Author: Mike

Seventh overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 2006–Randy Foye.

It’s being reported OKC has acquired Randy Foye from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Steve Novak, DJ Augustin, and two second round picks. To be blunt, this does nothing for me. It gives the Thunder another wing player who is an average defender. Foye is a ten year vet who was drafted out of Villanova as the seventh overall pick by Boston. He’s currently having the worst shooting season of his career at .351% and .296%.

Not sure where his minutes will come from given he’s not a better defender than either Waiters or Singler. He’s certainly not a better three point shooter than Morrow and he’s certainly not in Roberson’s class as a defender. Maybe there’s more to Roberson’s injury than we’ve been told so far.

The Thunder do create an open roster space and have cut a bit of salary as well.

Certainly nothing here which moves the Thunder in a big way. About what was expected. But I’ve always liked Randy Foye, especially about four years earlier in his career.

I’ve had some tough things going on in my family recently. But I just received a call from my son which warmed my heart and made he happy. It’s a beautiful spring-like day. I think I’m going to smile, exhale, and walk on some sunshine–if you know what I mean.

 

The NBA trade deadline expires later this afternoon and quite frankly I don’t expect Oklahoma City to do much beyond possibly moving Steve Novak’s expiring $3.75 million contract to make a roster spot available for a late season buyout of a player like say Kevin Martin.

OKC is every bit as elite offensively as Golden State so even adding Martin isn’t that big of a deal unless you’re one these types who believe Kevin Martin is an overall better player than Dion Waiters. He isn’t. Waiters is much better defensively than Martin. Martin is more efficient offensively, but as we saw in the Golden State game–Waiters only took five shots, so that isn’t what got the Thunder beat. Defense is where Oklahoma City has to become better if they’re to make a special run this post season.

Defense is where OKC will either improve or not make it to the NBA Finals. With Roberson at some point reentering, plus Donovan’s confidence in both Waiters and Singler—those three guys are key to OKC improving their perimeter defense as we move along into March and April. Again, Kevin Martin would do nothing to meet that end and OKC is already elite offensively.

It’s all about defense. If you doubt, ask Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Another words, taking the other guy’s space and time away from him as much as humanly possibly.

Some have talked about a DJ Augustin and Mitch McGary deal for PJ Tucker, but I don’t think so for two reasons.

One, Cam Payne got eaten alive in the Golden State game. Not dissing Payne because I like him, but it might be good to have Augustin around for the post season just in case.

Two, Presti might actually need McGary next season because common sense would say Serge Ibaka could very well be traded next season in  preparation of Durant, Westbrook, and Adams all becoming free agents at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. Of course, in writing this I’m assuming Durant signs a one year extension after this season to stay with Westbrook.

In the event OKC keeps both Durant and Westbrook long term, there’s no way they can afford to keep both Adams and Ibaka. Let’s be candid, Adams has caught Ibaka and will probably pass him as an overall player. Plus, with Adams at center and Durant at the power forward spot, OKC can more than match the type of matchups Golden State dictates, it’s going to be about small ball in many instances and Serge Ibaka becomes expendable. In fact, if OKC makes it to the conference finals against Golden State—where exactly does Serge Ibaka fit in?

He doesn’t–as we saw on Super Bowl Saturday as he couldn’t keep up with Harrison Barnes. Golden State is changing the way the game is played and to beat them you either adapt or get beat. Not complicated.

Maybe Presti will surprise me and make a major move, but I don’t think so, at least not until sometime next season.

The Thunder have a good team, just tweak some things defensively and see what happens is my take given what’s available currently.

 

Feeling mentally rested from the break. Ready to bear down for the home stretch and the goal achieving portion of the season. Thought this would be a good time to maybe go through some of the award leaders.

MVP – Steph Curry. Enough said.

Offensive Player of the Year – Steph Curry again. But I think OKC’s own Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have been excellent and should be in the mix.

Defensive Player of the Year – I’ll go Kawhi Leonard.

Sixth Man of the Year  –  I’ll go multiple guys here with it still being a horserace between Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lin, Ryan Anderson, and Will Barton.

Coach of the Year – At this juncture, I’m going with either Brad Stevens or Terry Stotts.

Rookie of the Year – I’m going with Karl-Anthony Towns, with Kristaps Porzingus in close pursuit.

Most Improved Player – I’m going with CJ McCullum from the Portland Trailblazers.

Most Surprising Team From a Positive Standpoint – I’m going with either Boston or Portland. Both have been great stories. Nobody thought Portland had much of a chance to even contend for a playoff spot. Boston is on a roll and currently the No. 3 seed in the East with a young core of players who are growing up under Brad Stevens.

Most Disappointing Team – New Orleans clearly leads in this category with Houston and Washington following in the mix.

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Already starting to miss games. Trade deadline on Thursday. Then big home games this week-end against the Pacers and Cleveland.

 

What a great Valentine’s Day! Burned a ton of tree limbs all day out here at the Deer Creek ranch and got my pyro fix satiated. Hiked thru the forest with the alpha diva lab Pauli. Watched Russell Westbrook win his second consecutive All-Star MVP. Got to see Sting on the TNT Halftime Show, and had a great meal with some wine. Plus, did the chick flick thing. It was a good day.

My second favorite Sting song after Roxanne. How fitting for Valentine’s.

My favorite Sting song.

One more and I’m done. Third favorite Sting song. I was stunned Sting played tonight. I didn’t think the young knucklehead TNT male dem even knew who he was/is. Seriously. Kind of made my night. Maybe there is still hope for our Republic after all.

 

 

 

 

One last thing, shame on those judges last night in the Slam Dunk contest for taking the easy way out and giving the award to Zach LaVine. No way. Aaron Gordon should have been the winner. Gordon was cutting new innovative ground while LaVine was basically just doing what Michael did years ago.

 

I can’t lie, even as a rough and tumble Thunder rogue blogger, I always watch my favorite chick flick on Valentine’s Day night. I love chick flicks, what can I say? Probably in my Top Five all-time… currently I’d go 1 Serendipity, 2 Four Weddings and a Funeral, 3 Sleepless in Seattle, 4 Her, and 5 When Harry Met Sally.

Anyway, have a nice Valentine’s watching your favorite chick flick, eating Chinese and drinking wine. My two favorite scenes from Serendipity.

While Donald Trump and Jeb Bush continued their childish mano y mano, once again the one adult on the stage with a qualified resume to actually be running for the office… displayed why he should be seriously considered. Imagine…a  qualified candidate with a proven track record actually being considered by the electorate. Who would have even considered the concept viable?

John Kasich 2016