Lets Assume OKC Drafts Rubio

by Balian on Jun 16, 2009 10:36 AM PDT

If OKC drafts Rubio, they would be more willing to trade Russell Westbrook. I think we have assets OKC wants to pull it off. How about a Rudy Fernandez package for a Westbrook package? OKC will have a lineup of:

Ricky Rubio

Rudy Fernandez

Kevin Durant

xxx xxxxxx

xxxxx xxxxxxx

Russell Westbrook

Okay, the OKC lineup is not as scary as I thought. OKC desperately need front court help. Our lineup would be awesome. We will have the best rebounding point guard in the league.

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We already have Westbrook. His name is just Bayless.

by Norsktroll on Jun 16, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions

Ehh...

Westbrook can play defense.
Westbrook can see the court.
Westbrook can rebound.

There is a reason why Westbrook went well before Bayless in the draft. Also, Westbrook had an entire NBA season of actually playing, which widened the gap between them.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions

um..

Bayless can play defense
Bayless “Sees” the court just as well as Westbrook, (they have almost identical assist percentages 21.8 vs 21.2)
Westbrook is the better rebounder, although on a team like Portland who led the league in the rebounding on the strength of Joel and Greg, he might not get as many as he did with OKC.

At the time, Westbrook was considered a stretch at 4th overall, but your right about his 1st year compared to Bayless, that year of experience is key, and the reason why he is considered by fans to be better than Bayless, and they are right in that he has been given the chance to prove he can play, where Bayless has not.

As for overall game I still take Bayless, because Westbrook was horrible on offense in his rookie year, (39.8% FG) while playing 32 mpg. At least when Bayless got time, he showed he can play well at both ends, at least for a rookie.

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by usmcr3049 on Jun 16, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

:-)

-Sorry, Westbrook can play defense well. People say Bayless has defensive potential and that he just got lots of bad rookie calls against him. Well Westbrook is a rookie that was just good at defense.
-Westbrook shares the court with Kevin Durant, that alone kills his assist percentage.
-Westbrook’s rebounds could drop on Portland, that’s a good point.

And, Westbrook still went 2nd of the PGs in that draft. Bayless fell behind not just Westbrook, but Gordon and D.J. too. Obviously these teams all don’t see Bayless as the sure thing that BEdge does.

Westbrook does need improvement in his 3 point shot especially, but it’s not like Bayless was lighting the league up with his shot. Being better + 1 year of real experience = I’d trade Bayless/Outlaw/Pick instantly for Westbrook.

It’s not gonna happen for various reasons, but I’d still do it.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Eric Gordon's a 2

and his ball handling is suspect.

by kobisportsguy on Jun 16, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

He was drafted as a PG/SG

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Whoever thinks he is a PG

needs to actually watch him play. The dude is a great scorer and can get the rim for 2 shots, but he isn’t exactly the sharing type.

My avatar is 3 years into the future for sure...

by Taskmaster on Jun 16, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Outlaw

has more value than that. If a trade for Westbrook was Bayless+our pick, I think that would be fair value both ways. But I don’t think GM’s think that way.

I don’t doubt Westbrook’s defensive ability, I doubt his offensive ability.
According to 82games.com Westbrook was a horrible offensive player in his rookie year. His shot chart was mostly jumpers, (58% of his total shots) an ability he has yet to master, (36.8 EFG%). Even the best part of his offense, close up shots, he struggled shooting 42.3% on layups, while having 17% of his attempts blocked. While he made sportscenter for some highlight dunks, that only accounted for 6% of his total offense!

If you compare Bayless and Westbrook’s stats broken down like this they are almost identical players on the offensive end, accept Bayless shot worse from the outside, and better on his close up chances. Which basically means, if Bayless got the minutes Westbrook got, then he would have had the same or slightly higher overall stats that Westbrook did in his rookie year.

