Some Blazer answers

On David Thorpe chat today.

Too long for FanPost and its an insider article so no linking.

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Poops (PDX): More suprising start? Denver, Portland, Dallas?

 David Thorpe: Portland, as Denver looked this good on paper the minute the trade went down.

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KP (Portland): I don't want to toot my own horn but...Wouldn't you say I have had the best drafts out of any GM over the past few years.

 David Thorpe: Toot away.

Dan (lincoln, NE): I really like your rookie rankings but Batum is way to low (below Koufos).

 David Thorpe: Perhaps. But he's asked to do so little. I'll re-evaluate again this week.

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Will J (Portland, OR): Is Rudy Fernandez in your top 3 for 6th man of the year?

 David Thorpe: Sorry-server took a timeout. I don't follow that award. Ask Mo Brooks!

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Clark (Durham, NC): Who do you think wins the Northwest division now? Portland, Utah, or Denver?

 David Thorpe: Leaning to Denver.

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Greg Oden (Portland,Or): I really feel comfortable being a catch and finish guy. However I want to solidify my #1 draft spot. How can Improve my game? Face up series? or keep it Shaqly?

 David Thorpe: Keep it Shaqly (now that's a great name for a sitcom!!).

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Jake (Tampa,Fl): Rudy Fernandez is the truth! Do you see him becoming a better pro than Manu Ginobili?

 David Thorpe: No, but I think Manu is a top 5 shooting guard on the planet.

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Mike (Boston, MA): With all the talk about Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez, is it possible that Nick Batum is the Blazer rookie with the most upside potential? He's 19 and he's already the best defender on the team. And he's got much better offensive skills than Scottie Pippen did early in his career.

 David Thorpe: No, it's not possible that he has the most potential. He's nice though.

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The Enlightened (Logicville): A wiser man than myself once said that people find their stance, then formulate an argument to prove it. This is happening with Greg Oden. No matter how many average/below-average performances he gives, and no matter how little evidence exists of his dominance (you say NCAA title game, I say five points at home against Northwestern), he still is given the benefit of the doubt as to becoming the next Russell/Kareem/Shaq/Brando/John Lennon rolled into one. *Could* happen, but sorry -- not enough there to count on it.

 David Thorpe: You just proved their point. When you have dominant games in an NCAA title game, and in state title games and AAU title games, etc., people assume you are going to learn to do it again and again.

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Don (Oregon): Will Jerryd Bayless ever be successful in Portland?

 David Thorpe: Sure. It's early.

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LOT of Blazer talk on the chatboard today.