OKC Thunder In the news: Draft shuffle, LeBron super team denial, Russ more MJ like

Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Saturday, June 17 featuring topical daily news on your favorite team and the NBA.

As frustrating as the veil of secrecy around OKC Thunder prospect workouts is, perhaps Sam Presti has the wisest strategy. With just five more sleeps until the 2017 NBA Draft the typical rumor mill is afoot.

Rumors of potential NBA Draft shuffle atop ladder:

Every season lower seeded teams vie for access to the top draft picks, but rarely do the picks exchange hands. Making this season particularly interesting is the Celtics GM Danny Ainge is anxious to add a proven talent (Jimmy Butler, Gordon Hayward, Paul George)  rather than select an unproven prospect. Adding intrigue to this situation is both the Lakers and Sixers desire to snag Markelle Fultz. Expect this narrative to escalate right up to the moment Adam Silver steps to Barclay’s podium Thursday to utter ‘with the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the ….

Des Bieler ad Matt Bonesteel of the Washington Post outline the rumored offers of the Lakers and Sixers to obtain the coveted top pick.

"Wojnarowski elaborated further, noting that the potential deal involves the Sixers’ No. 3 overall pick in 2017 and package to include future first, per sources. He also reported that the discussions are far enough down the road that Fultz could be in Philly for a meeting as soon as Saturday.Lakers also vying for Fultz at No. 1?Jonathan Givony of Draft Express is reporting that Fultz “murdered” (in a good way) his workout with the Lakers Thursday, and that team is also now very interested in trading up to the top spot to nab the offensively gifted guard. Givony speculated that Los Angeles might offer the Celtics forward Julius Randle, the seventh overall pick in 2014, plus their No. 2 pick this year. The added he was told Josh Jackson’s second workout with the Lakers “did not go well at all.”"

Stay tuned as this drama continues to percolate.

LeBron James and Draymond Green super team battle:

Following the Cavaliers loss to the Warriors LeBron James referred to the Warriors as a “super team” and denied ever having played for one. Interesting statement by the King.

Draymond Green responded on Warriors parade day by calling out James for his ridiculous statement:

The game of verbal tag didn’t end here as LeBron James just couldn’t leave well enough alone striking back with examples of super teams formed prior to his NBA tenure. James pointed to Gary Payton (35) and Karl Malone  (40) joining Shaq and Kobe. And Charles Barkley (33) joining Olajuwon (34) and Drexler’s (33) Rockets. Of note, not one player is under 30 that James mentioned, nor were they in their primes.

Comparatively, when James left for Miami he and Bosh were 26 and Wade was 29. When he returned back to Cleveland he joined fellow number one draft picks Irving (22), Bennett (22) and Wiggins (19) and fourth pick Tristan Thompson ( 23). Subsequently AB and Wiggins were packaged to get Love (26) who was selected fifth in his draft class.

The problem is Green has a stronger argument because they boast no top draft picks even Durant (2) wasn’t selected first by Seattle.  Curry (7), Klay Thompson (11) and Green (35)  form the majority of the Hampton lineup.

Certainly the argument won’t go away but Green is definitely winning the battle.

Westbrook killer instinct on par with MJ.

Arguably, LeBron Raymone James is the rarest narwhal the League has ever witnessed. At 19 he possessed an NFL player’s body and Wayne Gretzky’s vision. His super human strength and power was only surpassed by his blazing speed.  Fourteen years, three championships and copious records later his failures are analyzed as much as his successes.

Yet, James inability to let sleeping dogs like the super team argument may be at the crux of the matter. To wit, his Halloween party shade set the standard for pettiness. The King’s own soundbites offer constant fodder to critique. His most recent larceny (never part of a super team) is inane. Besides why is James so salty? Isn’t he the one who rallied for stars to have this decision making power?

Ultimately, it’s why old school purists of the game have a hard time warming up to James. There are a myriad of reasons beyond the ‘decision’ to dismiss his GOAT chase (for now at least). Avoiding clutch shots in the biggest games and sub .500 Finals win percentage. James seeming overt involvement in Cavaliers and League directives is another.

It’s also why Westbrook is the player fans draw MJ comparisons to. Jordan’s talent was other worldly like LBJ. But, what drew a lot of fans to him was his compete level and killer instinct.

Ben Rohrback of Yahoo Sports elaborates:

"Following Durant’s decision to join the Warriors, Jordan told Complex magazine of Westbrook, “Thirty years ago, that’s me. The attitude, trying to prove myself, showing so much passion for the game of basketball. You see it in his play. You can tell he loves the game, he plays with energy and flair.” And then the two teamed up on a commercial branded with the slogan, “Some run, some make runways.”Anyone who watched Westbrook play basketball this season could see he doesn’t just have a killer instinct; he is trying to gut you on every single possession. This approach resulted in a historic triple-double campaign, clinched with a 50-point performance that was capped with a buzzer-beater, eliminated the Denver Nuggets from playoff contention and meant nothing to his own team’s seeding."

TI Draft Prospect previews:

Thunderous Intentions scribes continue to roll out prospect previews in anticipation of Thursday June 22.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

This years deep crop is chock full of point guards and big men. Given the absence of small forwards interest in Josh Jackson is obviously high. Moreover, many pundits feel Jackson will ascend to the greatest stardom in this class. Ironically, the roster needs of the teams holding the top two picks aren’t necessarily for a point guard.  Therefore, as the top article suggests a shuffle of these teams to position themselves to draft Jackson is becoming a growing narrative. TI analyzes the Kansas freshman.

"Josh Jackson is a top notch energetic athlete with unlimited potential. In the current era of the NBA, someone of Jackson’s ilk who can guard multiple positions, be slotted into various roles and has the potential to excel on both sides of the hardwood is a highly desirable asset.Jackson’s defensive chops are already well above average. His freak athleticism is a contributing factor, but there is so much more to Jackson’s defense. He can defend the perimeter due to his speed, lateral quickness and fluidity. Yet, he’s equally capable of defending interior defense based on his quick hands, high basketball I.Q and don’t discount the sheer tenacity and grit he plays with."

Stay connected with TI as were rolling out the top 60 prospects (using Draft Express ranking) prior to Draft Night as well as the Editor’s Annual Mock Draft.

That’s if for OKC Thunder – In the news, June17. Enjoy your Saturday, and we’ll meet you back here tomorrow.