State of Greg Oden

[axs88]

To be honest, I don't think that scrimmage is indicative of anything. That game was a mess!

 

[Nikolokolus]

To be honest, I don't think that scrimmage is indicative of anything. That game was a mess!

Did you watch it or are you talking about the brief clips we saw of Oden? In general, I agree that it looked mostly like guard driven rat ball with little posting up of the bigs and very few organized pick and rolls.

 

[TP3]

He looked slow, lazy, un-athletic, and was owned by a Lopez. Post play is all about position and Lopez kept him out of position every trip down the floor. We need a post coach...a real post coach...not a legend who has never coached before. This guy needs someone to get into his head and teach him to be a man and a competitor.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I think he was never sold on Oden. I remember between the draft lottery and the draft, he began speculating that perhaps Durant should be the Blazers' choice.

My hat is off to him them.

Could you imagine:

Miller, Roy, Durant, Aldridge, Priz . . . got to be one of the best starting line ups in the league and a dynasty for years.

 

[Minstrel]

My hat is off to him them.

Could you imagine:

Miller, Roy, Durant, Aldridge, Priz . . . got to be one of the best starting line ups in the league and a dynasty for years.

I think Oden was the right pick and I'd still prefer Oden. But Roy/Durant/Aldridge would be a fantastic trio, too.

 

[Idog1976]

I think Oden was the right pick and I'd still prefer Oden. But Roy/Durant/Aldridge would be a fantastic trio, too.

Yep, Roy wanted Oden and Aldridge initially wanted Durant. Something I read in a Quick article from summer 2007ish about a trip to the airport and some such. No luck chasing this article down last time I tried. Regardless, I have often thought that Roy + Durant is lesser then the sum of it's parts. Both are incredible offensive weapons but Durant makes Roy look like all-defensive team. Roy apparently wanted Oden and I can't help but think it might have had to do with how much Roy knew Durant would want the ball.

 

[PapaG]

Yep, Roy wanted Oden and Aldridge initially wanted Durant. Something I read in a Quick article from summer 2007ish about a trip to the airport and some such. No luck chasing this article down last time I tried. Regardless, I have often thought that Roy + Durant is lesser then the sum of it's parts. Both are incredible offensive weapons but Durant makes Roy look like all-defensive team. Roy apparently wanted Oden and I can't help but think it might have had to do with how much Roy knew Durant would want the ball.

I've read the sports page in the Oregonian every day for the past 10 years, at least. I do not recall any article that stated that LMA wanted Durant, and Roy wanted Oden. I would remember that if it were true.

It isn't true. You are spreading lies.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I've read the sports page in the Oregonian every day for the past 10 years, at least. I do not recall any article that stated that LMA wanted Durant, and Roy wanted Oden. I would remember that if it were true.

It isn't true. You are spreading lies.

That seems rather harsh. I don't recall reading anything about Roy prefering Oden, but I do recall LMA speaking highly of Durant. (hardly surprising, given that they are both former Texas Longhorns)

 

[KingSpeed]

Not offensively, but he's received only glowing comments about his defense and his rebounding. It was more I think that Henry has a tendency to exaggerate the awkwardness of Greg to try to suggest impartial observation. For instance he suggests in the video that Greg falls down a lot, whereas he only 'fell' down once. He did throw himself to the floor several times to get a rebound which I would classify from differently than falling down.

Then the two years comments which he makes totally out of context. Greg has played about 67 nba games at an average of 22ish minutes a game, that's not anywhere near two years .

Bingo!! More than 2 years in the NBA mix? Ridiculous.

 

[axs88]

Did you watch it or are you talking about the brief clips we saw of Oden? In general, I agree that it looked mostly like guard driven rat ball with little posting up of the bigs and very few organized pick and rolls.

No, just the brief clips. It looked to me like a rookie-sophomore game with hustle and defense.

 

[Idog1976]

I've read the sports page in the Oregonian every day for the past 10 years, at least. I do not recall any article that stated that LMA wanted Durant, and Roy wanted Oden. I would remember that if it were true.

It isn't true. You are spreading lies.

I will find it. You are wrong. It may take awhile. Roy and LMA went to the airport to meet both Durant and Oden. LMA liked Durant due to Texas connection. Roy wanted Oden. It's possible it was another news source but I thought it was Quick. I will find it to prove you wrong and then I will block your worthless posts that just tear others down.

 

[Idog1976]

I've read the sports page in the Oregonian every day for the past 10 years, at least. I do not recall any article that stated that LMA wanted Durant, and Roy wanted Oden. I would remember that if it were true.

