Draft Do Over?
When it comes to the NBA Draft, the conventional wisdom around the League is as follows: If a “sure-thing” big man is available, you take him. It doesn’t matter if another otherworldly talent - a guy whose lone collegiate season proved that he has a legitimate shot to go down as one of the most gifted offensive players ever - is up for grabs. In June, the Portland Trailblazers used this logic to select Greg Oden over Kevin Durant.
NBA teams are so enamored with seven footers that they’ll do anything to get their hands on them. This includes ignoring tell-tell signs that the big man in question may not be 100% healthy. According to a few NBA execs, this is what happened in Portland prior to the draft. From Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski (who broke the story of Oden’s season-ending injury):
“From our (trainers and doctors), there were red flags everywhere,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “It wouldn’t have stopped us from drafting him but it would’ve probably made us pause about making a deal to move up and get him,” he said.
“Our trainers did say they thought he had somewhat of an issue (with the right knee), but they weren’t sure to what extent,” one Western Conference executive said. “I guess we’re starting to see now that it’s more serious than some people thought.”
All in all, one Eastern Conference personnel man said, “It was not a good physical.”
The crazy thing in all of this is that, according to Wojnarowski’s sources anyway, both Portland and Seattle would still have taken Oden with the first overall pick. I don’t get it.
77 Responses to “Draft Do Over?”
Sep.14 at 12:43 pm
Ben Hogan says:
Something about the Blazers and those injured big men, they just have to draft them.
Sep.14 at 12:49 pm
LoUiE says:
Durant
Sep.14 at 12:49 pm
LoUiE says:
Durant
Sep.14 at 1:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Forgive me, but I just don’t see where Kevin Durant is an ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEED sure thing. Simmons talks about him like he’s the second coming of MJ–and I understand his numbers were amazing–but I look at him and see a stretched-out Jamal Crawford. Has he ever seen the inside of a weight room? Yes, basketball skills are the most important thing, but I can’t WAIT to see KD try and bang inside.
Sep.14 at 1:00 pm
phunkykarma says:
Someone has to do something about the worst draft ever. Don’t know which one it is though
Sep.14 at 1:01 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Portland should have drafted Yi.
Sep.14 at 1:02 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I also like how above anonymous East Coast exec said there were red flags everywhere” but it “wouldn’t have stopped us from drafting him.” Great, it didn’t stop Portland either. What are you bringing to the discussion? (Said executive HAS to be Danny Ainge, right?)
Sep.14 at 1:05 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The worst draft ever was ‘86. Hands down. Chris Washburn, William Bedford and Brad Sellers. Oh yeah, and Len Bias DIED. Um, dishonorable mention goes to 2000.
Sep.14 at 1:08 pm
mutoni says:
russ, i surely hope that’s the last time i see kevin durant and jamal crawford’s names in the same sentence. durant will fill out over time; look at ‘he who shall not be named’ when he first came into the league. besides, it’s not like he’s a power forward; banging inside won’t exactly be a concern.
Sep.14 at 1:11 pm
Reggie Evans says:
You’re right, Kobe was skinny when he first came into the league.
Sep.14 at 1:15 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kobe came out of HIGH SCHOOL. He was barely 17. I don’t know, obviously I’m nitpicking, but I just hate seeing Oden thrown under the bus for something he can’t control while Durant gets handed the crown as the Next Great Scorer before he even plays in a single NBA game. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the kid, and would love to watch him average 30ppg for the next 12-15 years. But I think it’s naive to assume he’ll DEFINITELY be a star on the next level. Plenty of can’t-miss prospects do.
Sep.14 at 1:16 pm
bryan says:
The guy is only like 19 years old I was 175 pounds when I graduted and now 5 years later I’m a nice solid 205 and still the same age as some rookies.So give him time he won’t need to bench 200 pounds when he is draining permiter jumpers and using his long reach to grab rebounds and take them coast to coast.
Sep.14 at 1:19 pm
bryan says:
Actually Kobe was a little less than a year younger than Durant when he played his first game so the age difference isn’t that big.Durant was a young freshman this year.If OJ Mayo had strength issues we would have something to talk about.But no one seems opposed to crowning him the next great and he hasn’t even played a minute of COLLEGE ball yet.
