Lebron: "You knew KD was destined for greatness. Everyone did ... besides Portland. Sorry, Portland.

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I remember when KD worked out for the Blazers and one of the assistant coaches commented on the radio that KD had a great work-out but what impressed him the most was "he had the eye of the tiger" and was locked in mentally. Then everyone called in and complained that he was to weak to be an NBA player.

It sucks in hindsight that they drafted the guy who turned out to be the “bust” while the other guy was an MVP, but everytime has missed on superstars at one point or another. The Blazers have some Epicly bad ones because of Jordan & Durant. I at the time thought they picked the right guy. Didn’t call in to the radio stations though lol.

 

[Phatguysrule]

His hip surgery at 6. He couldn't walk after the final four the year of draft. Blazers knew of the many red flags

His hip surgery at 6 was public knowledge? Surely that was private medical information that he would not have shared...

I'd really like to see some links to back this up. I believe he had problems but I don't think anybody knew about them.

If these were public knowledge it would have been discussed heavily and I would have wanted Durant.

Oden's health was a huge topic of conversation and the only thing anyone could find was his broken wrist in college.

 

[Phatguysrule]

hard to say if KD would have stayed here, he possibly would have had a little more FA pull though.

07-08 could have been magical

Blake, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden

Outlaw, Jack, Sergio, Pryz, Frye ... man, i just get the sighs thinking about what could have happened over the next 5-10yrs if no injuries.

Blake, Roy, KD, Aldridge, Pryz would have been something amazing as well.

Oden Aldridge and Roy almost never lost when they all played at the same time.

That team (if they could have stayed healthy) would be right there with Golden State. Depending on who we had coaching us...

 

[riverman]

Then everyone called in and complained that he was to weak to be an NBA player.

also why Chicago traded us Lamarcus for Tyrus Thomas.....skinny kid Lamarcus...

 

[BBert]

I remember when KD worked out for the Blazers and one of the assistant coaches commented on the radio that KD had a great work-out but what impressed him the most was "he had the eye of the tiger" and was locked in mentally. Then everyone called in and complained that he was to weak to be an NBA player.

Right. People kept bringing up his terrible bench press test.

 

[LeeRC]

I really don't think the bench press thing bothered coaches/GMs so much as it bothered fans on the internet.

In reality, everyone knew he could develop strength later. It's just that Oden was a better prospect.

 

[Hoopguru]

Right. People kept bringing up his terrible bench press test.

I think Zack Collins has "The Eye of the Tiger" too. I love his mental approach to the game and his confidence as a slight 19/20 year old.
He may not be as quick as KD but I think his defense and play around the hoop will be his strengths. Just my opinion....

 

[BBert]

I really don't think the bench press thing bothered coaches/GMs so much as it bothered fans on the internet.

In reality, everyone knew he could develop strength later. It's just that Oden was a better prospect.

Definitely a fan obsession. GMs obviously didn't care.

 

[blue9]

Drafting Oden was the right move for a number of reasons. The most recent being that, had we drafted KD we'd be FAR saltier about losing him to GSW than we ever have been about Oden's knee. Good chance we wouldn't have Dame either. No regrets.

 

[tykendo]

Drafting Oden was the right move for a number of reasons. The most recent being that, had we drafted KD we'd be FAR saltier about losing him to GSW than we ever have been about Oden's knee. Good chance we wouldn't have Dame either. No regrets.

Good way to look at it.

 

[Strenuus]

Drafting Oden was the right move for a number of reasons. The most recent being that, had we drafted KD we'd be FAR saltier about losing him to GSW than we ever have been about Oden's knee. Good chance we wouldn't have Dame either. No regrets.

This is how i look at it too.

People who are salty are ill informed and/or myopic.

 

[Hoopguru]

Drafting Oden was the right move for a number of reasons. The most recent being that, had we drafted KD we'd be FAR saltier about losing him to GSW than we ever have been about Oden's knee. Good chance we wouldn't have Dame either. No regrets.

We could have won a ship or two also? I think it was the wrong move just like Minnie taking Rubio over Curry was the wrong move. Us taking Leonard over a few players was the wrong move. Just my opinion.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

We could have won a ship or two also? I think it was the wrong move just like Minnie taking Rubio over Curry was the wrong move. Us taking Leonard over a few players was the wrong move. Just my opinion.

This is somewhat tongue in cheek, but taking ML over Robert Sacre was probably a mistake. - For reference Robert Sacre was the last guy drafted in 2012. .

 

[Lanny]

Even the greatest basketball player on the planet can make a mistake.

Did you see the heartbroken look Danny Ainge had on his face when he lost the drawing for first pick? That's obviously because he had visions of drafting Oden in his head. I'm certain that every other GM had the same dream.

 

[LayneStaley]

I now hate lebron more.

 

[Voodoo]

His right leg was longer than his left leg

His middle leg was longer than his left or right leg from what I hear.

 

[Voodoo]

Just for the record I thought this joke was funny, shows lebron has a good memory to break out a random draft fact from what 10-11 years ago on the spot?