It isn't true. You are spreading lies.

I found this so far and still looking. It appears this article was removed from the Oregonian archives which is odd:

Who's No. 1? Still too soon for Pritchard

Sunday, June 17, 2007
JASON QUICK

Twelve days remain until the Trail Blazers have to make a decision between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, and the way general manager Kevin Pritchard describes it, there still is heavy debate within the office walls between who to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the June 28 NBA draft.

Coach Nate McMillan admits he is leaning toward Oden, the 7-foot center. And Pritchard says others on his basketball operations staff are adamant that Durant, the high-scoring forward, is the right pick.

And Pritchard?

"I guarantee I haven't made up my mind," he said with a straight face. "Guarantee it. No way. I owe it to this organization to have an open mind until they come here."

Oden will arrive in Portland on Tuesday, and will take part in a 75-minute workout Wednesday before leaving Thursday morning. Durant will arrive Thursday, work out Friday and leave Saturday.

"I wish it was today," Pritchard said of the workouts. "This is the biggest decision this organization has had in a long time. If we make the right decision, we will be on our way."

If this was a court of public opinion, Pritchard admits that Oden would be the easy choice. All Pritchard has to do is look at his e-mail, which has been flooded with one-, or two-word responses since the team erected five billboards around town asking motorists to honk once for Oden and honk twice for Durant.

"I've received a lot of honk-once e-mails," Pritchard said smiling.

But the smile quickly ceased. With steely eyes that suggested all seriousness, Pritchard once again stirred the debate that has consumed Portland since the Blazers won the draft lottery on May 22.

"I'm a risk taker," Pritchard said. "I'm not afraid to go against the current. I'm not. I'm not."

Another factor in the decision will come into play this week, when Oden and Durant arrive at Portland International Airport for their visits. Pritchard said the team will send standout rookies Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, who like Durant attended the University of Texas, to pick up the prospects.

"LaMarcus has already said he is leaning one way, and Brandon is going the other way," Pritchard said. "So, the debate starts all over again."

Ultimately, the responsibility for the decision falls to Pritchard, the first-year general manager who made a name for himself at last year's draft by eschewing fan sentiment to pick Adam Morrison. Instead, he and then president/general manager Steve Patterson pulled off two trades that landed Aldridge and Roy.

In the past month, there appeared to be a decided swell of momentum toward picking Oden. The Ohio State freshman posted eye-popping measurements and statistics at the NBA's predraft camp in Orlando, Fla., and showing amazing skills while going through a series of drills. Durant, meanwhile, had lackluster numbers in the Orlando testing, including being unable to bench press 185 pounds and an indifferent performance in the drills.

In the meantime, former NBA greats such as Bill Walton, as well as several other current NBA general managers, have insisted that Oden is the clear-cut choice. Not one person outside of Durant's camp is on record saying that Durant should be the top pick.

Still, Pritchard insists that he hasn't decided. When pressed on how he hasn't decided with everyone else that Oden is the pick, Pritchard was quick with his response.

"Look at the first half of Durant's game against Kansas," Pritchard said. "Watch that game and tell me it's an easy choice."

The game Pritchard spoke of was March 3, when Durant scored 25 points in the first half against the Jayhawks. The next week, in the Big 12 championship game, Durant scored 37 points against Kansas to go along with 10 rebounds and six blocks.

If the decision will come down to this week's workouts and interviews, as Pritchard says it will, the general manager admits he doesn't know what could be the determining factor.

"That's why I can't say," Pritchard said. "A lot of times it's one thing -- like Brandon last year. He said with a lot of conviction that 'I put my teammates first.' When he said that, boom, that was it. But I want to be able to talk to these guys, see them in the gym."

McMillan, meanwhile, has been more willing to reveal his gut instincts. It was suggested to him that he seems to be leaning toward Oden, and he nodded while smiling.

"I think I could go with either one, but I think it just makes sense (with Oden)," McMillan said. "I think the NCAA championship game made everybody go Oden. The way he played in that game, I could see the dominating player."

However, McMillan acknowledged that not everybody inside the Blazers' offices share his opinion.

"We are close though," McMillan said. "I think everybody is getting close. And that's why everybody is anxious to see these guys come in here. Me, I just can't wait to see (Oden) move. I've never seen him live."

Another factor in the decision will be owner Paul Allen, who will attend the workouts of Oden and Durant. Pritchard said Allen has a slight preference, but wouldn't reveal for which player.