Sep.14 at 1:20 pm
mutoni says:
it’s not oden that i’m throwing under the proverbial bus; it’s nba gms and their insistence on picking big men at all costs that i fail to understand.
Sep.14 at 1:21 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Oh yeah, I also loved Simmons’s reasoning that the Blazers should have taken Durant and simply kept Z-Bo. Right. Let’s keep the bad influence guy around the prized rookie–and keep dumping the ball into the black hole in the post when we have, apparently, the greatest offensive player since MJ. Good idea. SG should stick to writing about the stupid, cheating Patriots.
Sep.14 at 1:21 pm
white hot eboy says:
bryan, to echo Russ’s view. Think Ron-Ron taking his thin-ass into the post. Or Lebron. Or Kobe. Sh*t for that matter, even Gerald Wallace will body him up and bang him around. And all those guys have the ability to shut him down as well. He’s got to play both ways and on a team as horrible as the Sonics, he won’t be able to hide for long.
Sep.14 at 1:23 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
If Oden comes back healthy next year, isn’t this all a moot point? It’s not like the Blazers were going to win a title in ‘08. This gives Aldridge and Frye more room to develop, as well as Roy and Webster. I’m not entirely sold that Oden is damaged goods–just as I’m not sold that Durant is, well, you know what I’m gonna say.
Sep.14 at 1:25 pm
mutoni says:
there’s only one way to settle this dispute: durant must sit out the ‘08 campaign. it’s only fair.
Sep.14 at 1:25 pm
bryan says:
Every player has weaknesses and advantages.Those guys are stronger right now , but that can change.What won’t change is Durants length and athleticism which will help him SOME.Don’t get me wrong I don’t think he will be all league defense, but he can hold his own , he won’t be Adam Morrison out there.He will at least be able to impede these people some what with his reach and abilty to cover a lot of ground and be able to get a hand in their face cause his arms are like 12 feet long.
Sep.14 at 1:26 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And mutoni, you know I love you and all, but “insistence on picking big men at all costs”? This is about ONE BIG MAN. This is about GREG ODEN, who, by all accounts was (is) set to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon. He would have probably been the number-one pick coming out of JUNIOR high school. This isn’t Todd Fuller or Michael freaking Olowokandi. I hope he comes back next year and averages 22 and 12 and everyone has to eat it up.
Sep.14 at 1:28 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Yeah man, Durant is long and skinny with tremendous range. Just like Jonathan Bender, who more than one GM compared him to. Hey, where’s he playing these days?
Sep.14 at 1:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And once again, I have NOTHING against Kevin Durant. I’m just tired of the knee-jerk columnist reaction of “see, the Blazers definitely should have taken Durant.” Why? If he was so amazing, shouldn’t he have made the Olympic team? The knee surgery is a horrible thing for Oden. Let’s not compound it by saying “AND you shouldn’t have been picked first!” You know what’s gonna tell whether they made the right decision or not? Time. So let’s just wait and see.
Sep.14 at 1:31 pm
bryan says:
haha burn.
Sep.14 at 1:32 pm
mutoni says:
i’ll gladly eat it up; hell, i’ll ask for seconds. but if oden was set to become the next dream, then my god, what is durant supposed to be?
Sep.14 at 1:32 pm
H to the izzo says:
Russ,you won two comments ago,now you’re just getting greedy
Sep.14 at 1:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, I’ll stick with my 16-19 pt average per game for Mr. Durant this season.
Sep.14 at 1:35 pm
white hot eboy says:
prediction, sorry.
Sep.14 at 1:35 pm
jbn74sb says:
Russ is fired up today. Personally, I would have taken Durant, unless I already had an established big man.
Durant is a more well rounded offensive player, and not as deadly with the jumper, but I’m pretty sure that Reggie Miller lifted weights with the same frequency and intensity as Ryan Jones.
