OKC Thunder Presser Season 51 (I think?)

[AngryBanana]

Last season was probably one of the best seasons I have had while managing this club. We went into the season looking to compete after being a middling team, at best, the past few seasons. We had a good feeling about the core going into last season. We though fresh off of a max contract, wade was ready to make that superstar leap. We also thought Oturu was due for a good TC after getting wrecked in the previous one. We also believed that Maker was out to make his all team Center position title not look like a fluke. So with that in mind we made moves through the year that netted us Ben Franklin, De'Aaron Fox, and bring back Clay Waters. The team we built, while not the flashiest team out there with Purples running around everywhere, was deep and even enough to give anyone fits. Sure enough, come playoff time, it did. We played Fox off the bench, in order to keep him healthy and to plug him in all over the court. This strategy allowed us to sweep the Wizards, beat the Clippers, and then get past the Lakers. I was very confident going into the Championship that I could finally get it done. Then came OG at SF for the Spurs. It was a tough matchup where the Spurs just had the better team, and I am happy for them for winning it. Just getting to the championships was enough for me to call it a winning season last year.

After amassing so many talented players, I had to pay the tax man heavily. Due to this, the aging of Fox and Franklin, and not wanting to get a repeater bill. I decided to have a gap year of sorts. I declined all the options I could, and then saved up enough for a Max slot. I tried to use it in RFA, to get He Hot, which he agreed to a deal. However the Heat chose that he was too good to not let leave south beach. Then we tried to go after the big fish of UFA. No luck. After this, we decided to sign value players that could be developed, and some older vets who can still produce but on a smaller wage. The contracts we signed allow us to be flexible going forward in case we decide that there is another big fish out there for us we would like to add to this team.

I think we will still be a good team this season, having a good TC where Wade went Purple and Oturu and Maker went net positive instead of negative. I see us fighting for a playoffs spot and if we get lucky, maybe the division. All in all, it is a gap year, but we still know that we have a solid core right now in Wade, Maker, and Oturu which should help us be a hard opponent most nights.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Why was Maker put on the trade block as opposed to the older Otoru? Also, do you view this gap year as a chance to pull a T-Wolves and refocus your team around your franchise player, or as an opportunity to bide your time until the next opportunity to snap up a win-now vet pops up, much like the Chicago Bulls?

[AngryBanana]

Random Reporter: Why was Maker put on the trade block as opposed to the older Otoru? Also, do you view this gap year as a chance to pull a T-Wolves and refocus your team around your franchise player, or as an opportunity to bide your time until the next opportunity to snap up a win-now vet pops up, much like the Chicago Bulls?

1. Oturu was on the block before Maker. He was also way more gettable than Maker, but I had no buyers initially. So I threw maker out to see what that would produce. Both are still available, but it will be harder to get either (especially Maker)
2. This gap year was structured more to the T-wolves style, or making sure we set ourselves up around Wade as well as possible. It was also a bulls in a way, where we also have ample cap and resources to get a guy if he comes available.


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[false9]

You've closed the door on one era. With the benefit of hindsight, is there one transaction or playoff gameplan move you wish you could have done differently?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: After putting together a team that got you closer than you'd ever been to winning a ring, was there any effort to try to get back players like Fox, Franklin, and Waters? Why or why not?

[AngryBanana]

You've closed the door on one era. With the benefit of hindsight, is there one transaction or playoff gameplan move you wish you could have done differently?

I’m, I’m still not sure how I could have beaten the Spurs. However, I do wonder how the team would have done if I traded for Leiker instead of Fox


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[drkavarga]

After losing in the Championship round last season do you feel that your team can return and win it all this season?

[K-100]

what position do you think you will need to target next as you build around Wade/Maker?

[AngryBanana]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: After putting together a team that got you closer than you'd ever been to winning a ring, was there any effort to try to get back players like Fox, Franklin, and Waters? Why or why not?

Some thought went into it for sure. I held the bird rights on Fox and Franklin I believe, so if I wanted I could bring them back. I just decided that it was not worth the investment. While the three main cogs who left (waters, fox, and franklin) were outstanding, they were all getting older and probably not lead me much further than what we got last year. And while my team got older teams like the Spurs were just going to get better.

[AngryBanana]

After losing in the Championship round last season do you feel that your team can return and win it all this season?

no

[AngryBanana]

what position do you think you will need to target next as you build around Wade/Maker?

Depends on what is open in the market I think. Im thinking a guard or wing though.

[Eazy P]

With Wade and Maker being your centerpieces and young what is your timeline to make another run for a title

[AngryBanana]

With Wade and Maker being your centerpieces and young what is your timeline to make another run for a title

Im hoping next season is a good year for us.

[TheSyndicate]

What comment do you have that the Omega Conference should really be renamed the 'Beta' Conference?

[AngryBanana]

What comment do you have that the Omega Conference should really be renamed the 'Beta' Conference?

What's a beta? Like the fish? Cool then!

[greepleairport]

Having invested in Maker's training, I think it's safe to say you're staying put with him. Do you think you'll max bet him in his RFA?

[TheSyndicate]

What comment do you have that the Omega Conference should really be renamed the 'Beta' Conference?

What's a beta? Like the fish? Cool then!

Totally!!

[SuperDog]

So, who do you think will win a 2-on-2 match between Wade/Maker and Hayes/Addington?

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[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com; You have money in the bank. Is this part of your strategy? Are you open to add more players to your roster?

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[AngryBanana]

Having invested in Maker's training, I think it's safe to say you're staying put with him. Do you think you'll max bet him in his RFA?

He will without a doubt be maxed by myself, or someone else. Doesn't mean if the right deal doesn't come along I won't move him.

[AngryBanana]

So, who do you think will win a 2-on-2 match between Wade/Maker and Hayes/Addington?

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The Thunder for three reasons

1. Wade is the best player of them all
2. Im not in tax hell
3. I beat the Cavs and 76ers regularly, so your players are not much of a match

[AngryBanana]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com; You have money in the bank. Is this part of your strategy? Are you open to add more players to your roster?

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Yeah, it was part of my failed attempt to get a max player this season. Now I have moved on and will probably sell my cap space off for points at this point for the season.