Well, what they're probably going to do is put out feelers and find out what teams are offering for Rubio, if it's underwhelming they probably go ahead and take Thabeet. They don't really have a whole lot of bargaining power with Rubio, but what they do have are two teams that are potentially very high on Rubio. More will be known as we get closer to the draft, we'll probalby have a better idea what OKC would do if Rubio drops to them.
More hope...... maybe I shouldn't (Rubio rumor)
- Thread starter Dustinlikestodance
- Start date
Yes see the smart thing to do is to not act as if you are really high on him which brings the value of him down in their eyes. Also like you said they don't have any power with other teams because it's already publicly known he doesn't want to play for them. I think their GM isn't going to want to look stupid like they did with Gasol so rather than facing that embarrassment he's going to be safe and pick Thabeet.
I think that Thabeet would be a good fit for Oklahoma, but not for Memphis. I really can't see Gasol and Thabeet on the floor together at the same time. I don't think either one can guard the more athletic PF's in the draft. Neither one can handle the ball that well. To be honest Hill would be a better fit for Memphis. Hill, however would be a bit of a reach for them at the 2 spot. I don't think that Rubio is a good fit either. They already have Conley and O.J. Mayo, who also fancies himself as a point guard.
I don't think Rubio is that good a fit for Oklahoma. They have Westbrook at the point. For some reason I can't see Rubio and Westbrook playing well with each other. They both need to have the ball in their hands, and neither one is a very good shooter. Once again, I think Thabeet would be the perfect choice for them, aside from Griffin. After Thabeet, my next choice for them would be Hardin, who I think would be a perfect compliment to Westbrook. If not Hardin then Hill, because they need a big man.
I don't think Rubio is that good a fit for Oklahoma. They have Westbrook at the point. For some reason I can't see Rubio and Westbrook playing well with each other. They both need to have the ball in their hands, and neither one is a very good shooter. Once again, I think Thabeet would be the perfect choice for them, aside from Griffin. After Thabeet, my next choice for them would be Hardin, who I think would be a perfect compliment to Westbrook. If not Hardin then Hill, because they need a big man.
One of the rumors coming out of draftexpress is that Oklahoma isn't that enamored of Rubio. Their very high on Thabeet and Hardin. Just a rumor but one never knows. Plus, I would think that Memphis would seem more inviting to Rubio than Oklahoma. From a personal point of view, I would rather take up residence in Memphis. Plus they at least have Gasol, another spanish player.
It's either a case of JWill or Pistol Pete - we will see.
I would love to have Rubio here. However, I still think that we will need another point for at least 3 years if he lands here. I much as I would love to have Rubio here I am still uneasy about handing the full-time reigns of the offense over to an 18 year old who weighs 170 lbs.
I can see the comparison because they both have some flash to their game. And JWill may be a cautionary tale for Rubio as he became so enamored with "wowing" the crowd that he eschewed fundamental basketball in favor of constantly trying to hit the home run.
With that said, Rubio is much more of a true point guard and a fundamental player than JWill ever was. He looks to pass first and set up his teammates (not run down the court and put up a 24 foot jumper at the beginning of the shot clock). Also, he has a much better idea how to run and offense and is great with the pick and roll. He also won defensive player of the year in his league. Now because he may have below average lateral quickness for a NBA player, that might not translate to him being a great NBA defender, but at least he tries and has good defensive fundamentals, something JWill never did. Finally, he is several years younger than JWill was when he entered the draft, so there is even more potential for growth in his game.
With that said, Rubio is much more of a true point guard and a fundamental player than JWill ever was. He looks to pass first and set up his teammates (not run down the court and put up a 24 foot jumper at the beginning of the shot clock). Also, he has a much better idea how to run and offense and is great with the pick and roll. He also won defensive player of the year in his league. Now because he may have below average lateral quickness for a NBA player, that might not translate to him being a great NBA defender, but at least he tries and has good defensive fundamentals, something JWill never did. Finally, he is several years younger than JWill was when he entered the draft, so there is even more potential for growth in his game.
Yeah, unless they can get an amazing trade out of another team, Hill is perfect for their needs. I still think unless the Clippers and Grizzlies make a trade, we should have a good opportunity to move up without having to pay too much. We may have to wait till draft day to guarantee that Hill is still there at 4 and then swap, but it should not cost us more than the #23 to move up 2 spots.
People seem to apply different standards to other teams when its convenient -- while its certainly true that Memphis needs a PF, isn't this the same draft where we, for ourselves, talk about needing to draft BPA if we're going to be up in the top 5? Hill may turn out to be that, but he's generally regarded more as a solid pick than an exciting one, and here we are asking other teams to do the very thing we say that we should not -- give up the superior talent to draft for position.
