Desmond Mason To Leave The Thunder
by McCleak on Aug 21, 2009 9:43 PM CDT
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PrintMason won't return to Thunder
Is it just me or would this be a really good pickup for a single season? I know he's looking for a multi-year deal, but those seem to be gone at this point. I think he's exact the type of player that the Wolves need for a season, and could add some really solid perimeter D to the team if he's paired with Brewer on the court.
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I like him, but...
The reason he’s not returning there is because they don’t want to give him more than a one-year deal.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Aug 21, 2009 10:33 PM CDT reply actions
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I question the point of this move. Mason’s not a terribly productive player on the Offensive End of the Floor. He’s clearly not a floor spacer. His upside has long passed him. We could probably sign 15 D-Leaguers who could be just as productive. He’s a capable defender- although with his Offensive numbers for last year- he’d have to be to ever play.
I doubt we could find D-Leaguers that are as productive, and certainly none that could swing between the 2 and the 3 properly. And if you break down his offensive numbers, the loss of his offensive game is solely because he stopped going to the rim. If he starts doing that again, he’ll be fine.
Also, the main reason I find Mason attractive is that he can play strong, up-tempo D. With Flynn, Brewer, and eventually Rubio, I think we’re one player away from having an excellent backcourt defensive presence (as an aside, it amazes me that no one remarks at how much better this unit is going to play D when compared to last year’s squad). So yes, I would want him concentrating on D on every possession.
I tend to find it hard to believe
We could findn’t D-Leaguers that have TS% of 45. I also tend to doubt he’s going to get more explosive attacking the rim at 32-33. I also tend to doubt that his defensive game will hold up. If he was really that good on this end of the court- “Why does OKC get rid of him?” I just disagree on this one-strongly.
by Jose Cordoba on Aug 22, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
The other option at 2/3
If they decide to sign another guy is Keith Bogans. He’s a better defender, but his role in an uptempo game would be as a spot-up shooter (and his career 35% average doesn’t exactly qualify him as a specialist).
But if they keep Wilkins, I don’t think it makes sense to sign either guy. He’s somewhat of a cross between the two in that he shoots it almost as well as Bogans and is an athletic option that might not be Mason’s caliber but is still decent while being a decent defender.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Aug 22, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Stats say no
http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=3220
First off, it’s good to finally post here. Visit the site pretty often, so I figured it’s about time I get involved in some discussion.
Secondly, as nice as the “veteran backcourt presence” and “athletic wing” descriptions sound, the stats outlined in the BR link above show how those two things don’t really matter as much if he’s one of the worst-performing players in the NBA. I don’t want him, especially after including the price and years he’s asking for. I think he gets by on name recognition and absurd athleticism. I’d be more on board if he weren’t 32 with nowhere to go but down (where he’s been going for a while). Anything resembling perimiter shooting would be nice as well. Putting him on the court with Brewer would be kinda redundant and would do nothing for stretching the D.
We might as well sign some of the names being bandied about around here instead, like Carney and Green. They’re both just as athletic as Mason, are better shooters (yikes), and still have room for improvement. Might as well get value from similar performance for a cheaper price. There’s gotta be a Hollins-esque (youngish, cheap, solid upside) signing to be made at the 2/3 somewhere.
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