2011 NBA Mock Draft: James Harden Likely in Starting Lineup, Thunder Need Bench
If you watched this year's playoffs, particularly the Dallas Mavericks series, it was obvious that James Harden is a legitimate star and should not be playing off the bench.
This man needs to be in the starting rotation and playing five to 10 more minutes a night than he was last season.
One thing that I like about Harden is his ability to distribute. With him recording assists and running the offense, it allows Russell Westbrook to not always have to cram himself into the point guard role and instead play more like a shooting guard.
With Westbrook, Harden and Kevin Durant, the Thunder are loaded with scoring in their guards and small forward. Down low, they have a great defensive rotation of Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammed.
What the Thunder will need next year is a new scorer on the bench. Yes, Eric Maynor has his moments, but Thabo Sefolosha will be used for defensive purposes and Nate Robinson, well, he may be too busy peeing on a building outside (I doubt Sam Presti will keep Robinson around after the public urination incident).
What becomes difficult, is finding who can be this scorer off the bench. Durant isn't off the court much at all, Westbrook's bench minutes go to Maynor and Harden's will be in the hands of Sefolosha. They will need a versatile player who can check in for multiple positions.
Safe Pick: Malcolm Lee. Lee can come in and play a little point guard while also being a scoring threat at shooting guard. It also continues the Thunder's streak of getting great production from former UCLA players.
High Risk/High Reward: I like the idea of Marquette's Jimmy Butler or VCU's Jamie Skeen. Both can play small forward and power forward.
Intriguing Option: Chandler Parsons. The Thunder could use a sharp shooting small forward type off the bench. Think a younger, more effective Peja Stojakovic.
Mike Fontenot Brett Pill Pat Burrell Jhan Marinez Anibal Sanchez John Baker
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