Sadly, I stand corrected because while looking for the Bosh celebration I described above.. I actually found this video of him celebrating in the Heat locker room. This is real. This is REALLY how this guy acts. I'm at a loss for words, and that doesn't happen often. I feel this is totally forced and awkward, I wonder if he thinks this was legit or what. Either way.. guy is a clown. Clown celebration, bro.
The next thing I did was to look at OKC Thunder trade options. Why? I dunno, because I like the NBA Trade Machine and all the talk about the Harden and Ibaka contracts coming up. First thing is I'm not sure these guys really need to even make a trade nor do I think they will. They made the finals with a bunch of kids, 2 of whom can go for 40 on any given night and are locked in for the next few years. They have an up-and-coming PF, 6th man of the year, and an alleged good defensive C who was playing through an injury. They have an energy big off the bench (Collison), a long defensive stopper (Thabo) and a back-up PG that was way better than Derek Fisher coming back off an injury (Maynor). So why would I want to go on NBA trade machine and make a trade for them? Well, they didn't win the finals did they? (I know the Heat didn't make any major changes either and they went back the next year to get the job done)
My main reasons for doing that would be the contract situations of Ibaka and Harden, despite Harden's recent comments about a dynasty being built, will he stay? What about Serge Ibaka, a former 24th selection? I thought he could have played a lot more against the Heat and was kind of surprised by what I thought was limited playing time when he was a good/better match-up in the paint than an injured Kendrick Perkins. Ibaka is young, energetic, blocks a lotta shots.. at one point I did call him Serge Iblocka during the playoffs, and he has a decent mid-range jumper.. he can also put the ball on the deck and get to the tin. These will be two very tough signs for the Thunder.. do they go over the luxury tax or stay under? If they stay under it how so.. they'll have to let one or maybe even worse, both go, unless they give a hometown discount.
Biggest OKC need: Scott Brooks loves Russ Westbrook at the PG and he's the coach, so that's all that matters.. but could you imagine a true PG, Russ, Durant, Ibaka and Perkins? Or PG, Russ, Durant, Thabo, Ibaka/Perkins? You'd be a tad undersized in the back court but it wouldn't be anything dangerously bad for today's NBA standards.. plus, you make up for it with a 6'11 SF, 6'11 PF, and a 7 ft C. A PG and I think another long, athletic wing could be huge gets for the Thunder.
What did I do? I went onto ESPN's trade machine and dinked around for a little bit looking to shed a few contracts, which was either Westbrook's with the PPP (poison pill provision) which makes him difficult to trade, Harden.. not because of his salary but what could become of his salary, and Perkins. I try to put Perkins in almost every deal based on my preferences of salary/skill set.
Hawks: Send Russell Westbrook/Kendrick Perkins for Josh Smith/Zaza
--Put Harden into the starting line-up.. Harden, Thabo, Durant, Ibaka, and Josh Smith. Ultimately, you lose size and your starting PG that can get any shot he wants and fits the offense perfectly (that will be the case in most trades). What does it do? Well, you get rid of Perkins long-term contract and diffuse anything going with Russ at the PG spot. Harden can't be worse than he was in the Finals and can step in and handle the ball (ran PG often anyway) for the team. You add a very capable defender, an athletic body and shot blocker that can crash the boards. That being said, Smith can be very temperamental and who knows how he'd fit in being the 3rd option on offense.
--Put Harden into the starting line-up.. Harden, Thabo, Durant, Ibaka, and Josh Smith. Ultimately, you lose size and your starting PG that can get any shot he wants and fits the offense perfectly (that will be the case in most trades). What does it do? Well, you get rid of Perkins long-term contract and diffuse anything going with Russ at the PG spot. Harden can't be worse than he was in the Finals and can step in and handle the ball (ran PG often anyway) for the team. You add a very capable defender, an athletic body and shot blocker that can crash the boards. That being said, Smith can be very temperamental and who knows how he'd fit in being the 3rd option on offense.