Only because there is a special circumstance with Rubio potentially not wanting to play there and actually having some leverage with his buy out. If the Grizzlies want him and think they can bring him over of course they will take him. If they think that Rubio is a lost cause then getting Hill + more goodies from us, that suddenly seems like a nice package. We're not talking about them passing on the BPA at 2 and reaching for Hill there instead.
Here, while we're at it let's just be REAL saavy:
1) Washington wants to sell its #5 pick. Let's go get it. offer Noc for immediate help, or take on a bad contract + offer a future #1 (top 3 protected -- so at most we lose one draft positon). Something.
2) armed with the #4 and #5 approach Memphis and OKC
3) Have Memphis take and hold Thabeet (not Rubio) for us in exchange for us taking Hill and swapping them. Throw in a future pick or one of our #23/#31 combo.
4) with Thabeet off the board and no other centers of note available, OKC's needs are then an OG. Have them take Rubio for us, while we take Harden + again sweeten the pot with a future pick or the #23/#31.
5) Exit draft with both Thabeet and Rubio and go skipping home.
Here, while we're at it let's just be REAL saavy:
1) Washington wants to sell its #5 pick. Let's go get it. offer Noc for immediate help, or take on a bad contract + offer a future #1 (top 3 protected -- so at most we lose one draft positon). Something.
2) armed with the #4 and #5 approach Memphis and OKC
3) Have Memphis take and hold Thabeet (not Rubio) for us in exchange for us taking Hill and swapping them. Throw in a future pick or one of our #23/#31 combo.
4) with Thabeet off the board and no other centers of note available, OKC's needs are then an OG. Have them take Rubio for us, while we take Harden + again sweeten the pot with a future pick or the #23/#31.
5) Exit draft with both Thabeet and Rubio and go skipping home.
1) Washington wants to sell its #5 pick. Let's go get it. offer Noc for immediate help, or take on a bad contract + offer a future #1 (top 3 protected -- so at most we lose one draft positon). Something.
2) armed with the #4 and #5 approach Memphis and OKC
3) Have Memphis take and hold Thabeet (not Rubio) for us in exchange for us taking Hill and swapping them. Throw in a future pick or one of our #23/#31 combo.
4) with Thabeet off the board and no other centers of note available, OKC's needs are then an OG. Have them take Rubio for us, while we take Harden + again sweeten the pot with a future pick or the #23/#31.
5) Exit draft with both Thabeet and Rubio and go skipping home.
Here, while we're at it let's just be REAL saavy:
1) Washington wants to sell its #5 pick. Let's go get it. offer Noc for immediate help, or take on a bad contract + offer a future #1 (top 3 protected -- so at most we lose one draft positon). Something.
2) armed with the #4 and #5 approach Memphis and OKC
3) Have Memphis take and hold Thabeet (not Rubio) for us in exchange for us taking Hill and swapping them. Throw in a future pick or one of our #23/#31 combo.
4) with Thabeet off the board and no other centers of note available, OKC's needs are then an OG. Have them take Rubio for us, while we take Harden + again sweeten the pot with a future pick or the #23/#31.
5) Exit draft with both Thabeet and Rubio and go skipping home.
1) Washington wants to sell its #5 pick. Let's go get it. offer Noc for immediate help, or take on a bad contract + offer a future #1 (top 3 protected -- so at most we lose one draft positon). Something.
2) armed with the #4 and #5 approach Memphis and OKC
3) Have Memphis take and hold Thabeet (not Rubio) for us in exchange for us taking Hill and swapping them. Throw in a future pick or one of our #23/#31 combo.
4) with Thabeet off the board and no other centers of note available, OKC's needs are then an OG. Have them take Rubio for us, while we take Harden + again sweeten the pot with a future pick or the #23/#31.
5) Exit draft with both Thabeet and Rubio and go skipping home.
Most teams we’ve spoken to in Chicago are indicating that they believe Oklahoma City is indeed leaning towards picking Harden. They also believe the Thunder are not enamored with Rubio at all, as they are committed to developing Russell Westbrook at his natural position—point guard.
http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jo...ony-Interview-on-the-Geoff-and-Gary-Show-3231
Memphis Thabeet......Kings Rubio!
http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jo...ony-Interview-on-the-Geoff-and-Gary-Show-3231
Memphis Thabeet......Kings Rubio!
Er...no.
When you retire numbers you do just that. Not to be undone for the sake of an unproven rookie. Not in the rookie's best interests either, because if he were by some miracle to turn out to be so great that he himself would one day be retired, he couldn't be retired under his same number.
Same problem with #9 -- hard to ask a kid to come in and have to live under the shadow of a player of KT's caliber.