Thunder general manager Sam Presti, right, talks with NBA scouts at OU’s game with Davidson. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
NORMAN — Thunder general manager Sam Presti trusts his staff when it comes to scouting, but there’s still nothing like your own two eyes.
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When the opportunity arises, Presti will scout in-person. Such an opportunity arose Tuesday night when Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin and Davidson’s Stephen Curry met at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.
Last season with the Seattle SuperSonics, Presti saw "a bunch” of Pacific 10 Conference games, which was loaded with NBA draft choices.
The Thunder drafted UCLA guard Russell Westbrook with the No. 4 overall pick and later acquired Washington State guard Kyle Weaver, after he was drafted No. 38 overall by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Other Pac-10 talent Presti scoped out last season were USC guard O.J. Mayo (No. 3 overall), UCLA center Kevin Love (No. 5), Stanford center Brook Lopez (No. 10), Stanford forward Robin Lopez (No. 15), California forward Ryan Anderson (No. 21), UCLA forward Luc Mbah a Moute (No. 37), Oregon guard Malik Hairston (No. 48), California center DeVon Hardin (No. 50) and Oregon forward Maarty Leunen (No. 54).
The Big 12 had nine players drafted last year, but the pickings won’t be nearly as plentiful this year.
Griffin, a 6-foot-10, 252-pound sophomore, is widely considered the league’s No. 1 target come next June.
Curry, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior, is slated a top-10 pick.
On Dec. 4, the Sooners will host USC freshman Demar DeRozan, projected as a top-5 pick, and power forward Taj Gibson at Lloyd Noble. Look for Presti to be on hand for that game as well.
On Dec. 20, OU plays Virginia Commonwealth and point guard Eric Maynor in the All-College Classic at the Ford Center.
In addition to Griffin, possible Big 12 draftees include Texas’ Damion James, Baylor’s Curtis Jerrells, Leo Lyons of Missouri, Josh Carter of Texas A&M and OU’s Willie Warren.
Tulsa junior center Jerome Jordan also has been projected as a late first-rounder.
With the Thunder collecting more ping-pong balls by the minute for next year’s NBA Draft lottery, local fans wonder if Presti watched one, or possibly two future Thunder draft choices on Tuesday night.
Presti is not allowed to discuss the draft status of players, but smiled and shared a warning: "It’s so early. There is a lot of time between now and the draft,” Presti said.
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Keep your heads up, you still have history behind you, You have a NBA trophy,retired jerseys,ex coach in the hall of fame remember all the history you brought with you from the SEATTLE SUPERSONICS. Be proud!!
Pretty sad when the Seattle fans can only talking trash after losing an NBA team, not winning something worthwile.
Presti better look closer this next season. Find the player that plays the position is he is looking for in the draft.
8 players asked to be traded if Avery Johnson was the coach in Dallas this season, Devin Harris who is headed to the Allstar game was traded because he could not run Avery's system and Avery will want big money.
If the Thunder can get the Little General as coach that would be a coup for them. Just be patient folks if you watched what was going on last year and could see beyond the smoke then you would know what a major rebuilding project that this is going to be.
Guards and Center! Thats they need. True Point guard for Kevin and shooting guard(3%). Move Kevin Durant on SF, because this is his NATURAL POSITION. Green on 4 or fron bench like PF and SF! And most important pick.........Avery Johnson!!!
This young team isn't going to win many games this year but they're a blast to watch. The potential is there. At times they look great. it is really refreshing to see the great crowd support even though they're not winning. It's a testament to OKC and the excellent fans there.
108-88...trounced by the only other team in the league to have a one game win record...I hope you Okies are proud of this pathetic excuse for a bassa'ball team....
Ahahahahaha, sure enough 2+ minutes to go in the 3rd quarter and all of a sudden the new NBA joke is trailing the Clippers by 15. Go Thunder!!! ahahahahaha Enjoy!
OH GEEEZ, the Clippers are playing the Thunder tonight. Is TNT carrying this game? I don't wanna miss it. This is the friggin game of the weak!!! I heard the Blunder is off to an early lead. Smart money say's that the Clippers overtake them before it's all said and done.
Presti wouldn't know talent if it hit in the face come June he will probably draft some guy from Europe because I have feeling he is going to your version of Wally Walker when he was the GM when the Blunder were in Seattle as the Sonics
I HATE OKC, Oklahoma City - Nov 19, 2008 at 2:24 pm
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Thumbs up & thumbs down 11/19/2008 THUMBS UP To one of the busiest weeks in state history. The Thunder has three home games in five days. OU has three home basketball games in six days. OSU...
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Presti better look closer this next season. Find the player that plays the position is he is looking for in the draft.
8 players asked to be traded if Avery Johnson was the coach in Dallas this season, Devin Harris who is headed to the Allstar game was traded because he could not run Avery's system and Avery will want big money.
Wait....let me guess....a fellow UW grad, right?
Sometimes my degree from the Univ. of Washington isn't worth the paper it's written on.
Actually Okie, it's "that's."
Calling someone out for spelling and you can't do it yourself.
What an idiot.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO
go soni...err nevermind.
Thats victim. If you are going to discuss school systems you should attend one first.
ROFLMAO
I meant that we weren't going to support them with OUR MONEY!
http://newsok.com/every-game-is-a-must-win-for-thunder/article/3323226?custom_click=headlines_widget
Obviously another victem of the Seattle public school system....
He's such a loser, I'd be willing to bet that he's a Univ. of Wash. football player.