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Yes, R.J. Hunter can hit game-winning three-point shots, but the game of basketball is so much more than that. He still needs major work to become a solid player in the NBA, and the Oklahoma City Thunder just don’t have that time. They would be foolish to select Hunter in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Thunder are not lacking shooters, but rather the ability to move the ball, as well as pressure the defense into turnovers. Hunter doesn’t fit either of these needs, so it would be pointless to draft him. Shooting from deep may look sexy on the court, but it has never proven to be a philosophy that can win championships. It takes tons of hard work and determination. That’s what OKC should go after in June, not a player who runs up and down the court and makes long distance shots on occasion.
Hunter would be a terrible fit simply because the entire team basically has the same skill set already. Nothing would change. They need to change. OKC needs to look at a rookie who possesses the qualities of defense, attitude and leadership — not a college player who made a name for himself just because he hit a few game-winners in the NCAA tournament. The Thunder shouldn’t waste a good first-round draft pick on a pointless project.
Samuel Martell is Oklahoma City’s beat writer at www.RantSports.com. To stay connect, ‘follow’ him on Twitter, ‘like’ him on Facebook, or ‘add’ him to your network on Google.
