Irving or Westbrook
by nodnarb on Apr 27, 2011 8:49 PM CDT
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PrintMy apologies from the start as I realise it's a bit early for this sort of thing. As the Timberwolves are rarely a playoff caliber team, this time of year I get all excited thinking about the combinations of possible draft-able players and free agents with the hope of a better next year. I was reading this trash over on RealGM and it got me thinking....
Let's say Hell as we know it has frozen over and the Timberwolves secure the rights to draft #1 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. If you are *not* named David Kahn, you realise that you have a certain All-Star player on your roster that, even though he was brought in by the previous regime, you would like to see stick around for a while. Knowing full well that drafting players is not your strong suite, do you accept the path well traveled and draft a Kyrie Irving, or do you look to make a move? Do you call Sam Presti down in OKC and offer said #1 pick and one Mike Beasley for Russell Westbrook and perhaps Cole Aldrich and/or a future first rounder? Would that be giving up too much, or does Presti just hang up and send an email about it to his buddies for a laugh?
Considering the recent 'LeBroning' Cleveland endured coupled with how Denver was 'Melo'd this year _and_ the speculation that D12 and CP3 are on their way to the Lakers, Knicks, or Charlotte to play under MJ, (or, wherever) does a POBO try to strike early? If we were to make a play for KLove's college roommate (and good friend), and send OKC Durant's childhood buddy along with, presumably, the right to draft Irving, would Presti bite? If anyone can get the most out of Beastley, it should be a Durant and Perkins sandwich (right?).
Just think about it for a minute. Get past the shock, and let it soak in.
Kahn has shown an ability to make fairly decent trades, and has failed miserably in the talent evaluation necessary for drafting players (ahem, basketball players). Westbrook isn't exactly a veteran presence, but he isn't some 19 year old unproven rookie either. He does have playoff experience. Also, Westbrook's athleticism should allow him to play significant minutes at the 2 if and when Mr. Rubio decides he wants to play in the NBA. I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench between Kyrie Irving's eyebrows or anything, but I'm intrigued by the thought. Granted, it does hinge on obtaining the #1 pick, or perhaps the #2 pick behind Washington...coupled with perhaps an OKC let down in the 'doggone playoff'. Hmmm... I did say hell had frozen over didn't I?
So, CHers, what excites you more for next season, Irving or Westbrook?
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So, CHers, what excites you more for next season, Irving or Westbrook?
That answer is simple, and it is Westbrook. He would instantly help us score, and would run a really, really nice 2-man game with K-Love.
That being said, I am not a huge Westbrook fan as a PG. Pair him with the best scorer in basketball and he looks great. I just think he takes a lot of bad shots and doesn’t distribute the ball well. I don’t want to be too tough on the kid, but on a different team he might just be a better Foye.
Regardless, I doubt the Thunder does it, unless there is some huge blowup this summer between Westbrook and KD, and although Westbrook would make us better next season, I think Irving would probably be a better long term prospect.
If I'm the wolves
I do this in less than a second. Westbrook is the boss.
But the thunder have one of the most up and coming teams in the NBA- I think there is no way they split up half of their dynamic duo.
Yep, I think you are right
and the fact that Durant and Beasley are childhood friends may play a part too, and quite possibly be a negative factor. Although if anyone can get Beas to focus, Durant would be the guy.
No thanks
Irving could be just as good if not better than Westbrook. I know Beasley isn’t the basketball god we all thought he was 3 years ago but he can score and you’re basically trading him for someone who I believe will never contribute too much in the NBA. Now if it was Irving and Beas for Westbrook and Ibaka or Mayo I’m in. I know the Westbrook and Ibaka gets laughed at by Presti but I’d have to think he would listen to Westbrook and Mayo.
by The Serbian Gangster on Apr 27, 2011 10:22 PM CDT reply actions
I bet he'd laugh at Westbrook and Mayo too
Because Mayo isn’t on the Thunder
Sorry
I’ve been drinking and it sounded like a really good idea at the time.
by The Serbian Gangster on Apr 27, 2011 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
In my defense
I was switching back and forth between the games so both players were fresh in my mind.
by The Serbian Gangster on Apr 27, 2011 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Lol, no defense necessary
Although I do think Mayo might be some one we should try hard to target. The Grizz aren’t gonna be able to pay him once hes a free agent, so maybe we can help them out.
