After more than a month of bickering, heated discussions and national publicity, the “Great Portland Debate” has officially come to a close.
SportsCenter kicked off with a bang tonight, as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports" flagship program announced the Blazers' plans for the no. 1 pick in tomorrow's draft: We are taking the big man Greg Oden.
On one hand, I was relieved. The Blazers brass appeared to finally understand that stumbling across a legitimate seven-foot center is like finding a waterhole in a scorching desert- it doesn't happen often. Sure, Kevin Durant is talented and would've brought instant scoring power to a squad lacking a potent offensive attack, but every sane Portlander realized long ago that Oden's mountainous physique is the Rose City’s ticket to championship success.
Question the former Buckeye’s surgically repaired right wrist, and I will tell you he could bench 185 pounds more than Durant even with it less than 100%. Say Oden isn’t a polished offensive threat, and I will counter by rapping about his intimidating defensive presence that will keep pretty-boy guards and small forwards, like Durant, shying away from the paint for fear of getting swatted by the beast.
And, in regards to his offensive abilities, he is better than a raw Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum and Patrick O’Bryant, who was selected with the No. 9 selection last season. As he showcased in the NCAA Championship Game in March, Oden has a consistent hook shot and his around-the-basket skills make him a viable force inside for put-backs, tip-ins and alley oops.
While I was thrilled to find General Manager Kevin Prichard hadn’t choked with his selection, I was thoroughly disappointed that the announcement was so premature. Seriously, talk about ruining hundreds of draft parties and taking the air out of a suspenseful debate. WOW!!! Big mistake on Prichard and, most likely, Owner Paul Allen’s part. This move is analogous to telling a youngster what he’s receiving for Christmas hours before he feverishly rips into his presents the next morning. It just isn’t right in every conceivable way.
The only remedy to cure the heartbreak Blazer fans are felling after Prichard and Allen stole all their draft-day fun is to bring it back. Yes, this means Prichard breaking out the wheelin-and-dealin hat he donned last season when Portland reeled off a record six deals, dusting it off and single handedly generating some excitement with trade after trade. I expect he will deal Zach Randolph, as there is no longer room for his sluggish, banal game with Oden around, for a veteran small forward like Reshard Lewis or Richard Jefferson. Also, I hope he packages two or three of the four second round picks to acquire another first round selection.
So, the debate is now sadly and prematurely dead, but the fun might just be beginning for the Blazers.
SportsCenter kicked off with a bang tonight, as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports" flagship program announced the Blazers' plans for the no. 1 pick in tomorrow's draft: We are taking the big man Greg Oden.
On one hand, I was relieved. The Blazers brass appeared to finally understand that stumbling across a legitimate seven-foot center is like finding a waterhole in a scorching desert- it doesn't happen often. Sure, Kevin Durant is talented and would've brought instant scoring power to a squad lacking a potent offensive attack, but every sane Portlander realized long ago that Oden's mountainous physique is the Rose City’s ticket to championship success.
Question the former Buckeye’s surgically repaired right wrist, and I will tell you he could bench 185 pounds more than Durant even with it less than 100%. Say Oden isn’t a polished offensive threat, and I will counter by rapping about his intimidating defensive presence that will keep pretty-boy guards and small forwards, like Durant, shying away from the paint for fear of getting swatted by the beast.
And, in regards to his offensive abilities, he is better than a raw Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum and Patrick O’Bryant, who was selected with the No. 9 selection last season. As he showcased in the NCAA Championship Game in March, Oden has a consistent hook shot and his around-the-basket skills make him a viable force inside for put-backs, tip-ins and alley oops.
While I was thrilled to find General Manager Kevin Prichard hadn’t choked with his selection, I was thoroughly disappointed that the announcement was so premature. Seriously, talk about ruining hundreds of draft parties and taking the air out of a suspenseful debate. WOW!!! Big mistake on Prichard and, most likely, Owner Paul Allen’s part. This move is analogous to telling a youngster what he’s receiving for Christmas hours before he feverishly rips into his presents the next morning. It just isn’t right in every conceivable way.
The only remedy to cure the heartbreak Blazer fans are felling after Prichard and Allen stole all their draft-day fun is to bring it back. Yes, this means Prichard breaking out the wheelin-and-dealin hat he donned last season when Portland reeled off a record six deals, dusting it off and single handedly generating some excitement with trade after trade. I expect he will deal Zach Randolph, as there is no longer room for his sluggish, banal game with Oden around, for a veteran small forward like Reshard Lewis or Richard Jefferson. Also, I hope he packages two or three of the four second round picks to acquire another first round selection.
So, the debate is now sadly and prematurely dead, but the fun might just be beginning for the Blazers.
5 comments:
This is a well written blog but the Blazers are denying that they have informed Oden’s camp that he is going to be the number one pick. SprtCenter is still standing by their statement, but manny news stations in Oregon have been contacted by the Blazers and have been informed that the statement by SportCenter is false. Don't get me wrong, I want the Blazers to pick the true center out of Ohio State, but we will have to wait until 4pm.
Chris Watson
I think Oden's defensive abilities are being exaggerated, especially in comparison to Durant. You talk about a legitimate 7-footer who is going to strike fear in "little guards." Durant is a mere two inches shorter and far more athletic than Oden. He's just as capable of blocking shots as Oden. Look how many times Outlaw came from the weak side to help out last year. Durant is certainly capable of much the same. Plus, he's not going to go up against PF and C who are going to pound the paint and get Oden in foul trouble in the first quarter. Rather, Durant will be able to guard players on the perimeter, making it tough for them to hit shots and/or get in the lane in the first place.
Certainly you can't compare Oden and Durant offensively. Durant is head and shoulders above, no question.
So if Oden's only real "advantage" over Durant is defensive ability, I think you have to go with the guy who's going to give you scoring, flexibility, speed, defense, and everything else you want. Durant in '07. KP knows.
-G
Impressive first blog entry, both in terms of writing and detail.
I agree that letting the proverbial cat out of the bag makes little sense. I was supposed to meet up with some buddies to watch the first round of the draft...Now I kind of wonder what the point of such a thing would be.
By the way, anyone unfamiliar with this Greg Oden fellow should go to espn.com and click on the video for "Oden: New York isn't anything like Portland" interview. Sorry -- can't figure out a way to link to it on the blog
Oden it is!
This is good. So far, he has shown to be a humble man with a team-spirit. With his attitude and skills, Portland can go far.
I am finally excited about the Blazers again!!
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