Kevin Durant- When he doesn't hit his shots, he's a huge blackhole on offense. He doesn't do much else. He really needs to work on his shot selection this offseason, when I watched him over the playoffs I was never confident that it would go in... and that's a problem. When I watch players like Pierce, Kobe, LeBron, they take efficient shots. But with practice I'm sure Kevin will learn this. He should stop trying to drive in like a point guard and instead post-up more like Dirk and Melo. Also needs to work on his ball-handling. The team's offense- it's terrible. the passing is terrible. the sets are terrible. they need better passers on this team. they should have better plays to get better looks on the basket. I watch teams like the Cavs and Spurs and how they get their points and they get it quite simply and efficiently. I hope like last year the Thunder coaching staff doesn't go fishing right away and instead buys courtside tickets to the remaining playoff games. The team's centers- gawd these guys suck. I watched Collison and Krstic miss like 30 shots over the series. If they had better centers they would be miles better than they are right now. A sad sight to see was Gasol and Bynum playing volleyball over the rim. I wonder how BJ Mullens will shape up or will he just be a waived player? More players like Ibaka please please please. Jeff Green- Can he continue to be the starting PF for this team? He exploded in game 6 looking like an allstar but his defense against the opposing PFs is still lacking. Maybe if the team can find another Chuck Hayes in the league and teach him how to guard other PFs. Russell Westbrook- Too many times he tries to play hero and many times he does become the hero, but he should continue to work on his mid-range shots and learn more PG skills from Mo Cheeks. Not too many complaints here. Bottom line... what the team needs: -Kevin Durant to improve even more offensively, which I have no doubt he will... -The team's offense and how it's run -A rebounding and shot-blocking C, or one who can at least make open 15 foot shots -Jeff Green to become 6th man instead... or learn how to defend opposing PF's way better -way better passers I'd like to make an additional note about James Harden.. who I am surprised by his great D and hopefully he improves even more to be come a bigger factor for the team.
Are you kidding? 1. Durant doesn't need to improve offensively. He needs his TEAMMATES to improve offensively. 2. The team has great offense. Westbrook is a genius at running the 1, and KD CAN shoot lights out; he just needs to learn how to counter Artest's defense. 3. Agreed with the third point. They definitely need a better 5, or they aren't winning a title. 4. Agreed. Start Serge Ibaka! Let Green run around with the second unit. 5. Of course the passing could use improvement (and so could every other team in the league), but it isn't a big issue. They need a C, and they need a C BAD.
I'm not kidding. If Durant is the leader of this team, he should do way more on offense than causing turnovers or digging the team a hole by missing shots. He was throwing up prayers during the whole series. Westbrook was the one running the show. But you're right, his teammates also need to be much more improved on offense. Harden and Green being complete crap on offense in game 1 and 2 really hurt. But if Durant really truly wants to be great, he needs to make a bigger impact on offense and/or learn better shot selection and choices. As much as I love the Rockets... I wouldn't mind Chuck Hayes signing with the Thunder if try to get him. He would make a big impact on that team by teaching all those rookies. I'm also thinking that the Thunder should sign maybe Haywood... I mean they were willing to trade for Chandler before if it weren't for his foot problems, so maybe they will go after Haywood. What would REALLY surprise me though is if they go after Chris Bosh. It wouldn't be that stupid to do so, because this might be their only chance to add a legit star to their team for the next decade.
But the question is if Serge Ibaka can play center... And if they get David Lee, it could mean they have given up on Jeff Green whom they invested a lot in...
Problem: not enough good players Solution: get more good players/ wait for existing players to become better
How much cap space do they exactly have? If OKC could trade a couple of bench players, in a sign and trade or something, then the main person they need to target is Chris Bosh. Although Bosh might not improve their shotblocking (which OKC is already so good at), it WILL give then height, which is their biggest weakness. I just feel so bad for OKC; they got matched up with the worst possible team in the first round. I could see OKC beating seeds #2-#7. Sigh. Westbrook / Maynor Sefolosha / Harden Durant / Green Ibaka / Collison Bosh / Krstic Solid ten man rotation. I would most certainly rotate Green to the 3. He has enough speed to be potent offensively, driving to the basket and such, and has enough power to guard the 3's of the West (Marion, Artest, Ariza, Jefferson, etc.) and be able to keep up with LeBron James, somewhat.
Problem: Kevin Durant is not efficient enough on offense. Solution: Trade Kevin Durant to Houston. Problem solved. Enough talk of OKC improving. The west is tough enough as it is!
Memo to OKC/Portland: Now the hard part begins. It's actually very easy to go from a bottom place team to a playoff team. The hard part is going from a playoff team to a contender. You've had some luck getting players in the lotto, now try doing it out of the lotto. Presti and Pritchard, welcome to the world of Morey/Buford/Ainge. PS, too bad both teams missed out on their last top lotto pick.
They really need a decent big man. Thunders have a lot of assets: cap space, solid young prospects and multiple first-round draft picks, could be a big player in the free agent market. Last summer, they had the cap space to sign either David Lee or Paul Millsap an offer sheet, but chose not to do it. But things change now. This could be the last year they have substantial cap space to add talent since their young stars will start to get paid. They probably have to use it regardless. Also renewing Durant is no brainer. But how much money should they give to Jeff Green? Should they keep him or trade him? They have a lot of questions to answer this summer.
The team has almost no depth, the only guys off their bench that are even capable of getting time are 3 rookies and collison. They just are not that talented of a team outside of KD, Westbrook, and Green. I like Maynor a lot as the backup pg and Harden as well, but outside of that, there are a ton of holes in their roster.