I actually had Westbrook and Ibaka until right before I posted
I took Serge off because it is often mentioned on this board that we (as fans) overvalue our players. I hedged, then took his name off.
As far as Irving goes, who knows what he will actually be like in the NBA. He could be a top 3 point guard for the next 15 years, or he could be…well… I don’t know what his basement would be. I was going to type ‘Jonny Flynn’ and then rational thought re-entered my head. Part of the point was Westbrook is a known commodity.
"You'd hate to have to choose between death and Kwame."
If I owned the Thunder
And my building was jam packed night after night, plus an avg of maybe 6-8 playoff home games a year for the next 6-8 years being a virtual certainty. Now my GM is asking me to shake the bag and bring in Beasley and a PG that looked good in a dozen college games.
Ah doy
by fanslaststand on Apr 27, 2011 10:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Absolutely.
That’s a fair criticism. You have to at least have the conversation with your staff and consider it though, don’t you? I didn’t think they’d trade Green, as I thought he was part of their ‘core’, but they did. Granted, that comparison isn’t fair, I’m just trying to illustrate that a competent GM has to consider anything that will (or could) make his club better.
"You'd hate to have to choose between death and Kwame."
No, I hear you...
People are a little down on Westbrook lately and the Beasley/Durant thing is an interesting angle, plus if their scouts lost their minds over Irving…add it all up and it’s interesting.
As a business decision it’s insane though. The place is packed, winning playoff games, fahgitaboutit
by fanslaststand on Apr 27, 2011 11:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I suppose...
flip side to this coin (in this scenario) is we draft Irving, everyone on our team learns how to play defense and we become the next OKC.
Either way, I have an entire case of rose coloured glasses to sell if anyone is interested.
"You'd hate to have to choose between death and Kwame."
I hate how Westbrook runs the point.
I like his athleticism and ability to drive and get contact, but I think he’s a brutal point guard. His shot’s off, too.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Apr 27, 2011 11:20 PM CDT reply actions
Good reasons, but completely unrealistic nonetheless.
No way OKC trades him for anything really.
I’d greatly prefer Westbrook. That said, Irving has a chance to be better. Westbrook is a teensy bit overrated. Per 82games.com, his team actually got worse with him on the court this season. A lot of the steps forward he took in his game this season came at the expense of his team. He needs to be more efficient with his possessions and, in general, use fewer of them to really maximize his ability.
If it wasn't for Jordan Farmar and that guy Kevin Love, I would've killed somebody!
Very interesting proposal
I like your moxie, sir.
Trading a player who is a bona fide electric NBA player, but who doesn’t fit his position very well, for a college player who might be a much better fit, but only played a handful of college games as a Freshman is a very, very interesting and very risky trade to consider.
Ultimately OKC would not do this deal. It’s just too risky with a team that is damn good already. But if this were a fantasy or NBA2K11 team…I think I’d do it.
OKC would laugh
at anything the Wolves could offer for Westbrook short of Love. There is just no good reason for OKC take the risk when they are so close or are a championship caliber team.
Are you saying Westbrook doesn't fit his position very well?
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Apr 28, 2011 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Eric Gordon
If you’re going to go after a proven NBA, though still young, scorer, I’d try to go after Eric Gordon.
by Krotz the Wall on Apr 28, 2011 12:54 PM CDT reply actions
Irving
Westbrook is great but man does he take some bad shots. I think Irving has shown he’s a little more willing to facilitate. That said there’s no way OKC does this so it doesn’t matter.
- The real reason is that I can hope Irving will be a superstar while Westrbrook is merely an all-star.
He hangs up.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Apr 28, 2011 5:25 PM CDT reply actions
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