"It tends to make you a little schizophrenic, doesn't it?" Pritchard said. "You watch film and find yourself going back and forth. But that's what makes this fun."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1181969712293820.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=244&f=2866&t=636533

and again Here

http://forums.nykfp.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21758

you will note that this article can't be found in the Oregonian archives which is strange and the link that site has is broken...

It doesn't say who wanted which one, but it's pretty obvious who wanted who. I know you won't admit you are wrong. You never do, which is part of why I'm blocking you going forward, but it is clearly implicit in these statements that there was a divide between the two. LMA it is clear to me wanted his fellow longhorn.
I'm still looking for the article by some Oregon sports write (could be Eggers or Holdahl or someone other then Quick).

I will post it when I find it. Until then, seriously, post something worthhile and quit just living to tear down others it gets real old buddy.

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

I found this so far and still looking. It appears this article was removed from the Oregonian archives which is odd:



http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=244&f=2866&t=636533

and again Here

http://forums.nykfp.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21758

you will note that this article can't be found in the Oregonian archives which is strange and the link that site has is broken...

It doesn't say who wanted which one, but it's pretty obvious who wanted who. I know you won't admit you are wrong. You never do, which is part of why I'm blocking you going forward, but it is clearly implicit in these statements that there was a divide between the two. LMA it is clear to me wanted his fellow longhorn.
I'm still looking for the article by some Oregon sports write (could be Eggers or Holdahl or someone other then Quick).

I will post it when I find it. Until then, seriously, post something worthhile and quit just living to tear down others it gets real old buddy.

I appreciate (okay, not really) you wasting your entire day searching for this evidence on this insignificant topic, but you've still failed to find an article that said Lamarcus wanted Durant and Roy wanted Oden.

2nd, let's assume your ASSUMPTION is correct, and those are the players they were each leaning towards... That's all it says, LEANING TOWARDS. That hardly means their was a divide between the two, it could mean they're leaning 51% one way. Big deal, especially two years after the fact when the three of them get along just fine.

And 3rd, it took me all of five minutes to find a similar statement in the oregonian archives:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/06/cool_move_hot_topic.html

Another nugget: Pritchard says that Roy and Aldridge are leaning toward favoring different players. Which ones? Who knows.

I'm guessing research isn't your strongest trait. Could have saved you a few hours...

Anyways, I'll let you get back to fighting the good fight. Pretty important stuff...

 

[illmatic99]

Actually, I remember reading somewhere LA wanted GO. He made some comments about comparing them two to Timmy and Robinson.

 

[Ed O]

Anyways, I'll let you get back to fighting the good fight. Pretty important stuff...

I don't blame him for finding an article that someone has called him a liar about. Whether it took him 5 minutes or two weeks doesn't really matter much, does it?

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

Actually, I recall the article you forgetful, slanderous deleted. Though the article did not spell out which player wanted whom, it was insinuated that Aldridge wanted Durant because of the Texas connection, it was also speculated on by others in the media.

Perhaps you're getting old and forgetful and should be less accusatory.

I'm also blocking you from here on out because I believe you've made a total of 5 worthwhile posts, ever. Everything else is just rushing to the defense of any and all journalists and ripping on other posters for alleged lack of credibility. As long as Canzano is an award winning columnist, I reserve my motherfucking right to bash reporters. The print media is dying, the people have spoken, no one gives a fuck about a special group of "journalists" who think they can decide what news is or isn't.
Isaiah Thomas and Keven McHale were both GM's and Coaches. I reserve the right to question GM's and Coaches and occasionally assert that I know more than they do. Just because I'm "only a fan" doesn't mean I don't hold a sophisticated understanding of basketball both on the court and in the front office. I may not, but YOU DON'T FUCKING KNOW THAT. So welcome to my blocked list for being a presumptuous, accusatory, credibility nazi.

So, the article stating that LMA definitely wanted Durant and the Roy definitely wanted Oden exists? I've yet to see it posted in this thread, or any thread.

Boo-hoo, and a very nice meltdown. I have no clue who you are, and what you post, so I can't really say that I'll miss conversing with you. If you can't handle an opinion being challenged, perhaps it's time to take a break from the internet.

 

[PapaG]

I don't blame him for finding an article that someone has called him a liar about. Whether it took him 5 minutes or two weeks doesn't really matter much, does it?

Ed O.

I've yet to see an article where LMA says he wanted Durant, and Roy says he wanted Oden.

