taller version of KD, and Shai is like Harden. I am still not sure if Jalen Williams will develop into a star type player. But you are right, the KD/WB/JH trio had ego problems. All three are extremely talented but all have some kind of mental blockage that prevented them from winning it all, either together or separately. (Durant will forever be remembered as riding the coattail of the Curry-led core.) Maybe the Big 3 era is out of fashion now. It goes back to the one-two punch trend. The Suns don't look very hot. Let's see how the Clippers will do in the playoffs.
The problem with OKc previously they played ISo ball mostly. All 3 guys super talented but all want to do hero ball all the time. This new iteration may have less talent but they have better teamwork and players play around SGA instead of trying to one up or compete against him. Not sure if they can beat Nuggets or Celts in a 7 game series but with their bajillion picks they can totally get more help in the off-season and be one of the favorites next year.
I think OKC's gonna trade for Markkanen. Among all the things that he's good at, he hits the boards, and stretches the floor. They need BOTH in their starting 4.
I doubt they trade for Markkanen. He would cost them a fortune in picks and salary to re-sign and doesn't even rebound that well. They do need another big to pair with Chet, but they don't need another scorer. They specifically need a rebounder. I didn't watch the game, but the box score shows that gave up 20 o-rebs and only had 29 d-rebs. That is pathetic! On the other end, the Nets cleared the glass 31 times while giving up only 7 o-rebs.
They're ahead of schedule. I think they'll trade Jalen Williams for him. Again, in addition to his scoring, Lauri is 27 and thicc at 7' 240lb...He hits the boards... provides a mature player with size AND shooting....He gives OKC flexibility with Chet. inside/outside They compliment each other.(enforcer too, which they need)
Nope, the pieces that are expendable are Giddey, to an extent Lu Dort, and some bench pieces like Jaylin Williams....not Jalen Williams (2 of them) Not really expendable but can be replaced under duress. Jay Dub is a mini Harden without the assists, he will be retained this time. He is also more emphatic and passionate even than Chet Holmgren. I think Presti will keep him as one of his favorites this time.
That would be a huge mistake. I've liked Markkanan for years but he's not what OKC needs. For the most part, all he would do is take FGAs away from other players. He also would not help their rebounding problems. I don't think playing him and Chet at the same time makes much sense, especially on defense. They don't have to trade away a core player. They just need a 15-20 mpg role player against bigger, more physical teams. They have plenty of scoring already. A small portion of Presti's draft pick haul can get this done. If they do trade a "core" player, it should be Josh Giddy. Even with him, I believe they should wait until next season to see if he goes to another level.
OKC and Minny have been beating great teams........but have lost to the likes of Knicks, Atlanta, Sacramento and Nets......
Yep, but those teams are above average....not elite enough but also not bad to be embarrassed losing to.....with Sacramento having the ambition to be a Top 3..... If you keep losing against those teams, odds are you are becoming one of those teams yourself.
