Melo at that time would have been a great fit. I don't consider that a bullet dodged. However, your point still stands. Chris Bosh, Kent Bazemore are the two biggest examples.
The reality is Westbrook played like utter garbage in nearly every 4th quarter when most games were winnable, while on the court with other starters. Yet here you are, blaming his bench. It doesn't get much straighter than that.
We'll agree to disagree. I don't think Melo would have been a good piece to make us a contender even then. The best he could do would be somewhat like Dwight did, winning us some good games but a net negative overall in his tenure here.
When I say "net negative" I didn't mean that he (or Dwight) would have negative contribution. I mean these guys would not produce more than the cost of having them -- "cost" include the assets we would need to get them if it was a trade, cap space they would occupy, and rotation spot they would occupy, which could be more effective with some other less costly pieces. And the cost they would exact in terms of locker room issues would be difficult to assess but nonetheless very real. Melo is not a guy known to be endearing to his teammates. His selfishness is known not only from the outside perspective of us fans but also from his former teammates. Would he work better with Harden than Dwight as the "other" cornerstone? I think it's very questionable. Now if he comes cheap as the third piece (kind of like Love in Cleveland) rather than the second cornerstone, that could be a better fit. Even that, I would still worry whether he would accept such a role, or would he expect to be the "Durant" of the team he is going to join.
Thunder are likely the best defensive team in the NBA outside of Utah. They're going to be very tough to deal with.
Donovan says Patrick Patterson is a “tough defender, physical, a winner.” Says he adds a dimension to Thunder at both ends of the floor. Donovan: Patrick and I go back a long way. Coaching at Marshall and WVU, w/ Patrick from Huntington, WV. Developed a close relationship. Patterson on how he fits in: Pretty much, just spacing the floor. Being a guy who can distribute the ball and make the extra play.
Really good signing for the Thunder. They are a tough matchup for us. We all know freaking Felton will roll out of bed, eat a bag of donuts, drink a vanilla milkshake and hit 5 3s on us.
