Hawks/Thunder

ATL confirms.

Josh Smith was actually contributing in every category outside of scoring ironically, 7 boards, 4 assists and roughly 1 blk & stls per game! Not many players are that versatile and our scheme worked regarding limiting his shot attempts. Kemba has been dynamic off the bench and is an early candidate for 6MOY, outplaying Parker on most nights.

That said this is a "less is more" move in true NYK style. Kemba/Smith are high usage and while I knew that going in...the emergence of Cousins meant I need to be careful with shot distribution. Lowry is a downgrade from Walker and in the middle of his prime (Kemba hasn't hit his yet) but he gives us what we need from our 3rd guard - spacing, defense and playmaking. Kemba is taking 0.3 3PA and hasn't hit any this season. He's a slashing, drive and kick PG similar to Parker. Lowry is a volume 3 point shooter on good 3P% which is needed given our team is built around Cousins.

Outside of scoring there isn't a huge difference between Hibbert and Howard per36. Howard is a bit better on the boards but outside of that they are very similar ratings wise. Cousin's is quietly having an All-CSL Defensive team impact night in and night out...adding a top 3 defensive center who is putting up 13/6 on 50 FG% in 22.6 minutes gives us an identity. Defense and post play. Hibbert - 7'2, 288 lbs and Cousins - 6'11, 302 lbs will be tough for opposing frontcourts to deal with on both ends. Cousins will stay at PF and Hibbert will replace Okafor as the starting center.

Offensively I hope that Parker will up his usage and revert back to his allstar from last season.

Good dealing OKC, and goodluck. Kemba/Brewer/George/Smith/Howard is one hell of a lineup.