Pick dissappointment?

by rpxxxiv on May 27, 2007 9:19 PM PDT

I was thinking about a familiar question but from a different angle. I've been sensing that there are brewing sentiments being built in each draft camp. For many, Oden belongs on this team and will bring us many championships. For others, Durant could be the next <[Insert GOAT Reference Here]]>.

My point is, there is discussion and rational that is persuasive, relative and thought provoking, but that's not the purpose of this post.

Last year, the Blazers faced the challenge of appeasing the fans, without caving into fan sentiment. Boldly, KP and then GM Steve Patterson selected Brandon Roy and Lamarcas Aldridge, instead of fan favorite Adam Morrison. The Blazers received some short lived criticizm and it took only a few looks at Brandon to know that we made the right decision.

So now, finally to my quesion. If, on draft day David Stern comes to the podium and announces, "With the first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft the Portland Trailblazers select..." <[Insert not the player that you had thought would be picked]>

You may think that this is just another way to discuss whether Portland should pick Oden or Durant. It's not.

For anyone who has read my approach, I like to discuss "Fan Impact" and "Community Relationship" involving the franchise.

I feel that it was sites like this one that helped dampen any of the initial negative feedback by some of the media outlets who drove the Adam Morrison push.

Would you question the decision making skills of Blazer Management, based on the discussions in this forum, if he selected the other guy?

Poll

How would you feel if the Blazers picked the <[Other Guy]>?

I'd get over it in 2 seconds.

18 votes

Well, at least we're not the Cetics.

19 votes

What the hey, I wasn't expecting the top pick anyway.

9 votes

Are you kidding me? The only reason I post is to convince KP that I could run the team.

2 votes

Devistated, because I think that Adam Morrison would have made a better addition to our team and last year I called it.

2 votes

I'm glad he did because I like to be surprised by my team. Keeps it interesting.

2 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

That is not a fair poll

If the poll question were, "What is your favorite type of cheese?" and one of the answers was, "Well, at least we're not the Celtics", I would still want to select it.

I want my front court aLaMOde!!

by shenanigans on May 27, 2007 9:46 PM PDT reply actions

From what I know...

...about Oden and Durant at this point, I could live with either one, knowing someone more savvy than me did the homework and made the right choice. If the pick was anyone besides those two, my trust level of that certain someone would drop like a rock.

"...though you may fail...aim at something high." Henry David Thoreau

by Dr Dave on May 27, 2007 9:50 PM PDT reply actions

Add To That...

Given the nature of NBA injuries and what bling can to do people... it could just as easy hapen to one or both of these players.

I could see Oden being injury propne and Durant becoming a prima donna pretty easy.

Either way, so far as I'm concerned, we win. We're going to draft a premier player and then let the chips fall where they may.

by blazerprophet on May 27, 2007 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

We Have to Remember

We are lucky to even be in this situation. Oden or Durant? Are you kidding? 29 other teams would love to say they could choose either one of them. And the Blazers can. So if they do select the underdog pick, which is Durant, I will be disapointed, but I'll still remember that we are lucky to even have him.

by sammyHbaby33 on May 27, 2007 10:53 PM PDT reply actions

Well said, Dr. Dave.

-If we do take Durant, I'd have to believe KP has a ton of faith in LMA developing into that 5 we thought was POSSIBLE from the beginning. I mean, if we can have our cake (with LMA) AND THEN take Durant...That would be the ONLY way I could see passing on Oden.
The only huge beef with LMA has been...beef. Right? Sure, Oden has 40 lbs. and 1" on him and I THINK LaMarcus has 1" (7'5") on Oden in wing-span. But LMA at 240# right now could go another 20-25# without any problem and even at 250# could be adequate in KP's eye's size wise to take Durant. I also think after listening to both Durant and LMA, Aldridge just seemed to have a higher IQ to me anyway, but that may not be fair.
But really folks, Aldridge has GREAT SKILLS and very good size and I'm just trying to make an argument in what may be KP's justification in choosing KD. However, don't get me wrong, I WANT ODEN!!!!!!

by edgeguy42 on May 27, 2007 11:16 PM PDT reply actions

I'd be mad with Durant

Oden just seems so much better. I'd be mad we gave him to our division rival. I wouldn't care if we gave Durant to Seattle.

by robrun2 on May 28, 2007 3:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Heights

Aldridge has 1" (6'11" instead of 6'10") on height. Wing span is the same for both at 7'5"

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on May 28, 2007 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

ummm

it's morning, you were talking about oden... never mind

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on May 28, 2007 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions

KP was chosen

as the new GM precisely because he excels at player evaluation. I will not be disappointed with whoever they pick. And really, ya know, both of these guys are going to be great. I doubt Seattle is crying too much that they have the second pick, regardless of who we choose.

by JPop on May 28, 2007 3:09 AM PDT reply actions

i was never rooting for the #1 pick

i didnt want to jinx thing so i was always hoping (but REALLY HOPING) for #2. and i think lamarcus is so good he's been almost forgotten by some. i've always thought he could easily start at the 5.

two towers with oden and lamarcus vs plugging in the unbelievable durant. it's like two versions of heaven.

ignacio

by ignacio on May 28, 2007 7:14 AM PDT reply actions

Yep

We really can't go wrong.

by blazerprophet on May 28, 2007 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I will be happy with whomever we pick

but that wasn't an option.

People with more info and experience than me will be making the decision, and they showed in last years draft that they can make GOOD decisions. I trust whatever KP does.

It's not one of those situations where you have idiots in office that don't know what to do with the information supplied to them. KP is VERY savvy!

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on May 28, 2007 10:46 AM PDT reply actions

I sort of thought

that was option #1, so feeling the same way as you I choose #1

What I REALLY want is the guy that is going to be the better player three-five years from now. Since my crystal ball is in for repairs I certainly have no idea which one that is. There might be a sleeper in the draft who outshines both of them. Roy is our boy now, but 3 yrs from now there might be some questions - should we have taken someone else?

As several have said, the draft is a crap shoot. Last year we got a seven AND eleven (as well as #12) (and all 3 were out with injuries for part of the season)... this year? Roll the dice! I'll take whomever KP chooses and be happy (emotion subject to yearly reevaluation.)

by jorga on May 28, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree with you

but i said i'd be over it in 2 seconds because the first one seemed to say i didn't care either way and i was just passively happy.

I think durant will be the best player, but I'm becoming convinced that Oden will give us more championships... but who knows!!!

Oh MAN it's difficult!

I'd feel better about passing on oden if it wasn't for the fact i knew we'd need to play AGAINST him!

Then again, is that better than playing against Durant?

Life is soooooo GOOD!!!

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

by ratbastird on May 28, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

KP kept insisting his philosophy

-is taking the "best player" and that I think takes Durant. However, wouldn't following that line of logic EVERY TIME potentially give us 15 SF's?
I think there's a difference in evaluating player talent, and evaluating team needs...

by edgeguy42 on May 28, 2007 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

Happy

I will be incredibly happy with either pick, though I've been vocal about picking Oden.

I do hate that if we make the wrong choice (no real wrong choice, how about 'less awesome'), the right one will be playing down the street in Seattle.

by matthewcc on May 29, 2007 9:03 AM PDT reply actions