Minnesota Sports Forum

And for the record I would be all for your OKC trade

Unfortunately I'd have to agree with the people who don't think it's a given we could get Ibaka for Love straight up, between Durant and Westbrook they don't need more scoring. However far ahead Love is offensively, Ibaka is at least that far ahead defensively plus he continues to improve offensively.

The Rage Monster wrote:Unfortunately I'd have to agree with the people who don't think it's a given we could get Ibaka for Love straight up, between Durant and Westbrook they don't need more scoring. However far ahead Love is offensively, Ibaka is at least that far ahead defensively plus he continues to improve offensively.

This is absurd to me. Ibaka's superior presence on defense does NOT make up for how inferior he is to Love on offense.

*ORtg = Offensive Rating, for players it is points produced per 100 posessions.
*DRtg = Defensive Rating, for players it is points allowed per 100 posessions.

Ibaka:
ORtg = 109
DRtg = 99
Difference = 10 points

Love:
ORtg = 122
DRtg = 103
Difference = 19 points

So while you guys can argue that the Thunder don't need more offense, and that they need Ibaka's defense, I'm sure they'd rather have the player that is nine points better than what they currently have. In my mind, it'd be a no-brainer for OKC to offer something up for Love especially knowing the relationships he already has with KD and RW. Think like a GM, would you really say, "No thank you" to the chance of adding a top-five player to your team? If so, you don't understand how the NBA works today.

While we're on the topic of Ibaka, he would be great for us in a package deal for Love. His ability to hit the mid-range jumper can stretch a defense just enough to let Pekovic continue to eat in the low post. His shot-blocking ability would be a perfect fit next to Pek as well since that's not his forte. We'd go from bad interior defensive fits to perfect mesh of size and rim-protection. Crazy how easily that would flip-flop. Ibaka's also an above the rim type athlete that would be a better fit for Rubio.

Lamb's been one of my favorite young players since he was a freshman at UCONN so I'd love to get him. Size, length, fluid athleticism, shooting ability, etc. I've thought he has the tools to be really special for a while now. Again, really good fit next to Pek and Rubio.

After the OKC trade:

PG- Rubio/Jackson
SG- Lamb/Martin
SF- Lottery Pick/Budinger
PF- Ibaka/OKC First Rounder
C- Pekovic/Dieng

serge's D is about as overrated as it comes

Camden wrote:
*ORtg = Offensive Rating, for players it is points produced per 100 posessions.
*DRtg = Defensive Rating, for players it is points allowed per 100 posessions.

Ibaka:
ORtg = 109
DRtg = 99
Difference = 10 points

Love:
ORtg = 122
DRtg = 103
Difference = 19 points

this is completely stupid, by this measurement Love is 9 point better than Ibaka but also much better than KD and Lebron, don't know if you are serious or if you troll :-D

I like looking at ORtg and DRtg when comparing two players of the same position. When you start analyzing different positions with those stats, it gets messy.

I don't see OKC going into the luxury tax even if it means adding Love. They balked at extending Harden because of the tax implications and with Perk still having another year at 9+ million, they would be over the cap with just the big 3 and Perk, let alone trying to stay out of the tax. You can't pay 3 max deals and not go into the tax and they are too small a market to pay the tax even though they have a great fan base. Their ownership is like the Bulls with less money coming in. They are going to hug the tax line as best they can without going over it (they are less than a million under it right now). It also makes them look bad if they amnesty Perk to make room for another star when they could have done that from the beginning to keep Durant's best friend on the team. Unfortunately for them, Love would be a rental, because they really couldn't afford him when his deal is up as he and Durant will be making over 20 million/year at that point. I just don't see them doing it even though they'd be all in for a title this year and next.

Camden wrote:I like looking at ORtg and DRtg when comparing two players of the same position. When you start analyzing different positions with those stats, it gets messy.

you use it badly imho, look for example on the difference between David West and Dirk .. at least use simple rating (aka 82games.com) if anything, but even that is not good stat .. when it comes to defense i watch opponent production per 48 minutes (points/PER etc.) and for effect to team defense various advanced stats and most importantly watching games

for more explanation Ortg and Drtg are heavily influenced by all players on the floor and also team style and coaching, therefore starting 5 of players playing together is going to have similar numbers, aka Indiana for example where Hibbert has definitely best Drtg but is driving down numbers for others, and in our team Love is boosting Ortg for the rest of the group, you don't really think that Rubio's and Brewer's Ortg over 110 actually mean that they are good offensive players right? Btw. imho Brewer would be very close to Lebron if you would use your approach