Post by Haberino on Aug 11, 2010 14:23:12 GMT -5
To have four young, promising perimeter players isn't a bad problem. But faced with an underdeveloped young core and a year without its own draft choice, Oklahoma City is faced with the need to resolve its "problem".
Despite a renowned offseason, the Thunder are 10-21, a bottom-feeder in the Western Conference. Though players such as Jameer Nelson, Andre Iguodala and Omar Cook markedly improved in the offseason, they have proven unprepared to provide superstar Gerald Wallace with the supporting talents necessary. Qyntel Woods, though performing to career-best numbers, has not shown he can be a reliable offensive option. Donta Smith is clearly a few years from making an impact in BBS.
Wallace, himself, despite a dominant start and undeniable performance on both ends of the court, has hit a bump in the road. He looks increasingly worn out going against bigger and stronger power forwards, and his shooting percentages have taken a major dip.
Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Thunder GM Aaron Haberman said the team is working strenuously to fix the situation, but will not rush to depart with its youth. "We feel we are sitting on gold mine. We understand the embarrassment of struggling in a year without our pick, but with that said, we're not going to do something massive that will jeopardize our future."
Yet Haberman has received criticism for his refusal to shop any of his wings, given that there could never be enough playing time for the four to share. Haberman maintains that this is no reason to make moves this season. "If we get to the point where Donta and Qyntel and Andre show they are bona fide BBS starters, that won't be a bad thing. Gerald can continue to play at the 4. Donta can be a great sixth man down the line. There's no reason to rule out all of these guys staying with our organization. There's always room for talent, and it's good to have options.
"Ultimately, we feel that you don't deal a guy because you may not have room for him down the road. He'd certainly have more value when he proves that he's ready to create the need to give him playing time."
Haberman did not rule out adding starters, though, and said that he'd like to acquire a backup big man who could possibly claim the starting power forward spot and push Wallace back to his natural position. "We'd love to get another shotblocking, rebounding big man," he said. "Right now rebounding is a weakness, and with the addition of Chris Mihm, we have a chance to become of the better rebounding, interior defensive teams in the league. We're looking for that guy who will give us the really long, really athletic front court."
Haberman did not specify which pieces would be unavailable, but rather said the team prefers to make that ruling on a case-by-case basis. He has long maintained that no player is unavailable, but rather that loyalty and the best interests of the organization inform his trading principle.
Another area of concern has been Oklahoma's horrendous point guard play thus far. Jameer Nelson is expected by many to be the point guard of the future, but fans and players have all said that right now, Omar Cook is the team's better option. One player who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Cook is flat out a better player than Nelson and deserves starter's minutes. "People look at Omar and say he turns it over more, but we can live with an extra turnover every two games. If you go with the lowest turnover guy, you're sacrificing a guy who can actually score and create. Omar dominates Jameer in practice. He's the better passer and playmaker, not to mention a better scorer."
Haberman, for his part, confirmed that the Thunder are returning Cook to the starting lineup. "Everyone gets a chance. Those three [Nelson, Cook, and Sani Bericovic] are on par with each other. They compete for minutes and we're hoping it makes them better. We can't say for sure who our guy is until we've given them all a chance to be that guy. Again, it's not a bad problem."
Haberman acknowledged that the team's problems must be resolved by next season, saying that if they are not, it will be a sign that the team, and individuals, had not progressed. "We want to use this year developmentally. Who is going to move ahead of the pack? Who's going to be the guy to say, I'm Pippen to Gerald's Jordan? Who will tell us we need to keep them and we need to play them? Right now, it's not a matter of who's on the block; it's about who's going to prove they belong."
------------
Wednesday Bullets:
-Newly added center Chris Mihm said he is really excited about the move. "I accomplished something amazing in Toronto, but the fans weren't happy with my contract and the team said they needed flexibility. It's good to go somewhere where I'm wanted and where my skill set is, potentially, something that could put the team over the top. We have a really great group here, and I'm thrilled to be on board."
Mihm said he expects to claim a leadership role and thinks the Thunder are not far from the playoffs.
-Gerald Wallace said his recent struggles are due to "hitting the wall", which he says happens every year around this time. "I'm working extra-hard to push through. My legs are tired on my shot; I'm not getting the lift I need and I'm throwing up some line drives. I need to spend more time in the weight room, more time icing, and just come out and get myself in rhythm. I'll be fine."
Wallace said talks of him making the All-Star team or being an MVP candidate have not gone to his head, and that he is as focused as ever.
-Jameer Nelson said he totally understands his demotion. "We need to win. Omar can get us the offense we need. He can do what I wasn't able to. He and I are great friends and I know this move makes us better. I understand the need to work harder and improve, so no complaints from me."