Sep.14 at 1:37 pm
jbn74sb says:
I meant that I would have taken Oden, unless I already had an established big man. It’s early out here…
Sep.14 at 1:38 pm
bryan says:
I don’t even care who got picked first I just think it’s dumb to pick apart useless things in someones game for the sake of praising someone elses.Why did the sonics draft Kevin Durant? To score the f’ing ball.The same reason any other team that had the chance to take him would have.They didn’t draft him for defense or to lead the team in bench press reps.Why did the Blazers take Oden? To anchor the paint and defend the rim and develop into a superstar center , which are harder to find than superstar forwards.Everyone knows it’s a gamble I think the only point people are trying to make is that there were signs this kid was gonna be injury prone and MAYBE it would have been better to draft someone with no real injury concerns.Like I said he can always get stronger worst case he’s a skinny 18 ppg guy his whole career , worst case with Oden? 34 year old Chris Webber.Who know’s what happens from here , no knock on Oden I think he’s awesome and can recover fully but every sports fan goes overboard and can wonder if they would have been better served taking a guy who is a sure shot to at least play this season.
Sep.14 at 1:41 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Next Olajuwon may be an exaggeration, but I liked what I saw of a kid playing with his wrong hand all year (I believe reports of his offensive liabilities are greatly exaggerated as well). Hopefully in 2010 the Blazers and Sonics are battling for Western Conference dominance, with Oden and Durant leading the respective charges. That is, unless the Sonics have moved to Hartford by then.
Sep.14 at 1:43 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, if the rings the thing, I bet you GO gets more of those than KD when all is said and done. And he will have a large say in the season(s) that he’s fitted for one.
Sep.14 at 1:44 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
bryan: I hear you, but you’re talking crystal ball stuff. Sure, there were apparently concerns about Oden’s health (I’d love to actually see some of those “red-flagged” reports–where you at Smoking Gun?) but I don’t think any of them said that he’d most likely miss his entire rookie season.
Sep.14 at 1:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
You think there were a lot of columns like this in ‘86 killing the Celtics for not taking Chuck Person because “at least he was still alive three days after the draft”?
Sep.14 at 1:47 pm
bryan says:
Of course none of them said that or we would have heard a lot about it.All the people freaking out are doing so over hindsight.Everyone knows no sports fan is logical and the same blazer fans that cried for joy when oden got drafted are the same ones calling everyone out for not taking Durant.
Sep.14 at 1:48 pm
bryan says:
russ:I don’t think your comment was meant to be funny but it made me laugh for real. but I will say if Bill Simmons was writing chances are YES.
Sep.14 at 1:54 pm
Ron says:
Amare had microfracture surgery and developed somewhat of a mid-range jumper because of it. Oden’s game evolved as a result of a wrist injury last year. Who’s to say that this surgery is not the further evolution of Greg’s game. I guess we’ll see what happens in the off season. It is a shame that he going to miss the year.
Sep.14 at 1:57 pm
Slick Nick Da Ruler says:
Luckily Oden entered the NBA this year. Can you imagine if microfracture surgery was needed at Ohio State. That would be tragic, but right now, Oden has a guaranteed contract and great doctors. He’ll be fine
Sep.14 at 2:07 pm
Tom says:
Russ, I agree. I dont see how Durant is guaranteed to be a sure thing either. While I hope that both players go on to have great careers, anything is possible. Oden could come back like Amare. Durant could get hurt and have his career shortened. Realistically, its not fair to compare these players until 20 years from now when they have both retired. But that doesnt mean it isnt fun to do…
Sep.14 at 2:10 pm
bryan says:
I love to discuss sports I moved to GA and I have no friends here to argue sports with the only guy I work with likes tennis.. no football or basketball so it sucks.
Sep.14 at 2:14 pm
Paniscus says:
As a Blazer fan I’d like to say a few things. First, I’m not ready to give up on Oden. It’s a really tough break for the kid and I wish him the best. He’s got a hellacious couple of years ahead of him, and I don’t want to compound his misery by trashtalking him while he’s down. Second, I was stoked in Portland when all of the Oden or Durant hoopla was going on. It was exciting as hell. But that said, it can get taken too far or too seriously. I don’t buy into this whole Oden/Durant dichotomy that everyone tries force down my throat. I don’t have to take sides and pick one over the other. An injury to Oden doesn’t make Durant a better player. I root for Oden’s team, but that doesn’t mean I have to hate on Durant. Likewise, just because Oden’s hurt doesn’t mean that I have to call for Kevin Pritchard’s head.
