The OKC Thunder Drafted Him and Everyone Got MAD

[@riroballs]

Were you MAD when the Thunder drafted Cason Wallace over Lively? 🤔

[@Vickypabz]

No actually. He’s a big help. No complaints 😅

[@ryanb7186]

I wanted a few other guys, but they were already off the board. I would have preferred someone with more size, but I knew he was at least a good player, and it's hard to go wrong with someone like that later in the lottery. He has been significantly better than I thought so far as a role player.

[@url0veang3l]

No. Had a feeling he was better than advertised.

[@postfade918]

I made a post on FB draft night saying we werent drafting a big. Most people were disagreeing then slamming presti. I was defending them all night lol

[@rvalens2]

@riroballs Yes, I was MAD because I wanted the Utah Jazz to draft him! 😅 Oh well, maybe we will get him in a trade for Lauri Markkanen. Would you be willing to give him up in a trade that lands OKC - Markkanen?

[@deven7345]

Longtime okc fan. I no longer question any move presti makes. I might not understand it at first, but I go with it.

[@billyjames8964]

Facts

[@richardlee7488]

Presti is the best talent evaluator in the league and it’s not even close

[@yoam7859]

Same, I was so mad we didn’t pick Whitmore but seems to have worked

[@That1Thunderfan]

Literally came to the comments to say this 😂

[@abhayb.6289]

​@@richardlee7488he drafted Steven Adam's over giannis

[@superphi]

Presti has a really good eye for talent, it’s kinda unbelievable how many good players he drafted

[@riroballs]

💪

[@XYRYX1]

Cason is an excellent player and much better prospect many believe. Couple of things I enjoy the most: 1. He wants to understand the game, is always reading angles as an off ball player and understands he can have an impact by just moving a couple of steps aside from standing in the corner for example. 2. When he is receiving a pass that is going to let fly, he IMMEDIATELY jumps. His catch and shoot or in the dunker spot layup or push shot goes off very very quick thanks to starting the jumper while receiving the pass. He doesn’t need to settle or get a whole shot motion going. 3. he is an absolute terror on the defensive end and has patience, the footwork and ballance to manage his opponent. He also has no problem at all playing physical and is a very underrated athlete. 4. He is completely unfazed if his opponent beats him. He either recovers immediately or just moves on to the next play. There is absolutely nothing that brings him out of his comfort zone. You’ll never see him hanging his head if he‘s beaten. He knows he was there or maybe was late and moves on tongue next possession. 5. He seems like a very humble guy who doesn’t need the ball in his hands (see the usage) and just plays team ball. ONCE he earns his starting level minutes (might happen soon with Giddey hurt) I‘m absolutely excited to seen what he can do when his confidence level rises and he isn’t only trying to fit in (which is not a knock, like Presti said after drafting him) but if you let him loose a bit more and give him a little bit more responsibility. Dude is a monster in the making and seems like an absolute nice guy who only wants to help his team win and does just that. #Thunderup! ⚡️

[@Jjjhbyhjbgv]

Cason surround by shooters. He only gone get better. Shout out Sam Presti and the entire OKC ORGANIZATION

[@riroballs]

💪

[@UnlikelyMJ]

I appreciate the amount of effort you put in making your video

[@riroballs]

Thanks a lot man!

[@cjaygorospe]

I wanted us to pick Cason at 12 and Sam decided to trade up for him and get him at 10. I believed many people underestimated his offensive capabilities and his defensive impact. I think a lot of people wanted Lively because they were unsure of running Chet at the 5. Obviously looking at how this season has played out so far, Chet is showing that he is able matchup against the best big men of the league.