-The Thunder play two games before the All-Star break, and will come back with three straight games against the Denver Nuggets. Haberman said the team needs to go game by game and put something together fast if they want to fight for the 8th seed.
Despite a renowned offseason, the Thunder are 10-21, a bottom-feeder in the Western Conference. Though players such as Jameer Nelson, Andre Iguodala and Omar Cook markedly improved in the offseason, they have proven unprepared to provide superstar Gerald Wallace with the supporting talents necessary. Qyntel Woods, though performing to career-best numbers, has not shown he can be a reliable offensive option. Donta Smith is clearly a few years from making an impact in BBS.
Wallace, himself, despite a dominant start and undeniable performance on both ends of the court, has hit a bump in the road. He looks increasingly worn out going against bigger and stronger power forwards, and his shooting percentages have taken a major dip.
Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Thunder GM Aaron Haberman said the team is working strenuously to fix the situation, but will not rush to depart with its youth. "We feel we are sitting on gold mine. We understand the embarrassment of struggling in a year without our pick, but with that said, we're not going to do something massive that will jeopardize our future."
Yet Haberman has received criticism for his refusal to shop any of his wings, given that there could never be enough playing time for the four to share. Haberman maintains that this is no reason to make moves this season. "If we get to the point where Donta and Qyntel and Andre show they are bona fide BBS starters, that won't be a bad thing. Gerald can continue to play at the 4. Donta can be a great sixth man down the line. There's no reason to rule out all of these guys staying with our organization. There's always room for talent, and it's good to have options.
"Ultimately, we feel that you don't deal a guy because you may not have room for him down the road. He'd certainly have more value when he proves that he's ready to create the need to give him playing time."
Haberman did not rule out adding starters, though, and said that he'd like to acquire a backup big man who could possibly claim the starting power forward spot and push Wallace back to his natural position. "We'd love to get another shotblocking, rebounding big man," he said. "Right now rebounding is a weakness, and with the addition of Chris Mihm, we have a chance to become of the better rebounding, interior defensive teams in the league. We're looking for that guy who will give us the really long, really athletic front court."
Haberman did not specify which pieces would be unavailable, but rather said the team prefers to make that ruling on a case-by-case basis. He has long maintained that no player is unavailable, but rather that loyalty and the best interests of the organization inform his trading principle.
Another area of concern has been Oklahoma's horrendous point guard play thus far. Jameer Nelson is expected by many to be the point guard of the future, but fans and players have all said that right now, Omar Cook is the team's better option. One player who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Cook is flat out a better player than Nelson and deserves starter's minutes. "People look at Omar and say he turns it over more, but we can live with an extra turnover every two games. If you go with the lowest turnover guy, you're sacrificing a guy who can actually score and create. Omar dominates Jameer in practice. He's the better passer and playmaker, not to mention a better scorer."
Haberman, for his part, confirmed that the Thunder are returning Cook to the starting lineup. "Everyone gets a chance. Those three [Nelson, Cook, and Sani Bericovic] are on par with each other. They compete for minutes and we're hoping it makes them better. We can't say for sure who our guy is until we've given them all a chance to be that guy. Again, it's not a bad problem."
Haberman acknowledged that the team's problems must be resolved by next season, saying that if they are not, it will be a sign that the team, and individuals, had not progressed. "We want to use this year developmentally. Who is going to move ahead of the pack? Who's going to be the guy to say, I'm Pippen to Gerald's Jordan? Who will tell us we need to keep them and we need to play them? Right now, it's not a matter of who's on the block; it's about who's going to prove they belong."
------------
Wednesday Bullets:
-Newly added center Chris Mihm said he is really excited about the move. "I accomplished something amazing in Toronto, but the fans weren't happy with my contract and the team said they needed flexibility. It's good to go somewhere where I'm wanted and where my skill set is, potentially, something that could put the team over the top. We have a really great group here, and I'm thrilled to be on board."
Mihm said he expects to claim a leadership role and thinks the Thunder are not far from the playoffs.
-Gerald Wallace said his recent struggles are due to "hitting the wall", which he says happens every year around this time. "I'm working extra-hard to push through. My legs are tired on my shot; I'm not getting the lift I need and I'm throwing up some line drives. I need to spend more time in the weight room, more time icing, and just come out and get myself in rhythm. I'll be fine."
Wallace said talks of him making the All-Star team or being an MVP candidate have not gone to his head, and that he is as focused as ever.
-Jameer Nelson said he totally understands his demotion. "We need to win. Omar can get us the offense we need. He can do what I wasn't able to. He and I are great friends and I know this move makes us better. I understand the need to work harder and improve, so no complaints from me."
-The Thunder play two games before the All-Star break, and will come back with three straight games against the Denver Nuggets. Haberman said the team needs to go game by game and put something together fast if they want to fight for the 8th seed.