As for defense, both players showed they have potential, but neither showed they are anything close to a lock down defender yet. Bayless edges out Westbrook in opponent FG% against, but just barely by allowing his man to shoot 49% from the floor, while Westbrook allowed 51.5% shooting. However Westbrook was able to deny his opponent open looks at a higher rate, which explains why he beat out Bayless in opponent Pts per48, (17.3 allowed vs 19.3 allowed for Bayless).

Westbrook has the advantage of playing 32 mins a game for a year, something Bayless could only dream of on the Blazers, but there is no doubt in my mind that if the Blazers had drafted Westbrook instead of Bayless, he would have been in the exact same position Bayless was in this last year. Unable to see court time because of his inability to hit shots, and run the offense.

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by usmcr3049 on Jun 16, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Meh

I think Westbrook would have taken Sergio’s spot, but we can’t really know.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I would do it too

I love westbrook. Reminds me of TP

Offseason:
PG Options: Mike Conley(T)/Rodrigue Beaubois(D)
SG Options: Mickaël Piétrus(T)
PF Options: Ronnie Turiaf(T) - Taj Gibson(D), Kevin Seraphin(D)
C Options: Alexis Ajinca(T)

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 16, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions

One big ? in that scenario.

Westbrook is a God awful 3 point shooter. 27% with 129 3s attempted is just bad. However, he is young and could improve greatly on that. (See Ariza in playoffs.)

Also, I’d prefer to see if they would accept other offers before Rudy. Bayless/Outlaw/2010 first round pick or something along those lines.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

I agree with Norsktroll

If Bayless had been drafted by the Thunder, he would be considered much the same as Westbrook, as he would be free to make mistakes and stay on the floor.

In the end I feel Rudy is worth more than Westbrook, (Yes I am biased for sure) so I would not do this deal, as I feel we already have someone on the roster who plays much the same, (slashing 1 with big hops, potential for great defensive play), and Rudy could help us get someone who is a much bigger upgrade.

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by usmcr3049 on Jun 16, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions

There's a lot to be said for a sure thing though

We know Westbrook will produce and can play D. We are simply hoping these things for Bayless. I’d gladly throw in Outlaw/Pick with Bayless to swap for Westbrook. You’re right about Rudy being too much though.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't know of Westbrook is a "sure thing"

He rookie year was ok, but he still has major holes, especially his offense, which besides the Highlight Dunk, was pretty awful.

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by usmcr3049 on Jun 16, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

True

If his shooting doesn’t improve then he’s jsut another Baron Davis. Pretty numbers with no efficiency at all, but we are also hoping that Bayless improves his shot.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I had him on my fantasy team

Some of his turnover numbers would make people here purple with rage.

I like Westbrook and would be perfectly happy if we had him. I think Bayless can easily be as good. I can’t say which one will be better, and if Bayless got 30 mins a night we KNOW he could score what Westie did and aside from rebounding his other numbers are similar.

Pretty much, it’s too early to choose between the two. Westie had some awful games, and insane turnover numbers. He wasn’t really a PG either, like Bayless.

Morty

by Mortimer on Jun 16, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Yea i get the feeling that Westbrook is Bayless with more PT.

Giving up assets for what we already have makes no sense.

Blazers to League: "We Must Break You"

by Ghengis on Jun 16, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

all accounts I've heard

say that Westbrook is decidely NOT on the block

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jun 16, 2009 10:47 AM PDT reply actions

same thing here,

Holligner speculated that the Thunder would move him to SG if they took Rubio.

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by usmcr3049 on Jun 16, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

If that happens

Will OKC be the shortest team in the league? Rubio at PG, Westbrook at SG, Durant at SF, Green at PF, and Collison at C. Oden should put up monster numbers against them.

by jstamp26 on Jun 16, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

neither is Chris Paul, Devin Harris, or Tony Parker. Lusting after point guards is a long-standing Blazersedge tradition. :)

proud hinrichsheeple

by Cablinasian on Jun 16, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah jeff green is the one on the trading block . they absolutely love westbrook over there

Officer:Why did you kill your husband ?
Crazy Woman: Because I love too much!

by YikesItsCameron on Jun 16, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Respectfully, this post depresses me in many ways.

