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OKC Thunder: Draft History – 2008

By Matthew Hallett

Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebartes after they beat thew Orlando Magic in overtime at Amway Center. Westbrook is the first player to score the most points in triple-double in NBA history. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebartes after they beat thew Orlando Magic in overtime at Amway Center. Westbrook is the first player to score the most points in triple-double in NBA history. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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With June 22 marking the 2017 NBA Draft TI decided to look back at the OKC Thunder draft history.

Since draft selections are hit and miss, it is time to look back at the draft history of the OKC Thunder. The first draft we reflect on is from 2008. I strongly believe this is the most  important draft of the OKC Thunder history. It was the first one after the franchise moved, even though they still selected as Seattle. But more importantly, it was the draft of Russell Westbrook, among others.

In this draft, the OKC Thunder had six picks, a far cry from the zero from the 2016 draft. The Thunder had two first round picks and four second round picks.

OKC Thunder First Round:

With the fourth pick of the draft, the Thunder made a franchise changing move when they selected Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has been nothing short of sensational for the OKC Thunder, I do not need to gush too much. He has quite simply been the face of the OKC Thunder, especially since the defection of Kevin Durant last season.

Westbrook has also been the standout of the 2008 draft. He leads all players in minutes, points, assists, steals and triple doubles. He also leads the win shares column. His value over replacement player rating is 48.5, with Kevin Love second in this category at 23.5. That is an incredible number.

Related: Channeling David Letterman with the Russ Top 10 triple-double list

In a testament to his all-round abilities and athleticism, Westbrook is also fifth in total rebounds, ahead of the Lopez brothers and only 26 rebounds behind Roy Hibbert.  The players selected before Westbrook? They were none other than Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo. Needless to say, OKC won this draft.

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With the 24th pick, the OKC Thunder took Serge Ibaka. Of this draft class, Ibaka has the most blocks and is third overall in total rebounds. He has shown tremendous growth in his game by having the 11th best three point shooting percentage in his draft class. Not bad from a player who took six three point attempts in his first, three years.

OKC Thunder Second Round:

In the second round the Thunder selected four players. Walter Sharpe was the first player picked by the Thunder with the 32nd pick. Sharpe was traded with the 46th pick, Trent Plaisted for D.J White on draft night. Sharpe played only eight games in the NBA, Plaisted played none.

The next pick was Devon Hardin at number 50 who did not play a single game in the NBA. And, the final pick in the draft for the Thunder was Sasha Kaun. Kaun who would end up playing 25 games in 2015-16 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he never played for the OKC Thunder.

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