Who thought the NW Division battle would be between Utah and OKC?

[KingSpeed]

That's what it's looking like. Great game right now. 129-129 going into OT. KD with 43. Ibaka with 13. Three Jazz with 20+ including 37 from DWill. I can't believe that OKC actually has a shot at the division title. I guess Ric Bucher was right.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I get Utah, but not OKC.

 

[craigehlo]

It just depresses me to see DWill vs Durant. Two players we should have drafted just killing it.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

It just depresses me to see DWill vs Durant. Two players we should have drafted just killing it.

It's amazing how many people NOW imply they wanted to draft Durant over Oden, but back at that time, it was about 99% for Oden.

But, to be fair, can you post a link to your implications?

As to "DWill", I forget... who did we pick ahead of him?

 

[KingSpeed]

I get Utah, but not OKC.

If OKC wins this game, they're only a half game behind Utah and one game behind Denver. OKC may lose this game, but they are competing for the title and that is amazing. They didn't make the playoffs last year and all they really added this year was Harden and Ibaka.

 

[KingSpeed]

It's amazing how many people NOW imply they wanted to draft Durant over Oden, but back at that time, it was about 99% for Oden.

But, to be fair, can you post a link to your implications?

As to "DWill", I forget... who did we pick ahead of him?

Webster. We could've traded DWill but we traded down for two lower picks and took Webster and Jack.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Webster. We could've traded DWill but we traded down for two lower picks and took Webster and Jack.

Well, I can understand angst over that one.

 

[KingSpeed]

Holy crap. Green with the go-ahead. Thunder up 1 IN Utah with 5 secs to go.

 

[KingSpeed]

DWill for the lead with 1 sec left

 

[KingSpeed]

Holy crap! Durant was fouled. Fouled HARD. That is such BS. Jazz win.

 

[STOMP]

Holy crap! Durant was fouled. Fouled HARD. That is such BS. Jazz win.

I'd have gone with the no call too, Miles got the ball first

epic game/finish

STOMP

 

[craigehlo]

Utah home cooking is still in full effect. I suppose this is a good thing for our seeding though.

 

[EGame]

It's amazing how many people NOW imply they wanted to draft Durant over Oden, but back at that time, it was about 99% for Oden.

But, to be fair, can you post a link to your implications?

As to "DWill", I forget... who did we pick ahead of him?

It is clear at the time that the Oden pick was correct. Now seeing this guy always broken in half and Durant just looking like a true star and number 1 option is kind of sad. Roy could have easily played off of him well because he takes shots when he is called upon to do so, he could defer to Durant a lot, and we would have had two clutch guys. Of course, I still have faith in Oden, and he showed a lot of promise before he got hurt, but 1 more major injury and he will be calling it a career, I am afraid.

 

[KingSpeed]

Utah home cooking is still in full effect. I suppose this is a good thing for our seeding though.

Is it? This game makes it more likely that will play Utah in the playoffs.

 

[MIXUM]

and the chances of 1 more injury are almost 150%....

so oden is over

 

[craigehlo]

It's amazing how many people NOW imply they wanted to draft Durant over Oden, but back at that time, it was about 99% for Oden.

But, to be fair, can you post a link to your implications?

As to "DWill", I forget... who did we pick ahead of him?

We also passed on CP3.

As for Durant, GMs get fired over less than then passing on the best scorer since LeBron. KP said as much when he mentioned that Durant will win scoring titles, while Oden will win championships. Like somehow scoring precludes you from winning a title. Tell that to MJ and Kobe.

Fair or not, KP made the call of Oden after reviewing his medical files and he'll ultimately pay the price for the blunder.

 

[Tince]

Holy crap! Durant was fouled. Fouled HARD. That is such BS. Jazz win.

Kevin Garnett's post-game tirade just cost OKC the game.

 

[EGame]

We also passed on CP3.

As for Durant, GMs get fired over less than then passing on the best scorer since LeBron. KP said as much when he mentioned that Durant will win scoring titles, while Oden will win championships. Like somehow scoring precludes you from winning a title. Tell that to MJ and Kobe.

Fair or not, KP made the call of Oden after reviewing his medical files and he'll ultimately pay the price for the blunder.

KP was not running the show when we passed on Paul and Williams. That is not his fault. Looking at it now, yes passing on Durant was a mistake, but just about every GM would have done it assuming there were no medical concerns which may or may not have been the case. I just look back at that draft and wished we had the number 2 pick instead.

 

[STOMP]

It is clear at the time that the Oden pick was correct. Now seeing this guy always broken in half and Durant just looking like a true star and number 1 option is kind of sad. Roy could have easily played off of him well because he takes shots when he is called upon to do so, he could defer to Durant a lot, and we would have had two clutch guys. Of course, I still have faith in Oden, and he showed a lot of promise before he got hurt, but 1 more major injury and he will be calling it a career, I am afraid.

good grief. None of the injuries that Greg has sustained are projected to affect him long term... well except for having his tonsils removed

dude is 22 years old. We might be getting frustrated about him missing games, but the end of his hoops career is probably more then a decade off.