Period. I have not seen it. Find me those players saying this, and I'll take back my "liar" accusation. Pritchard pontificating on players "leaning" a certain way does nothing to prove the very strong assertion made about which of the then-rookies LMA and Roy wanted to see on the team.

 

[PapaG]

It doesn't say who wanted which one, but it's pretty obvious who wanted who. I know you won't admit you are wrong. You never do, which is part of why I'm blocking you going forward, but it is clearly implicit in these statements that there was a divide between the two. LMA it is clear to me wanted his fellow longhorn.
I'm still looking for the article by some Oregon sports write (could be Eggers or Holdahl or someone other then Quick).

You are saying that LMA definitely wanted Durant, and Roy wanted Oden. Prove it.

As for blocking me, that's the coward's way out.

 

[Ed O]

I've yet to see an article where LMA says he wanted Durant, and Roy says he wanted Oden.

Period. I have not seen it. Find me those players saying this, and I'll take back my "liar" accusation. Pritchard pontificating on players "leaning" a certain way does nothing to prove the very strong assertion made about which of the then-rookies LMA and Roy wanted to see on the team.

You need direct quotes of them saying that, but you bitched for two months about the Blazers suing the NBA and Memphis Grizzlies and whomever else.

You need direct quotes of them saying that, but you have been complaining about how unfair the Blazers have been with Brandon Roy.

OK. Whatever.

It's clear to me that the article reported that LA preferred one of the two and Roy preferred another. It reported that Pritchard said that.

Is the article lying? Maybe. Is KP? Perhaps.

Is Idog lying? I don't think so. And if you're going to call another poster a liar and then are confronted with such clear evidence of what he was talking about, you should at least have the courage to admit that, while you might think he's mistaken, he's not a liar.

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

You need direct quotes of them saying that, but you bitched for two months about the Blazers suing the NBA and Memphis Grizzlies and whomever else.

What does that have to do with this situation? I wanted the Blazers to sue Memphis. That was my opinion.

You need direct quotes of them saying that, but you have been complaining about how unfair the Blazers have been with Brandon Roy.

Yes, again, an opinion.

OK. Whatever.

Whatever indeed.

It's clear to me that the article reported that LA preferred one of the two and Roy preferred another. It reported that Pritchard said that.

Is the article lying? Maybe. Is KP? Perhaps.

Great. It doesn't mention which player was leaning which way. That's already been pointed out.

Is Idog lying? I don't think so. And if you're going to call another poster a liar and then are confronted with such clear evidence of what he was talking about, you should at least have the courage to admit that, while you might think he's mistaken, he's not a liar.

LMA is leaning one way, Roy is leaning the other, says the GM who is about the vaguest guy in the NBA. If that is clear evidence, then I guess we have different interpretations on what defines clear evidence.

Saying that LMA definitely wanted Durant, and that Roy wanted Oden, is a lie according to what is available in the public record. Is it an intentional lie? No, it appears to come from assumption, but the fact is there is no indication from either player who they wanted the team to draft.

Dragging up my views on Memphis/Miles and the Roy contract negotiations are totally superfluous to the rest of your post, BTW. I thought you were better than that.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I really don't understand what people are getting so worked up about.

I clearly remember LMA saying positive things about Durant.....and I don't know why anybody what consider that surprising or controversial. As to whether Roy expressed a preference for Oden - who cares? It wouldn't surprise me if he did - but what does it matter now?

Right or wrong, the Blazers made the choice they did. The reasons no longer matter. We just have to hope it proves to be the right one. (and I say that as someone who was on the Durant bandwagon until Oden's impressive display at the combine finally seduced me)

 

[Idog1976]

What does that have to do with this situation? I wanted the Blazers to sue Memphis. That was my opinion.



Yes, again, an opinion.



Whatever indeed.



Great. It doesn't mention which player was leaning which way. That's already been pointed out.



LMA is leaning one way, Roy is leaning the other, says the GM who is about the vaguest guy in the NBA. If that is clear evidence, then I guess we have different interpretations on what defines clear evidence.

Saying that LMA definitely wanted Durant, and that Roy wanted Oden, is a lie according to what is available in the public record. Is it an intentional lie? No, it appears to come from assumption, but the fact is there is no indication from either player who they wanted the team to draft.

Dragging up my views on Memphis/Miles and the Roy contract negotiations are totally superfluous to the rest of your post, BTW. I thought you were better than that.