1. It reminds me that Oklahoma City has a team, with Kevin Durant on it.
2. It promotes the painful and terrible (but seemingly popular) idea that Rudy Fernandez might be traded, or should be traded.
3. It links Rudy WITH Oklahoma City. If that happens, either Rudy returns to Europe or I stop watching the NBA.
4. It suggests that Ricky Rubio ALSO would be willing to play in Oklahoma. I know popular wisdom says he would be willing to play there. I’m deeply suspicious.

As an aside, I want to promote (at least in my immediate circle of friends) the idea that Oklahoma (not the Jazz, not the Lakers) is really the team that should be most loathed by Blazer nation. Especially if they achieve anything that looks like success, which for them, would be a 30 win season.

by chnews on Jun 16, 2009 10:58 AM PDT reply actions

If indeed they draft Rubio and keep him

there is no way in hell they trade with us for anything. we are going to be battling each other for years to come

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jun 16, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

If they do draft Rubio...

you can assume that they will keep Westbrook as a back up or move him to the 2.

by jenstcy on Jun 16, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions

They'd move him to the 2 because he can guard both positions.

That and what Raven mentioned is why we can’t get Westbrook unless maybe we parted ways with Przybilla or something, which we now don’t do.

by Zaig on Jun 16, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

meh... Rubio Schmubio

by Escrote on Jun 16, 2009 11:18 AM PDT reply actions

You are making OKC very powerful with this trade

Free Sergio!

by ABSF on Jun 16, 2009 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah .

Don’t you know your not supposed to make big trades within your own division.

OKC isn’t THAT far behind us in talent. In three years or so they could give us some trouble.

Officer:Why did you kill your husband ?
Crazy Woman: Because I love too much!

by YikesItsCameron on Jun 16, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

OKC is far behind the Blazers in talent.

They have the ability to draft and trade to become a decent team but as far as their roster right now, they absolutely stink.

"And once again we can say, it's a GREAT day to be a Blazer."- Brian Wheeler

by lrh86 on Jun 16, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

What im trying to say is

They arent the clippers, they arent the bulls and they arent the grizzlies . These teams will always suck .sure these teams will be make playoffs once in a while but they arent winners. OKC will be good some day , and that will be sooner than later. but i do agree they stink right now.

Officer:Why did you kill your husband ?
Crazy Woman: Because I love too much!

by YikesItsCameron on Jun 16, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions

The Bulls are actually a pretty good team.

They made the playoffs last year and I can really see them becoming a force in the East in a few years.

"And once again we can say, it's a GREAT day to be a Blazer."- Brian Wheeler

by lrh86 on Jun 18, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

OKC won't trade a guy they dratfed #4 one year ago...won't happen

by rip_city_swagger on Jun 16, 2009 3:57 PM PDT reply actions

A wing tandem of Kevin Durant and Rudy Fernandez would be worse defensively than that of many high ...

school teams. Heck, I’d take Swin Cash and Tanisha Wright of the Seattle Storm over those two on defense.

Yet, all hyperbole aside, the likelihood of the Oklahoma City Thunder drafting Ricky Rubio — who’d probably throw a fit in that case, since playing there is likely his least desired location — or trading Russell Westbrook is next to nil. In fact, I’d argue that Sam Presti won’t trade Westbrook under any realistic circumstances.

by AK1984 on Jun 16, 2009 5:11 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

I think Rubio would throw a fit going to OKC. Its not like there is any better than Memphis and Russell Westbrook probably wouldnt be traded even if OKC drafted Rubio. Its possible to have 2 different PG’ s with different styles of play. Thats why Portland might be going after another PG to play with Bayless. Westbrook is pretty similar to Bayless in alot of ways so it is possible that OKC would want both players.
We wouldnt want 2 Bayless’s either. At least I wouldnt

by quezadaz on Jun 17, 2009 1:15 AM PDT up reply actions