[@riroballs]

Also wanted us to pick Cason at 12. Didn't expect us to trade up for him at 10

[@mentallyinsane3344]

​@@riroballsapparently it happened because toronto heard the buzz with okc and wallace and had a deal with the magic to trade up to 11 to take him over okcs 12th pick. And well okc had an answer to that. Ngl, he'd have fit toronto well too

[@riroballs]

yeah man. Cason Scottie and OG together 😬

[@AD-oy8nm]

29TH in rebounding though. i dont think chet is a typical 5. he's more of 3-4 hybrid in my opinion. i love cason and i'm happy we got him would't change a thing, but hopefully there's a rebounder available. or the thunder can gang rebound over the last half of the season just takes some effort

[@meljay337]

This org is the future. Great front office moves by getting shai drafting well and a great Coach to run the system.

[@ryanb7186]

Giddey looked like he had a bad ankle sprain, so Cason may be starting for a while. We might get to see if he is ready to take the next step.

[@riroballs]

Hopefully it's nothing serious 🙏

[@WarrenPuffet]

Cason is the better fit for the Thunder offensively and defensively. Giddey is a great playmaker but that’s not needed when the entire team can playmake.

[@messityler4121]

okc scout department is probably the best scout team ever... and im not mad

[@riroballs]

For real

[@LouisGreenGplus]

I think Cason will be the next Kentucky guard to elevate to star level.

[@riroballs]

💪

[@chuckcheesy88]

I don't understand why everyone wants Josh Giddey to be traded.. kid is still in his 3rd season and is a special type of positionless marvel on the floor

[@Wrestle_Kingdom]

Because he a bad fit and hasn’t improve any of his flaws since his rookie year giddey a solid player but also a very flawed player and especially since he isn’t that valuable to the team

[@pattonjones9423]

@@Wrestle_Kingdomnot true. He is a good fit atp as okc’s starting 5 has the best chemistry in the nba of any 5 imo by a mile. Also last season he got up to 17/7/8 on 32% from 3 which is major improvements, now he has a slow start to the start of his 3rd szn most likely do to off court issues messing his focus, and everyone is just ready to trade him. Don’t forget he’s the one who had a 36 pt triple double in our elimination game last year. He is a VERY important piece to our core

[@Wrestle_Kingdom]

@@pattonjones9423 we have to stop using one game as an example of why players are good,okc fans are still doing the same thing with tre Mann and poku one game does not mean anything Yes giddey averages look good but early in the season he wasn’t good he improved towards the 2nd half which really was just tough shot making He improve the 3”s yes but he has other flaws such as being a inconsistent finisher,can’t create separation,can’t get to the free Throw line,still one dimensional on offense which are flaws he still has I do think for this season we should keep giddey, long term is a different story plus I don’t understand how y’all think this is gonna translate to a actual playoff series since giddey is just a worst Ben Simmons, yes Giddey may be affected by the off court issues but also his struggles also comes form his flaws which okc fans constantly ignore and gloss over

[@georgevarden1291]

​@jalonmoore481 Giddy needs to come off the bench as okc Primary 2nd unit ball handler.

[@raymcnitt9054]

Cason is one of my favorite bench players. Never been mad about him being drafted. But always been a Thunder fan💯💯. Just trust Presti since the sga move ngl💯😂. Teams been doing stuff since then

[@issjay5409]

Presti is waiting on a particular big, he knows who he wants . Trust

[@ctoaun23]

Yep. And he has a LOT of shots at it.

[@deancoleman6098]

Same with Giddey. I was so happy when we drafted Giddey because I knew and trusted presti.

[@riroballs]

💪

[@Itsjustlikemagic]

Presti always knows what he is doing in the draft. Don’t forget this guy took Josh Giddey who was relatively unknown at the time and turned him into the next great playmaker in the league. He also ignored all the hype surrounding Jabari Smith from the scouts and took Chet at #2 because he knows a future HOF when he sees one.

[@jahcode6132]

Hindsight is always 20/20 and you never know how guys are gonna turn out, but Jabari being seen as better than Chet is lookin pretty crazy right about now. Not sayin I had any idea either, I wasn't high on either Jabari or Chet but I was clearly wrong about at least one of those guys.

