Kevin Durant: Rookie/Soph MVP
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 8:19 PM PST
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In a performance that will go down in All Star weekend history, Kevin Durant led the Sophomore squad to a 122-116 victory over the Rookie team, tallying 46 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. He shot 17 for 25 from the field, 4-8 from 3 point land and hit all 8 of his free throws, giving him a True Shooting Percentage of 8,352.
Durant's 46 points shattered the previous Rookie/Sophomore game scoring record of 36 previously held by Amar'e Stoudemire.
Durant was named game MVP.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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I thought I just stumbled into a Thunder blog
BTW, A Blazer played in the game as well.
The cake is a lie. Do not bake it.
by blzrfan on Feb 13, 2009 8:24 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
+9 for rudy
he had the best +/-. wade was an idiot leaving him out until 5 min left. they lost their lead once he left the court.
"Howard, he know me" Rudy
Oh come on
Beasley had to do his thing!
That’s why I did not want Wade coaching the rookies with one of his own team mates in there. Beasley did a nice job Zach Randolphing the rooks out of the game.
The problem was O.J. Mayo
He ruined the game for the rooks and kept Rudy on the bench, but I’m agree with you about Beasley Zach-Randolphing the rooks.
Rudy
acquitted himself pretty well, especially in the first half. His shot fell off a bit in the 2nd half, but I got the feeling the whole night his team-oriented style set the tone for his teammates for the first 26 minutes of the game. Once he came out partway through the 2nd Beasley and Mayo reverted to one on one me first play, and the rest of the team followed suit.
Yes, Durant took over on one end, but if the rookies would have been at least scoring SOMETHING at the other end, it wouldn’t have been enough.
Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.
Rudy would have been the MVP of the rookies (at least) if Dwayne Wade wasn't such a homer coach
Bricklayer Beasley was chucking threes, and O.J. “Ballhog” Mayo is a true successor to Kobe.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
Wow. That just doesn't sound like
something that would come from you Norsktroll. Did someone steal your identify?
But yeah, go Rudy. He’s so good for our team.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
I wouldn't want either one of those players
And I know the setting and I know it’s a stupid game, but you can see traits that are just horrible. Both of those guys will score lot’s of points but never will be on winners until the end of their careers when they sort of figure it out and are willing to come off the bench to help a good team. Meh.
"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.
by blazermaniac32 on Feb 13, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
Mayo may figure it out, but not Beasley
I can’t envision him every winning anything at all. But he’ll rack up plenty of money and stats.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
at least Greg Oden is day to day
and not out with another surgery (sarcasm)… Hey, I’m sure we made the right pick… Right??? anyone? Hello?
myspace.com/marktwainindians
Just wait until the next All-Star game, and then you will feel much better about it
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
yeah
I sure as hell hope so, because right now I’m feeling pretty damn disappointed about it
myspace.com/marktwainindians
It's useless to compare vastly different players. Both are good
I said it many times, Greg didn’t start to play 5 on 5 until end of August. A whole season and an off-season of training will put his abilities automatically on another level (or back to his college athleticism, however you want to see it). I would also not be surprised at all if he starts the next training camp sporting much improved post moves and a little ten foot jumper a la Ewing that he was working on but doesn’t rely on yet. With improved agility comes less foul trouble, etc.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
by Norsktroll on Feb 13, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Norks
you are much too rational. This is a knee jerk reaction thread and your nuanced view of reality is disturbing. /s off.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
if you liked the pick on draft day, you aren't in a position to 2nd guess it now.
I liked the Oden pick draft day, so I still think it was the right pick— made with good, sound logic.
Unfortunately, right now it looks like the results didn’t go our way.
Boomshakalaka
yeah
I guess you’re right. Honestly, not trying to play it safe, but I would have trusted KP’s and the rest of managements decision either way. They’re the pro’s, not me. I was stoked for “the idea” of Oden, but each game the “idea” is giving way to “reality”, and I hope I’m wrong. You are right though, not looking that good for us at this point.
myspace.com/marktwainindians
exactly my thought
I liked the pick then, have been defending it since. In truth, we still don’t know and won’t for a year or two more yet. but so far, it’s not good. There’s still time for it to equal out a lot more, and we can all hope and think that it will. But putting our homer blinders on and deriding Durant’s game in an effort to someone build up GO is not going to erase the results thus far.