What I’m trying to say is that we should stop the Oden/Durant debate for the time being until we can assess each player on his own merits. Maybe a few years down the line we can rely on history to provide an answer, but for now let’s just wish Oden a speedy and complete recovery and Durant a successful rookie season. And let’s hope that both of them can entertain us for years to come.
Sep.14 at 2:14 pm
white hot eboy says:
Poor bryan.
Sep.14 at 2:15 pm
white hot eboy says:
Paniscus could be a poiltician. Well said.
Sep.14 at 2:20 pm
bryan says:
it’s all in good fun I love both players even if I can’t stand the Blazers or the sonics.I’m just a basketball fan in general I can watch any team every night I don’t care as long as it’s basketball. That being said..I’m a knicks fan.We don’t have much to debate about..but at least I don’t have to hear about how “this is our year” and “we were the better team we just lost” crap anymore.
Sep.14 at 2:44 pm
Reggie Evans says:
I thought that mutoni’s “he who shall not be named” was someone else.
Sep.14 at 3:02 pm
riggs says:
i also thought it was jesus reggie.
Sep.14 at 3:21 pm
Anthony Verna says:
If anything, I think this proves that nobody is a sure thing. Pro sports requires such a jump in physical ability and mental training from the amateur levels to the professional levels that there are no sure things.
Sep.14 at 3:28 pm
Chris O says:
If Seattle ever moved to Hartford, they’d have to resurrect those old Hartford Whalers jerseys and incorporate them for basketball. That’s my favorite ugly jersey of all time.
Sep.14 at 3:34 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The draft that needs a do-over is 1998. Michael Olowokandi ahead of Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce. OOPS.
Sep.14 at 3:42 pm
Dennard says:
Damn, it’s amazing how people gloss over that 1998 draft. Olowokandi went first over that group of players. Damn! The Clippers really are the most cursed franchise. I know it’s been said before, but they are officially the Arizona Cardinals of the NBA.
Sep.14 at 3:50 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
When someone mentioned worst drafts, I thought of 1998 right away because of the Kandi Man. I’d kind of forgotten that the overall talent level was actually pretty high. Also drafted in 1998: Jason Williams, Rashard Lewis, Bonzi Wells, Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley, Ricky Davis…
Sep.14 at 3:52 pm
riggs says:
i dont know…i mean keith van horn being a second pick is really bad as well.
Sep.14 at 4:39 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
russ, im gonna make sure to remind you of all this kevin the dude hate when he averages 25pts a game(with 8 boards, 3assists, 2 or 3dimes, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks). he really is cold-blooded, he takes those gil arenas pull up in transition 3s, where he should probably set up the offense but says f it im open. everyone seems to be forgetting that hes a great defender too.
Sep.14 at 5:35 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
How am I “hating” by simply stating that he’s not the absolute LOCK to be the second coming of MJ that some people are making him out to be? I already said that I have nothing against Durant personally and I hope he turns out to be a fantastic player. Go back to pushing your stupid website.
Sep.14 at 5:39 pm
Drolfe says:
BOOM!! I havent posted in a couple of months and it feels gooooood to be back at it. I know, i didnt make a big enough impact back when i was posting to expect any kind of ‘welcome back’ or ‘we missed you’ comments, but on a personal level its my triumphant return and it feels effin good.
Sep.14 at 5:48 pm
H to the izzo says:
Russ,everything is hating these days
Sep.14 at 5:53 pm
Reggie Evans says:
It’s hating because the second coming of MJ is Kobe. Durant is the third coming.
Sep.14 at 6:13 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
russ, you said alot more than just he wont be the next mj. you called him jamal crawford and you hated on him for not making the olympic team.