I Looked for awhile and can't find the article. I know I read it online. However, I feel the article I found shows that Roy wanted one player and LMA wanted another. Unfortunately, it's damn hard to find anything from that period of time (it was either summer 2007 or 2008) due to the Oden and Durant keywords bringing up about 9,000 hits and none of the other keywords I can find bring it up. It's strange that they changed the article and reworded it. I am not going to waste anymore of my time looking for this article as it is much harder to find. Hurakane seems to remember it so that at least makes me feel better that I didn't imagine it. The article I am recalling was some kind of in depth thing that I swore quick wrote where Aldridge and Roy drove to the airport to pick up Oden and both were excited and LMA said he wanted Durant and Roy was saying what about Oden though? They bantered about it and supposedly LMA changed his mind after meeting Oden and agreed with Roy that Oden was the choice. The assumption I made, and I will own this, is WHY Roy didn't want Durant. In the now infamous article that I can't find he quite clearly wanted Oden but the reason was not given. I made an assumption that it was due to touches and it IS an assumption. I've wasted enough time on this.

I'm sure you feel that you were correct as I couldn't find that article. I admit I could not find the article I remember (which is odd) and it certainly doesn't appear in the archives that I could find. So you win the "you can't find that specific article" part if you like. On the other hand the article I DID find shows quite clearly that Pritchard said Roy wanted one player and Durant the other. If that doesn't satisfy you that's fine. Thankfully for me I won't have to read your stuff anymore Papag. Maybe if I see someone respond to something you say that is interesting I will unblock to read it and leave you unblocked. By the way since I Un-blocked Odenisgod you are now the sole member of my block party. Enjoy it, I know I will.

 

[Idog1976]

I really don't understand what people are getting so worked up about.

I clearly remember LMA saying positive things about Durant.....and I don't know why anybody what consider that surprising or controversial. As to whether Roy expressed a preference for Oden - who cares? It wouldn't surprise me if he did - but what does it matter now?

Right or wrong, the Blazers made the choice they did. The reasons no longer matter. We just have to hope it proves to be the right one. (and I say that as someone who was on the Durant bandwagon until Oden's impressive display at the combine finally seduced me)

Yeah, I don't really get it either. Not a fan of being called a liar is all. If he had said your memory is poor (which might be the case) that's one thing. Saying I'm spreading lies, to me is quite another. I shouldn't have gotten heated about it clearly.

 

[PapaG]

I Looked for awhile and can't find the article. I know I read it online. However, I feel the article I found shows that Roy wanted one player and LMA wanted another. Unfortunately, it's damn hard to find anything from that period of time (it was either summer 2007 or 2008) due to the Oden and Durant keywords bringing up about 9,000 hits and none of the other keywords I can find bring it up. It's strange that they changed the article and reworded it. I am not going to waste anymore of my time looking for this article as it is much harder to find. Hurakane seems to remember it so that at least makes me feel better that I didn't imagine it. The article I am recalling was some kind of in depth thing that I swore quick wrote where Aldridge and Roy drove to the airport to pick up Oden and both were excited and LMA said he wanted Durant and Roy was saying what about Oden though? They bantered about it and supposedly LMA changed his mind after meeting Oden and agreed with Roy that Oden was the choice. The assumption I made, and I will own this, is WHY Roy didn't want Durant. In the now infamous article that I can't find he quite clearly wanted Oden but the reason was not given. I made an assumption that it was due to touches and it IS an assumption. I've wasted enough time on this.

I'm sure you feel that you were correct as I couldn't find that article. I admit I could not find the article I remember (which is odd) and it certainly doesn't appear in the archives that I could find. So you win the "you can't find that specific article" part if you like. On the other hand the article I DID find shows quite clearly that Pritchard said Roy wanted one player and Durant the other. If that doesn't satisfy you that's fine. Thankfully for me I won't have to read your stuff anymore Papag. Maybe if I see someone respond to something you say that is interesting I will unblock to read it and leave you unblocked. By the way since I Un-blocked Odenisgod you are now the sole member of my block party. Enjoy it, I know I will.

I was harsh by saying you were spreading lies. I apologize for doing so. Stating that one player wanted Durant, and the other wanted Oden, seemed like a bigger deal to me at the time than it is in reality. It didn't happen, but I can see how someone could take KP's quote and attach an assumptive meaning to it.

Enjoy ODENISGOD, seems like a logical person to Un-block, and please keep me updated on your blocking and Un-blocking activities. In the meantime, I'll be awaiting your next adventure in Imaginary Trade Land!