Ask yourself this, if you could trade GO for KD straight up right now, would you do it?
Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.
yep. Microfracture was a bummer-- couldn't have been predicted.
Who knows if GO ever fully recovers?
While we’ll know a lot more by this time next year, and Oden can still become great (could still become more dominant than KD even), there’s no question I’d do that trade if I had the chance.
Boomshakalaka
And if you didn't like the pick
and expressed over and over a lot of reasons why it wasn’t the right one ….. well, it doesn’t inspire gloating at all because it’s GO who we Blazers have and need to depend on. If healthy he will be a lot better than he is currently, but just as I was pre-draft, I’m very nervous about his enthusiasm, love for basketball and energy. There were certainly red flags in that area.
I didn’t see it, but it sounded like a hell of a performance by Durant. Ben would have been remiss for not reporting it as most people saw it.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
by TwoDeep on Feb 13, 2009 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think its there, i just think he is tired of all the pressure
and negative publicity
It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Feb 14, 2009 9:42 AM PST up reply actions
KD is not doing anything that we didn’t expect IMO.
Yes, KD is silky smooth, and due to height (think Dirk) has a mismatch for almost anybody that’s guarding him, This we all new two years ago. Here’s what I saw two years ago, Man this guy is skinny, If you put a picture of KD and Sam Bowie side by side it’s eerie. My thoughts then were if anyone is like Bowie it’s KD, and that swayed me to Oden. Oden has a body like Lebron and nothing has changed with regard to their bodies or my opinions.
GO
THE TEACHER ......come into my classroom "THE PAINT" for some tutelage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The rancor reflected in that remark I won't dignify with comment. But I'll address your general attitude of hopeless negativism." – Everett "O Brother, where art Thou?"
I made this point on Day 1
I wouldn’t presume which of these guys is the more injury-prone player until their careers are much further along. The player Durant most resembles to me is Tracy McGrady—who has stuggled with injuries for many years.
Not that I wish Durant any harm. He seems like a great kid and is a joy to watch. I just wouldn’t be too quick to factor in Durant’s durability as a reason to feel bad about having passed on him. And it’s still WAY too early to determine which player will win more championships. Er, that IS the goal, isn’t it?
Durant was always viewed as further along in his development—and this before GO went down with the knee. The Blazers drafted GO based on his potential to become that rarest and most valuable of NBA commodities—a dominant inside presence. So far, we’ve seen plenty of flashes of that potential.
Patience, Blazer Nation…
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Plenty of flashes for sure.
Someone suggested watching a game and focusing solely on Oden a few weeks ago. I don’t do that, but a lot of times I’ll replay the last 20 seconds and then focus on Greg or another player. Greg is not a slow human being, he has cat like quickness when he knows what he wants to do.
That slow jog up the court fools most people. When he wants to move he’s like a 7 foot point guard.
GO
THE TEACHER ......come into my classroom "THE PAINT" for some tutelage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The rancor reflected in that remark I won't dignify with comment. But I'll address your general attitude of hopeless negativism." – Everett "O Brother, where art Thou?"
When you watch GO in isolation...
you also realize that, on the defensive end, he finds and effectively blocks out his man nearly EVERY time a shot goes up. (The exceptions being when he goes for the block.) That results in defensive rebounds for GO’s teammates. He similarly dominates the paint at the offensive end, drawing double-teams. A great big man affects the game in so many ways that don’t show up in stat sheets. GO is already demonstrating that capability. It’s not as pretty as a guy raining in 3-pointers and swooping to the hoop for dunks, but every bit as influential on wins & losses.
It will probably turn out that GO and Durant are BOTH great players who help their teams win. The Blazers could only pick one. Will it really be a disaster if the guy they got turns out to be slightly LESS great? Especially when you consider that the Blazers’ greater need was at the center postion.