Sep.14 at 6:19 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Tarzan: I always suspected you can’t read, now I’m sure of it. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Sep.14 at 6:23 pm
H to the izzo says:
Tarzan=Bill Simmons Jr,no idea how it would work out though
Sep.14 at 6:35 pm
bryan says:
dang russ is angry today for real
Sep.14 at 7:13 pm
Reggie Evans says:
OK. Durant is not a lock. But he’s a better prospect than any other rookie this year.
Sep.14 at 8:39 pm
Mike says:
why is bengtson talking about the worst drafts ever…not one guy has played a game yet…chill son
Sep.14 at 10:23 pm
Caleb says:
Durant is less than two months older than myself. He’s got 6 inches on me, but we’ve got the same build. I’m as lanky as you can get but it runs in the family. My grandfather was the same way and he’s quite the big dude nowadays. I understand KD - he can’t help how scrawny he is. Give him some time, he’ll fill out. I don’t know why everyone is making such a big deal out of his lack of bulk. Dude’s not even 19 for another two weeks. As for Oden’s injury… I hate to say I told you so, but, well, I told you so. I blogged my way through the first round of the draft over on sportingnews.com and even gave a mention to SLAM. Check it out…
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/SanAnDynasty/91401/
Read my analysis of the first pick. PS - Didn’t Oden aggravate his injury while ACTUALLY running laps? Damn, I’m good
Sep.15 at 9:46 am
htown nick says:
No one is a lock to be good. There are too many factors…for all we know KD lost his drive after he got paid and is snorting half of peru up his nose right now while training pit bulls and nursing an injury he hasn’t told anybody about.
Sep.15 at 9:47 am
h-town nick says:
That being said…he is the best prospect, and we have no reason to beleive he won’t be great. We just have to wait and see.
Sep.15 at 10:15 pm
lakernutrider says:
stop it russ you are making yourself look bad. you’re getting all pumped up about people crowning durant as the next mj, yet you dont seem to have a problem crowning Oden the next hakeem.
Sep.16 at 4:46 am
Heri says:
I’ve heard Durant is going to work with Ronnie Coleman to earn some muscle. Nothing but a peanut!
Sep.16 at 8:23 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m not crowning anyone as the next anything. Just saying that the future’s not set–for anyone. OK?
Sep.17 at 10:58 am
jay says:
i am glad all this is coming out now?? either the lit was kept sealed or peeps just ignored the signs as you guys said..kinda sad! glad we can all play monday qB with the best of em!
Sep.17 at 11:02 am
Reggie Evans says:
Russ - that is some bold philosophic statement you’re making.
Sep.17 at 9:05 pm
bmd says:
This is about ONE BIG MAN. This is about GREG ODEN, who, by all accounts was (is) set to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon-Russ Bengtson Fo REAL??HAKEEM THE DREAM??You have got to be kidding me,u lost all basketball creditablity after u said that.
Sep.17 at 9:47 pm
daniel says:
someone please keep clowning on bill simmons, i hate that guy. (colts fan) In his weekly NFL picks column, i cant remember the last time he picked the colts to win. comes up with totally sketch reasons to pick against the colts. d-bag.
Sep.18 at 12:24 am
Jack Ali says:
Kevin Durant was the sure choice this year. His performance last season was one of the greatest by a NCAA Player all time. And after seeing pictures of KG his first few years..he filled out just fine. And he had to guard POWER forwards. Durant will be fine.
Sep.20 at 11:35 am
Phonzo Ellis says:
The Portland Trailblazers organization is cursed from the 85 draft by picking Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan!
Sep.20 at 11:44 am
Bryce Lewis says:
Is there actually a legitimate argument for worst draft ever? 2000 seems to be the obvious choice. K-Mart at #1, followed by Stromile Swift and the legendary Miles. Who remembers Marcus Fizer and DerMarr Johnson?? Highlights include Mateen Cleeves, Courtney Alexander (Wizards!!), and Mark Madsen… and last but certainly not least - at the #8 slot, from Michigan, the Cavs select Kevin Durant - Oops I mean Jamal Crawford
Sep.20 at 8:02 pm
Dyce says:
Kevin Durant is going to put up numbers throughout his career. Greg Oden seems like one of those just servicable big men who is kinda sorta intimidating but not really….He is going to on the bottom of a lot of posters.