STOMP

 

[KingSpeed]

he mentioned that Durant will win scoring titles, while Oden will win championships. Like somehow scoring precludes you from winning a title. Tell that to MJ and Kobe.

I never understood that logic either. Plus, people say that you need a big man to win a championship. So be it, if they add a big man to the Thunder (like Gasol was added to the Lakers), then the Thunder will be contenders every year. Also- Ibaka is starting to look like a really good pick up.

 

[EGame]

good grief. None of the injuries that Greg has sustained are projected to affect him long term... well except for having his tonsils removed

dude is 22 years old. We might be getting frustrated about him missing games, but the end of his hoops career is probably more then a decade off.

STOMP

Where did I say anything about his current injuries affecting him long-term? Are you just making me say things you want me to say? I merely said, one more major injury (where he is out for the year), than i believe his career is essentially over because his body just can't hold up. I never said anything about his current/past injuries, any injury that takes him out long-term, whatever it may be, will probably end Oden's run at being a true/impact player in the NBA.

 

[craigehlo]

KP was not running the show when we passed on Paul and Williams. That is not his fault. Looking at it now, yes passing on Durant was a mistake, but just about every GM would have done it assuming there were no medical concerns which may or may not have been the case. I just look back at that draft and wished we had the number 2 pick instead.

Wasn't pinning passing on CP3, just adding to an earlier part of the thread on saying who else we passed on in the DWill draft. KP was rumored to be a CP3 fan for what it's worth.

In terms of the Durant pick, GMs are paid to make the tough calls for a reason. The buck stops with them. Fair or not, you will probably lose your job over it.

 

[KingSpeed]

KP was not running the show when we passed on Paul and Williams. That is not his fault. Looking at it now, yes passing on Durant was a mistake, but just about every GM would have done it assuming there were no medical concerns which may or may not have been the case. I just look back at that draft and wished we had the number 2 pick instead.

Maybe another blunder: Brandon Rush and Jack for Bayless

Wouldn't you rather have Jack right now? Rush would provide some nice scoring off the bench too. Rush for Bayless, I understand. But Rush and Jack has turned out to be lopsided.

 

[craigehlo]

I never understood that logic either. Plus, people say that you need a big man to win a championship. So be it, if they add a big man to the Thunder (like Gasol was added to the Lakers), then the Thunder will be contenders every year. Also- Ibaka is starting to look like a really good pick up.

If the Thunder can get Bosh, it's all over in the West for a while. Not sure if they have enough cap room though.

 

[KingSpeed]

Where did I say anything about his current injuries affecting him long-term? Are you just making me say things you want me to say? I merely said, one more major injury (where he is out for the year), than i believe his career is essentially over because his body just can't hold up. I never said anything about his current/past injuries, any injury that takes him out long-term, whatever it may be, will probably end Oden's run at being a true/impact player in the NBA.

I think that, even with another injury, if his heart is in it, he'll bounce back and have a decent career (like Grant Hill) but he won't be the greatest center in a generation like he was advertised to be.

 

[KingSpeed]

If the Thunder can get Bosh, it's all over in the West for a while. Not sure if they have enough cap room though.

I think they do.

 

[EGame]

Maybe another blunder: Brandon Rush and Jack for Bayless

Wouldn't you rather have Jack right now? Rush would provide some nice scoring off the bench too. Rush for Bayless, I understand. But Rush and Jack has turned out to be lopsided.

No, Jack had to go. It was his time. We got rid of a player, while solid, made some really bone headed plays at times and the cost just didn't make him worth keeping. While Bayless could have been better than Jack, it is not currently showing, but he came at a cheaper price, so the gamble was worth it. Plus, Bayless still has a chance to do well, maybe not at the PG spot, but if Rudy ends up leaving or we trade him or whatever, Bayless can back up Roy at his natural position and give us a scoring punch, hopefully.

 

[craigehlo]

Maybe another blunder: Brandon Rush and Jack for Bayless

Wouldn't you rather have Jack right now? Rush would provide some nice scoring off the bench too. Rush for Bayless, I understand. But Rush and Jack has turned out to be lopsided.

I'd say that was a Blunder since Bayless has become the new Telfair. The management has anointed him as the backup since last summer and we passed on making a deal to move up for someone like Ty Lawson and Darrin Collins. Both of which we had in for workouts. That makes me seriously question the staff's ability to evaluate PG talent.

 

[tlongII]

Bosh wouldn't help them that much. He's not a center.

 

[KingSpeed]

No, Jack had to go. It was his time. We got rid of a player, while solid, made some really bone headed plays at times and the cost just didn't make him worth keeping. While Bayless could have been better than Jack, it is not currently showing, but he came at a cheaper price, so the gamble was worth it. Plus, Bayless still has a chance to do well, maybe not at the PG spot, but if Rudy ends up leaving or we trade him or whatever, Bayless can back up Roy at his natural position and give us a scoring punch, hopefully.

Jack has turned out to be a terrific player. He's definitely better than Bayless. And if we kept Jack, we could've also kept Rush.