According to Henry Abbott, Portland's making noises about possibly picking Kevin Durant. That doesn't sound very smart to me. On the other hand, if I were the Trailblazers I would at least want to try and see what Seattle's prepared to offer as part of a pick swap. Either guy would be a big plus for Portland, but I think Oden has much more value than does Durant in Seattle so it's possible the Sonics would make an offer that's worth taking.
« Why Does Eric Alterman Hate the Jews? | Main | Taking Back America »
Picking Durant
18 Jun 2007 02:00 pm
Comments (10)
Sam Bowie played in Portland.
As a Blazer fan, I'm really, really hoping they take Oden.
That said, they're one of the few teams in the league where it kind of makes sense to take Durant if you really think he's something no one has seen before.
If the Blazers were to field their team tomorrow, it would be Zach Randolph at power forward, year's no. 2 overall pick LaMarcus Aldridge at the center (where he arguably belongs), with rookie of the year Brandon Roy your starting shooting guard, and two young talents in Jack Jarrett and Sergio Rodriguez at the point. The biggest hole is small forward, Kevin Durant's position.
A minority of people (I am not one of them) think Durant is a superior basketball talent to Oden. With two quality big men already and a hole at the "3", Portland GM Kevin Pritchard (who has long been known to covet Kevin Durant) may see KD sliding into the Blazers roster more smoothly.
I say draft Oden and trade Randolph for a small forward like Richard Jefferson.
oops. Jarrett Jack, not the other way.
if you really think he's something no one has seen before.
In which case, you should be fired.
"if you really think he's something no one has seen before.
In which case, you should be fired."
Kevin Durant is considered a scorer, for obvious reasons.
But what people seem to overlook is that he averaged 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game, as a wing, and more significantly, as a FRESHMAN! Where have you seen this before? The best I can come up with is a Larry Bird who can swat your shot.
But acknowledging Durant's unique and incredible talent does not diminish Greg Oden's beastly ability. If he can develop his post game (which all signs point in his favor), he could become
a more athletic version of Tim Duncan.
Oden and Durant will both be superstars in this league. I think Oden, Durant and LeBron will be duking it out for MVPs in the future.
If the management in Portland and Seattle exibit patience and competence in building around their young stars (unlike the disasters in Cleveland and Minnesota), the Pacific Northwest could displace the Texas Triangle as the most dreaded road trip swing in the NBA in years to come.
In which case, you should be fired.
I'm not saying Portland should draft Durant over Oden. That said, are you serious, SCMT? Did you watch Durant play? I'm amenable to the pro-Oden camp but I think some of the dissing of Durant around here is crazy. His performances were jaw dropping. His numbers were startling. The fact that he outperformed Oden by almost any individual rubric certainly isn't the whole story. But it should be part of the story.
let's restore some sanity around here, huh? durant may have put up great statistics, but don't forget it was in a fast-paced system in texas. that being said, few players have his ability to play inside and out, rebound and swat shots. he'll be a beast on the offensive end, and great in the zone, passable in man-to-man.
still, oden's the better player and the right pick for portland--aldrige is a little small for the five, and randolph is a little crazy for the team.
"Oden has much more value than does Durant in Seattle"
Really? I know they just drafted Aldridge, but he seems like a natural 4 to me, and he and Oden seem like a very natural pairing to me (though no question Durant slides in there pretty well too.)
That said, the Sonics have spent three high draft picks in the last three (four?) years on Saer Sene, Swift, and Petro - seven-footers all. I realize Oden is a huge upgrade and you'd take him in a second if he was there, but assuming Lewis is gone they've got Gelabale and Damien Wilkins to play SF - seems like Durant is a better fit in Seattle than Oden, but then I don't know, maybe all three of those young Cs really are busts before age 22.
I say draft Oden and trade Randolph for a small forward like Richard Jefferson.
Yup. Good small forwards are much easier to find. In fact, they may already have a good enough small forward on their roster - Outlaw? Udoka? These guys are young and may improve.
Also, as a NJ fan, please, please trade me Randolph for RJ.
Finally, it is a smart idea to put out this rumor - there is no downside to letting it be known that Durant is an option, and you are only increasing your possible options.
Comments closed July 02, 2007.
| 
Heads in the Sand
If anyone other than Seattle had the 2nd pick it might be possible. But I can't believe anybody in Portland would risk having that big a potential mistake constantly staring them in the face.
Mike
Posted by MBunge | June 18, 2007 2:29 PM