[@charlescohen6140]

Next up is Ousmane. Just turned 20 and has everything to become a big star. Thanks

[@riroballs]

Facts! Super high ceiling

[@charlescohen6140]

Agreed. He looked different last night. He is so talented but like most 19 year-olds has been timid. Another really good sign is Josh has played well lately. I think his situation has affected him. Just turned 21, Cason just turned 20. What do you see realistically in the draft if OKC gets only to 9-15? From what I’ve seen at those points Clingan (who will probably go before then,) Dillingham who is fearless and a blur, and in the possible bigs Missi from Baylor and Bradshaw. @@riroballs

[@riroballs]

Clingan is a solid big. I think he's really gonna fit with our exisiting core well. Nikola Topic and Izan Almansa are nice international players to watch out for imo

[@charlescohen6140]

From what I’ve seen Topic is not a power and I like Almanza but if Ousmane comes on Sam will have to pull a rabbit out again. The one player in the league I would really make a pitch for, but I doubt he’s available, is Day’ron Sharpe with the Nets. I think he will be a star even though he doesn’t start right now. Since Poku isn’t playing and Tre could get something, it will be interesting, and Keyontae Johnson can play. Thanks. @@riroballs

[@randallsmith5631]

Dallas native & Kentucky Wlidcat 20 year old Cason Wallace's the best shooter & nicest hairdo on the Thunder.

[@riroballs]

hairdo is for real

[@justinmcelhaney5591]

As it sits i wouldn't mess with this roster rn I'd keep as is..remember last year they weren't even expected to win more then 22 games and they doubled that and missed the playoffs by 1 game..this year early predictions put them at 47 wins and 8th in the west and currently they're on pace to win 55 to 60 games and currently sit 2nd in the west..this team is scary good so no need to change anything

[@riroballs]

I mean I wouldn't mess up this roster as well

[@Wetrockstah2116]

As a UK fan i remember alot of fans saying cason couldn't shoot, and i was always on the other side of that, ive always said Cason had a smooth jump shot. And he is one of the best defensive guards ive ever seen come through Kentucky. He could be first team all defensive team if he was more aggressive.

[@riroballs]

All facts! he didn't play a primary creator role in Kentucky until later in his season but the skill set was always there

[@macmosley8250]

I was mad at first but not anymore LOL.. Dereck Lively just wouldn't fit our playstyle although he might be an All-star in a couple years

[@mikielsahagun6054]

Same here

[@NoahMcCarthy18]

Wasn’t mad at all about the draft pick. Good hard nosed defender with playmaking abilities and he’s a Kentucky product. Presti knows what he’s doing

[@riroballs]

Facts!

[@ianconness11]

I never really wanted them to take Lively. Doesn’t space the floor and I have had no doubts about Chet at the 5. Wasn’t thinking about Wallace as an option, but it’s worked out. So no regrets. Was mostly hoping for Taylor Hendricks at the time.

[@riroballs]

For sure. I wanted Jarace Walker in a trade up scenario and I wanted Cason if we stayed put at 12. Didn't expect us to trade up a couple spots to acquire him though. It was a win at the end of the day

[@ianconness11]

@@riroballs Walker would’ve also been cool. My thought with Hendricks is that he’d be a versatile defender at 6’9” that can shoot well. Gave me the feels of a discount Jabari Smith. Would’ve fit perfectly with this team at the 4.

[@chalaq803]

He'll end up starting

[@riroballs]

Time will tell.. but he's a star

[@ishyameru6232]

after the all-star break for sure

[@sstavo_]

Winning plays and defense >Big numbers

[@anthonythomassr9333]

I need to see winning more winning late game toughest late game defense a rim protector late game buckets

[@chitzzz1384]

I think rookies should be those on their first yr only If a player signed a.contract that should be his rookie year regardless.if he plays or not

[@illusive1181]

If they come outta my Kentucky Wildcats basketball team aka NBA U you better draft them.

[@gabrielcarrasco9078]

I dont see how this would be bad. Teams always need a backup PG. He has few weakneses. As a Spurs fan it sucks hes on OKC. But it was a good move.

