Durant puts pressure on Portland, has a stellar workout.

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Oden is not automatically the #1 choice next week....remember it was Portand who bypassed an athletic smaller Michael Jordan for the larger more sure thing named Sam Bowie.

I'm not saying they should pass on Oden but, Durant is clearly the most talented 19 yr old basketball player to ever come along at this age.

Guys like Garnett and McGrady who have never won and are in that same size skill level as Durant , basically swingmen who can do everything but win the big one by themselves won't help.

It's hard to imagine Durant being better but he's clearly further along at this age the those two, he did things the Big 8/12 had never seen before.

Greg Oden admitted he was out of breath after his workout Wednesday for the Blazers. By no means was the 7-foot draft prospect coasting in on his reputation.

"Really, I'm trying to sell them on me, not the other way around," the forward from Ohio State said after a vigorous solo workout.

Yes Oden is the easier choice, but will he be the right choice or another Sam Bowie:think2:
 

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DURANT..the choice here...Upside greater..the kid can fill it up, and thats what wins game in the NBA>>..defense obviously important..but this big guy not creative or extremely athletic..
 

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Everyone seems convinced it's Oden but....the things Durant did with a bunch of freshman...yeah you need a big man but , it would be real hard to pass on Durant.

Shaq wasn't exactly a scoring machine at LSU either...tough call !

It's not automatic Oden will be another Shaq, Duncan or Hakeem either.

I think they will both end up in the HOF.
 

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Oden is going first - it's not even debatable unless Oden dies or is severely injured in the interim - we've been through this - if Oden turns out to be what is hoped for you are virtually guaranteed a ring - Ewing is the only only dominant big man/7 footer without a ring - if Durant turns out to be what is hoped for you get a scorer like McGrady or Carter - and then what do you really have? - you can't just hope he turns into Jordan - all you can hope for is he'll be one of the best at his position - and Durants job is "all around scorer".
 

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Everyone seems convinced it's Oden but....the things Durant did with a bunch of freshman...yeah you need a big man but , it would be real hard to pass on Durant.

Shaq wasn't exactly a scoring machine at LSU either...tough call !

It's not automatic Oden will be another Shaq, Duncan or Hakeem either.

I think they will both end up in the HOF.

Nothing is certain - both look great - all you can hope is that both turn out to be at the top of the league for their position - suppose that happens - statistically speaking, Oden will have titles - and Durant - well, you gamble - it's statistically less likely to happen than it is.
 

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Yeah but you are assuming Oden will be a dominant big man...not fair to call Durant the next T Mac or Carter.

A lot of assuming going on....Durant will be a McGrady and Oden will be the next Wilt....many 7 footers have failed...and I'm not saying he will.
 

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Nothing is certain - both look great - all you can hope is that both turn out to be at the top of the league for their position - suppose that happens - statistically speaking, Oden will have titles - and Durant - well, you gamble - it's statistically less likely to happen than it is.

Obviously you would have taken Sam Bowie back in 1984 too.:thumbsup:
 

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in 1986 The Cavs selected Brad Daugherty over Len Bias...this would have been a mistake had Bias lived...Daugherty won nothing...solid player but that was it.

1998 Olawakandi taken #1 BUST, Bibby, Jamison and Carter taken behind him.

2001 Kwame Brown#1, Jason Richardson 5th

2005 Anrew Bogut #1


I tell you one thing after looking over the recent drafts,....wow, so many blunders in the top ten !

http://thedraftreview.com/history/drafted2000/board.htm
 

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The biggest mistake in the last decade was the Pistons passing on Mello.
 

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Journey,

You cant cmpare Oden to kandi, Kwame and Bogut.

also if durant were available in those drafts he would have went #1 for sure.

Daugherty was much better than "solid" he avg 19 & 10 and was an all Star 5 times back when there were plenty of centers.

centers like oden dont come around very often. i love durant and he will be a stud but there are tons off all star quality PF's in the league
 

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Even if he's a total bust on offense which is doubtful - you know your getting a defensive beast - Marcus Camby with twice the athleticism and 5x the muscle.
 

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okay but it's certainly not impossible or even that unrealistic to think Durant could be the better player...time will tell.
 

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As a long suffering Sonic fan its nice to be at the #2. Can't go wrong there. The pressure is all on Portland.

I do think that they'll take Oden though.
 

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Blazers would be some damned fools not to take Oden. Not gonna happen.

Also, Kevin Garnett is not a swingman.
 

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Blazers would be some damned fools not to take Oden. Not gonna happen.

Also, Kevin Garnett is not a swingman.

Mr pick apart the slightest possible wording... I said 'basically' swingmen, Garnett is a do it all swingman type player, who happens to be taller!

And yes they would be foolish to pass on the big man.....I realize you're never wrong Raj but many GM's have lost jobs for making the wrong move in this situation.

is not a swingman :lolBIG:

he is a swingman in a 7 footers body... is he exactly 7 foot? Did I word that right?
 
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