is the OKC team one starting SG away?

[MISSERY]

not mentioning harden but...are they one SG away?

lets say they go through free agent market

westbrook ? durant ibaka kanter

batum
beal
fournier
crawford
green
rush
smith
barnes
wade
drozan
bryant
afflalo
lee
stephenson
mayo

is there anyone there that can make okc a legit contenders?
they got stacked up bigs mcgarry-adams-kanter-ibaka

[alldaboston]

For years there was speculation among fans that a Bradley-Ibaka deal would benefit both teams. At the time, most felt Boston had to give an extra piece. But now, I think it's even, or even on OKC to give another piece to make a deal.

FWIW, I'd try to trade for ibaka this summer if nothing else works (without giving up Avery, of course). I know ibaka hasn't had a great season, but his scenario screams Batum to me. Batum was really struggling last season in Portland and many were down on him. He got shipped to Charlotte for a small price, and it's been huge. Batum has played great again, and Charlotte is in the playoffs and tied 2-2 vs Miami.

Ibaka, though he's struggling, could be another Batum situation in my opinion. Buy low if you can, and reap the benefits. He would be great for us too. Can protect the rim, can shoot, spreads the floor from time to time.

[Bucketgetter]

First they have to resign Durant.

[mr. dee]

James Young, Hunter, Sullinger and Bos 1st and few 2nd rounders for sweetener.

[Endless Paradise]

Ibaka hasn't been struggling since January. He just finished up the Dallas series shooting something like 70%.

[GetLucky]

This OKC team always seems "one step away." First, they were "one true center away" from contention, and they traded Green for Perkins. Although this had logic similar to the Bogut-to-Warriors move, it was pretty clearly not the right one (no rings). Then, they were "one seasoned shooter and some depth" away, so they used that as justification to trade Harden for KMart and picks (Jeremy Lamb and Adams, if I recall correctly). Then, once KMart left, they were "one scoring guard away" and traded for Reggie Jackson. That didn't work out. Then they were "one stretch four" away, so they developed Ibaka's shooting and nothing else. Now, he's arguably more irrelevant on offense than he was before.

I'm aware there were extenuating circumstances at work here (Durant/Westbrook injuries, etc). But call the run whatever you want: short-sighted, unlucky, cheap, or some combination of the three; it has simply not worked out. They always seem like they're "right there," but then some other excuse pops up. With OKC arguably peaking with two top 5 players, a rim-protecting stretch four, a heat-check sixth man (Waiters), a rough-and-tumble center (Adams), and others taking up their cap space, they are still likely second-round fodder for the Spurs.

(Come to Boston, KD!)

[LooseCannon]

They might be a new owner and a good coach away.

[LGC88]

Each year, they shuffle their role players. As a result, the chemistry and motivation to win is not on top. That's what I feel when I watch them. Great team, top5 without a doubt, but not a winner.
And Donovan as a coach won't cut it I'm afraid. I'm still wondering, how the hell they thought Donovan is THE coach to hire for them. A rookie coach to win a title now or next season? wow

[MJohnnyboy]

If they had someone like Thabo Sefolosha on their squad, man that would really-

Oh wait.

[greenhead85]

They're just one true defense team away from title contention.

I noticed in their last 10 or so regular games and playoff games that Westbrook  appears to have finally "understood" his true role in the team. He has to continue facilitating other players in scoring and to score only after everyone else is covered. He has to keep his teammates going offensively to negate offense stagnation. His field goals has been reduced and it has made the Thunder much better. He has to play smart like Dennis Johnson-smart. It might keep the team intact after the season. His last playoff game though is not good  (20+ FGs and 10+ rebounds). Other players could do those rebounds. He has to trust his teammates.

Their team is complete. Even at the SG they're ok. They just need to play better defense to find more success.

[Celtics4ever]

Too bad, they may lose some guys and never see it to fruition.

Also, they had Harden and it did not work for them, folks.  Only one ball for so many players.

[Big333223]

A guy like Afflalo would be perfect. They keep going after players that can either defend but not shoot or shoot but not defend (and then there's Dion Waiters who can't do either). Afflalo is no all star but he's a capable defender who can make shots. Someone like that could slide into that lineup and take them to another level.

[slamtheking]

They're more than a SG away, they need:
- an SG that can defend and shoot.  Doesn't need the ball to be effective.  an AB-type.
- a C that can defend, score and rebound.  it's not Adams or Kanter.  They're good to have off the bench but either as a starter isn't helping.  of course, few teams in the league don't need this.
- Scoring off the bench at forward and backcourt.  They need 2 more guys off the bench that can mesh with Westbrook and/or Durant that are respectable scorers.  Guys that can hit open shots to prevent double-teams on RW and KD.  They don't really have that now.

[Endless Paradise]

- a C that can defend, score and rebound.  it's not Adams or Kanter.  They're good to have off the bench but either as a starter isn't helping.  of course, few teams in the league don't need this.

... the hell are you talking about? Their starting lineup has the highest net rating in the league. The weak link is Roberson, not Adams. Adams is a perfectly capable starter who's making clear, tangible improvements in his game.

[jambr380]

- a C that can defend, score and rebound.  it's not Adams or Kanter.  They're good to have off the bench but either as a starter isn't helping.  of course, few teams in the league don't need this.

... the hell are you talking about? Their starting lineup has the highest net rating in the league. The weak link is Roberson, not Adams. Adams is a perfectly capable starter who's making clear, tangible improvements in his game.

Yeah, and frankly the one thing Kanter can do is score. Wasn't he 2nd in 6th man of the year voting? I agree he has absolutely no defense, but they should be covered in that department.

They really do need a Bradley type guard, though.