Celtics: This is probably my favorite thought... Rondo to the Thunder and they can keep Russ. Harden/Perkins + pick(s) to the Celtics. Now, I get it.. the Celtics just traded Perkins to the Thunder.. well, KG didn't like that. Pierce didn't like that. Now, he has a chance to go back and play for them.. maybe it entices KG to come back. The Celtics have to look to make a play with Rondo/Pierce being the two guns back.. here they can add a starting defensive C and a SG/PG + pick(s) I'd imagine to end it. Maybe the 2012 1st rounder? Imagine sliding Rondo, an incredibly gifted passer/defender/rebounder next to Westbrook AND KD?! Rondo, Russ, KD, Thabo, Ibaka. You might have problems with some size here and a capable backup C is definitely needed.. but the speed and athletic ability of this team would put anybody to shame. They could be very disruptive on offense and defense and be hard to keep up with for 48 minutes. Somebody get me Danny Ainge and Sam Presti on the phone! I'd think Boston would have SOME interest in this adding a young scorer that compliments Pierce, a defensive C that Pierce and KG like (and hope he resigns) and a 1st round draft pick. Am I way off on this?
Bulls: Couldn't find a suitable way to get Luol Deng that would sorta make sense to both teams. This would be interesting to look further into, however.
Cavs: I'd like Varajeo but that would take Perkins/Harden and that's not a good idea.
Pacers: It'd take Harden/Perkins to get Granger which I don't think is terrible, actually. Granger is there for a few more years.. Perkins is insurance for Hibbert (but if Hibbert stays trade would be off) Pacers get to add a young scoring wing that can create on his own, which they struggle with at times. Thunder would add another tall, athletic wing that can defend, rebound and shoot the ball. Your line-up could then be: Russ, Granger, KD, Thabo, Ibaka. Little small upfront, but you're longer in the back court in this situation, plus you have 2 solid wing defenders in Granger and Thabo.
Bucks: Harden/Ibaka for Udrih/Jennings. Why? Because I'm a Bucks fan. Duh! There are some ways to get Brandon Jennings to the Thunder, but I don't think the Bucks would do it nor do I think he's a "true" PG.. nor would he even be an upgrade.
Knicks: Could Harden/Perkins get Tyson Chandler? Yes, according to the trade machine.. bad news is that the Thunder would be losing a HUUUUUUUUUUGE scorer off the bench and have nowhere else on the roster to get those points. The good news is they'd get better at the C position by a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuugge amount. Sadly, in the end it isn't worth it for the Thunder and no point in looking further because the Knicks don't have any scoring to offset the Harden addition.. and Zeke Thomas is gone so Thabo, Maynor, and Perkins wouldn't get the job done.
Magic: Came up with this one the other day.. little interesting I think. We know the Magic probably are going to deal Dwight Howard. I don't think the Thunder would really want him as a rental, you don't trade a potential dynasty for a 1-year run.. but if you did? Howard/Earl Clark for Perkins, Westbrook and Cook. Would the Magic do it? Eh.. they get a defensive C and one of the league's up and coming guards as well as a 3-pt shooter.. They love shooters. Basically is a huge downgrade at C, a franchise player, worth the risk of a up and coming athletic guard? Maybe. They'd control Perkins and Westbrook for a few more years and if they could snake a 1st round pick out of it... meanwhile, the Thunder would, of course, move Harden to the starting line-up. Harden, Thabo, KD, Ibaka, and Howard. Yeah, read that again.
76ers: Perkins/Harden for Iggy. Again, I'm losing scoring off the bench and the 76ers apparently want to move into the top 7ish for Iggy.. so trading a starting C and a 6th man of the year for him doesn't make much sense. 76ers don't have much with the roster right now so picks would have to be involved for the Thunder. Perkins replaces Hawes. Harden becomes a scorer that can help Holiday and Turner. What would Iggy do for the Thunder? Eh.. he can do things (defend, play off the ball, play point-forward, score, rebound, and.. again.. defend). He went for 12-5-6 last year.. I actually think that he's a very good player but at his price tag and what they'd have to give up I'm not sure the Thunder do it. I like his size/skill set for the Thunder though.. Russ, Thabo, Iggy, KD, and Ibaka. Again, you're small up front but long and athletic in the backcourt. That could be a fun team to watch.
I'm only going through the East for now.. I'm not sure I'd want to trade Harden or Westbrook into the West. I'd be too worried they'd butcher me with revenge games.. Westbrook especially. Again, I don't think the Thunder have to make a move nor do I think they should instigate a move, but if some of these trades came up.. Magic/Celtics.. don't you at least have to say, "We're listening."?
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