(SG Daequan Cook)The Miami Heat made another roster clearing move on the eve of the NBA Draft by sending shooting guard Daequan Cook (3 years pro) & the 18th pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 32nd overall pick.
What it means - two realities have formed out of this deal. Firstly, it was definitely not surprising considering that Daequan's lack of P.T throughout the season spoke louder than the trade itself. The 23 year old guard out of Dayton displayed big time flashes in his first two seasons, but inconsistency & some injuries prevented Cook from really cementing himself with the Heat. And it was clear that Miami was not going to be interested in letting him play through miscues in his 3rd season (signed vet Quentin Richardson & increased playing time for Dorrell Wright). He played in 45 games for Miami this past season, 14 less than his rookie season and 30 less than his second season. His numbers say regression when our feeling is Cook actually improved his defense and ball handling ability, but it just could not come to light in the 2009/2010 season. Daequan's last big game with the Heat was a 22 point effort at Dallas on February 20, 2010.
The Opportunity - The change of scenery also presents the new reality of a fresh start & different system. Cook joins the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder led by young phenom Kevin Durant and Coach of the Year Scott Brooks. The Thunder play in the more wide open and uptempo Western Conference which may suit Cook's style. So far it is not clear if Daequan is a roster lock for OKC just yet, but all indications seem to point to the franchise's interest in Cook's contributions for at least one season. For now, it will be up to the former 3-point Champ to prove his worth this summer/early fall in what will be a crowded OKC training camp roster. In a cool twist, Daequan Cook will join another former Buckeye in center Byron Mullens. If both make it to the final roster, it will mark the first time two Buckeyes were on the same NBA team since the mid 1980s when Herb Williams & Clark Kellogg were together in Indiana.
Daequan With the Heat - Daequan Cook spent 3 seasons with Miami after being selected as the 21st pick in the 2007 draft at the young age of 19. Although he took a bit of a step back this past season, in two short years he was able to quickly earn the rep as a deadly outside shooter seemingly out of no where. Cook has already had several 20 plus point performances in his young career including a career best 27 points off the bench (6-8 from 3)vs Phoenix on March 4th, 2009. He won the 2009 3-point contest & is 9th on the Miami Heat all time 3 point field goals list. Cook has said that his later struggles partly came from teams now game planning him as a 'known threat'. A change of scenery might be best for Daequan to recharge as a player and bounce back.
Some of Cook's best moments as a Miami Heat :)
What it means - two realities have formed out of this deal. Firstly, it was definitely not surprising considering that Daequan's lack of P.T throughout the season spoke louder than the trade itself. The 23 year old guard out of Dayton displayed big time flashes in his first two seasons, but inconsistency & some injuries prevented Cook from really cementing himself with the Heat. And it was clear that Miami was not going to be interested in letting him play through miscues in his 3rd season (signed vet Quentin Richardson & increased playing time for Dorrell Wright). He played in 45 games for Miami this past season, 14 less than his rookie season and 30 less than his second season. His numbers say regression when our feeling is Cook actually improved his defense and ball handling ability, but it just could not come to light in the 2009/2010 season. Daequan's last big game with the Heat was a 22 point effort at Dallas on February 20, 2010.
The Opportunity - The change of scenery also presents the new reality of a fresh start & different system. Cook joins the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder led by young phenom Kevin Durant and Coach of the Year Scott Brooks. The Thunder play in the more wide open and uptempo Western Conference which may suit Cook's style. So far it is not clear if Daequan is a roster lock for OKC just yet, but all indications seem to point to the franchise's interest in Cook's contributions for at least one season. For now, it will be up to the former 3-point Champ to prove his worth this summer/early fall in what will be a crowded OKC training camp roster. In a cool twist, Daequan Cook will join another former Buckeye in center Byron Mullens. If both make it to the final roster, it will mark the first time two Buckeyes were on the same NBA team since the mid 1980s when Herb Williams & Clark Kellogg were together in Indiana.
Daequan With the Heat - Daequan Cook spent 3 seasons with Miami after being selected as the 21st pick in the 2007 draft at the young age of 19. Although he took a bit of a step back this past season, in two short years he was able to quickly earn the rep as a deadly outside shooter seemingly out of no where. Cook has already had several 20 plus point performances in his young career including a career best 27 points off the bench (6-8 from 3)vs Phoenix on March 4th, 2009. He won the 2009 3-point contest & is 9th on the Miami Heat all time 3 point field goals list. Cook has said that his later struggles partly came from teams now game planning him as a 'known threat'. A change of scenery might be best for Daequan to recharge as a player and bounce back.
Some of Cook's best moments as a Miami Heat :)
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