Thunder Could Pass On Both Rubio, Thabeet

[SuperNova854]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59729/20090610/thunder_could_pass_on_both_rubio_thabeet/

Thunder general manager Sam Presti isn't revealing who he's targeting with the third pick, but he could pass on the popular options.

There has been speculation that Oklahoma City could pass on Ricky Rubio and Hasheem Thabeet in favor of either James Harden or DeMar DeRozan.

[Rudi]

Terrible move, this team could be legit with Thabeet. James Harden is not going to be good. I don't understand the hype surrounding him and Jordan Hill. Blows my mind

[The Messenger]

Terrible move, this team could be legit with Thabeet. James Harden is not going to be good. I don't understand the hype surrounding him and Jordan Hill. Blows my mind

The hype around Harden is he's NBA ready and has produced in college. People didn't look at him as highly because they thought of him as less athletic than most players. However, the NBA combine proved that James Harden is just as athletic, if not more athletic, than the majority of the players in the draft.

I kind of see Harden as that guy who can give you what you'll get right now, but I don't see nearly as much potential in him as everyone else seems to. Guys like Demar DeRozan give me wet dreams.

Jordan Hill is one of those all potential guys like Anthony Randolph and DeAndre Jordan were a year ago. I think that's also a set-up for disaster.

I've been saying this since the beginning, the Thunder should draft Hasheem Thabeet. They lack that big center who can grab boards and alter shots. They don't need another wingman who can score. Well they do for their bench, but they don't need any of the lottery picks for that.

[SuperNova854]

Terrible move, this team could be legit with Thabeet. James Harden is not going to be good. I don't understand the hype surrounding him and Jordan Hill. Blows my mind

Apparently somebody hasn't done ANY research about James Harden. James Harden, without a doubt in my mind is the clear 2nd best player in the draft. He had the 2nd highest vertical ext to Jonny Flynn, and had almost the exact same speed as Flynn. He is a shorter Brandon Roy. I remember back in the 06 draft? where Roy came out how people said Roy wasn't going to have a good career.

[MRN]

It's obvious to me that they need a center, be smart and take Thabeet.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

There isn't much difference in quality of player after Griffin other than the point guard position, which is loaded with solid players that could reach into the second round.

The difference between a Thabeet, Harden, Derozen, Blair, Earl Clark, Sam Young (ie: players up and down the first round board) is so very little, that they could go in a number of directions and its really just about preference.

That is, other than point guard, which is deep as can be. A guy like patrick Mills, who is a potential mismatch and top flight PG in the NBA is being said to go at the end of round 1 and maybe round 2. Some really good point guards in the draft this year.

[JrRawlins]

the draft is definitely point guard heavy, if you leave this draft without a solid point guard on your team your scouting department should be fired...... there are like 10 legit point guard prospects..... about the Thunder, if DeRozan fits their bill i could see them grabbin him.... but i would takin Thabeet personally his size and defensively ability, the Thunder can score with most with Westbrook, Durant, and Green.... while they need a shooter, you cant teach ThaBeet's size and defensive ability... he is the anchor they need....

[Archer]

Im sure the Thunder can feel Thabeet

[mfbmike]

Better for the Sacramento Kings IMO who want Rubio. lul.

[Juggernaut]

What I want to see:

OKC draft Harden
Sign Marcin Gortat to be the starting center

Kings then get rubio

[JrRawlins]

Krstic is solid, but Thabeet could be great......

[A Tasty Burgerr]

Its not like Thabeet is a guaranteed great #2 pick like everyone is making him out to be, he is still extremely raw and may not be very affective for a while.

Harden is a safe pick, and the Thunder need a decent 2 guard just as badly as they need a center.

[JrRawlins]

Its not like Thabeet is a guaranteed great #2 pick like everyone is making him out to be, he is still extremely raw and may not be very affective for a while.

Harden is a safe pick, and the Thunder need a decent 2 guard just as badly as they need a center.

it is much easier to find a decent 2 guard than it is a 7 footer with the ability to come in and rebound and defend the paint like Thabeet can... with his size you can plug him and and he should hit the boards early in his career and get plenty of blocks..... Harden wiill come in and maybe start maybe he wont, he wouldnt hav emuch of an impact with Durant and Westbrook dominating the ball... not to mention, the Thunder need a pure shooter which they dont currently have.....

[Kuzzy Powers]

Can you imagine the Thunder take Thabeet and hes a bust? That'd be 4 big-men busts for the Thunder.

Mohammed Sene
Robert Swift
Johan Petro

Man.. if they could've gotten ONE decent center out of that mix.. or even decent players in general, the Thunder could be scary already and next year's break out team.

[FedEx227]

Well, did anyone really expect Robert Swift to be anything special?