[@ishyameru6232]

When Cason develops and Giddey is traded we're taking it all

[@riroballs]

I hope we never trade Giddey at all

[@jarredcombs7603]

Cason was the best pick they could’ve made. Cason is at the very least a great perimeter defender and shot maker. The biggest problem for him will be getting the opportunity to have the ball in his hands to create. He is at best the 4th option(SGA, JDub, Giddey, maybe even Micic). Lively would’ve been okay for the Thunder, but they desperately needed the shooting. They are 3rd in FG%, 2nd in 3PT% and 1st in FT%. They fine ally have the shooting they have needed for years, and the way Shai plays it makes them impossible to guard. Lively probably helps the 2nd worst rebounding team in the league, but Cason provides more than Lively. Shai doesn’t shoot 3s like Luka, and is as good 1 on 1 as he is in the pick and roll, and teams would go under until Shai makes enough 3s to penalize them. I’m not sure he could do that. He’s better with the pick and pop with Chet that opens the paint or frees of a 3. On draft night I wanted Cason, then Lively, but I thought Cason would be gone. He is the 6th man of a team battling for the 1 seed. How many rookies can say that? Throwing Chet in there as a “rookie” it’s amazing how this team is playing and what they’ll grow in to. I could see Giddey being expendable based on him needing the ball in his hands and he’s their 3rd option as a creator. I’m so excited to see what this teams becomes. Hopefully make the playoffs and at least win a series.

[@lyanreehan]

whos everyone? I been on cason

[@riroballs]

a whole lot of people man! Been on Cason since the mock drafts as well

[@akanekitaouji3415]

Draymond green 2.0 vibe

[@thomaslewis6613]

3 guarantees in life: death, taxes, Kentucky guards are great pickups

[@MrKwatts27]

🔥⚡️🔥⚡️

[@riroballs]

⚡

[@RMCOVERS.]

We didn’t need another guard I wish he would’ve dafter cam whitmore

[@okcthunder0872]

Josh giddey isn’t safe in our long term timeline and that’s nothing to do with that off court allegation, it’s just that we don’t actually need him we already have what he brings to the team in SGA Jdub and Chet, he’s not a consistent shooter, due to his poor shooting he’s a liability in spacing, I like giddey but he has to have the ball as a primary ball handler somewhere else, therefore Cason Wallace fixes those holes with what he does bring he just has to take the next step

[@kevinc.2062]

@@okcthunder0872 That would be a too small starting line up swapping Wallace and Giddey. I hope OKC drafts a wing 3 and D on the next nba draft and trade Giddey.

[@okcthunder0872]

@@kevinc.2062 it would be too small but it doesn’t help that our 6’8 PG is a secondary ball handler who’s pass first and hasn’t developed his shot yet who started off the season terrible granted that’s not new with Josh giddey he usually starts off bad anyway but this isn’t like last year, now we actually have expectations this season

[@okcthunder0872]

@@kevinc.2062 we are winning and we haven’t even made a win now trade yet, which is scary

[@ishyameru6232]

@@kevinc.2062 Cason 6'3 best defender in his class Dort 6'4 Literally called the "Dorture Chamber" Shai 6'6 6'11 wingspan. easily guard 1-3 1-4 depending on size and even then i'm trusting it 55 steals (#1 in Nba) 18 blocks (#1 for guards) 2nd in opponent Fg% 40.3% Dub 6'5 with a 7'2 wingspan he's played center for us he isn't some small PF Chet 7'1 future DPOY if not this year

[@leojones22]

Sam Presti is most probably upset and angry that the OKC Thunder are winning, because all that Presti wants to do is to accumulate first round picks like a little boy and not really about winning, Presti prob hoping Homlgren will get Presti a future boatload of first round picks. lol

[@bboohhmmaann]

I wanted Lively. Still wish we had him. No offense to Cason but Butler is a better player than him but OKC purposely got rid of Butler and sent him to Washington. I'm still hot behind that.