That’s no blown pick, and we should all still be delighted even if that’s how it plays out. If you’ll recall, the Blazers had no business picking in the top two to begin with. So let’s enjoy and support our prize and stop with “the grass is greener on the Thunder side of the fence”
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
I wonder at what point
this travesty will be over. Durant is the better player the Blazers are doomed Bowie 5.0 etc. etc. Worst choice ever let’s lynch KP and shoot ourselves.
OK now can we stop talking about it? PLEASE? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD?!?!?!?
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
best case/worse case
Worst Case: It’s another Bowie Jordan. It’s been 25 years, and we are still hearing it, aren’t we? Be prepared for that
Best Case: GO is dominant, we win titles, and it’s more like Jordan/Hakeem. I can live with that.
NOTE: This is not saying that KD is MJ or even close, this is merely the media perception/hype differences between those scenarios.
Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.
Even if KD is better than DO
We won’t care when were deep into the playoffs while the OKC take another summer break.
I think some people
will be talking about how KD would look better next to Roy and Aldridge holding up that trophy then GO when he does it.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
don't sleep on okc.
they’re gonna be damn good in a couple of years. KD, Green and Westbrook is a great foundation, and they’ve got a lot of first round picks over the next couple of years. Brooks is doing a great job getting the most out of his roster. Presti’s shown great draft instincts. I’m definitely interested in what they’re about the next couple of years.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 2:35 AM PST up reply actions
Anyone else
think that KD resembles cliff robinson. At least his face. Not his game.
I'll post this again...
What was the bigger mistake?
Passing on CP3 for Martell? Or Passing on KD for Oden?
I like KD, but guys that play the same position such as LeBron and Kobe are better than him. CP3 is the best point guard. In fact, he’s the best pg since Magic and Isiah. KD is just not on that level.
So, if we can get over passing on CP3, we should definitely get over passing on KD.
Agree 100%
Jerryd Bayless is our FUTURE!! PLEASE DON"T TRADE HIM - TRUST IN KP!! Oh - and please Buy an RV from me and support Blazermania!!!!
Man, how can you not love a face like this.
by Flapbreaker on Feb 13, 2009 8:56 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
now i feel bad
I love GO, how could you not love that! I just wish he was better at basketball right now!
myspace.com/marktwainindians
GO's doing really, really well actually
considering the injury and all. I’m just concerned that (a) he might never regain full mobility post-microfracture and (b) KD is unreal.
Boomshakalaka
T Mac
Everyone always says that T Mac is KD’s ceiling… I PRAY that’s the case, because I can live with that. If his ceiling is crazy awesome baller I’m super bummed
myspace.com/marktwainindians
Why does everyone use that as an excuse?
Amare’s come back very well from micro fracture surgery. Kidd and Randolph too.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
it took Amare a full 2 years to get complete mobility back.
He missed all but 3 games one season, and in the next season he played well but didn’t have the same power as before. The following year, he was fully back. There’s reason for some hope that Oden will regain more athleticism that we are seeing now. No guarantee, certainly, but reason for some hope.
Neither Zbo or Kidd ever relied on athleticism, so its not as relevant a comparison.
Boomshakalaka
I love GO too. He's an intimidating guy.
I wish his game was farther along but we will just have to wait. He’ll get there and as long as the team is making runs into the playoffs I’ll be happy.
Agreed.
That picture is fantastic.
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
by rockingharder on Feb 13, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions
Wait a second...
Wasn’t Rudy the Blazer that played in the rookie game? I came here for analysis on his performance, and I stumble into Loud City.
I guess I’ll just have to wait until Dave gets a chance to watch the game.
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
sorry, rudy wasn’t the story tonight. he hit 4 threes, should have been given more playing time and finished with an impressive +/-. the big blazer story was covered in a previous thread.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 9:07 PM PST up reply actions
Could we still mention that it was one of the best games of the season for him?
I saw a facilitator who did everything expected of him, hit many of his shots not just from three and always tried to bring his teammates in the game. I really liked watching him out there.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
Oh, and did you notice his +/- in comparison to KD and EVERYONE else?
I know, just one game, but here it really supports his good play.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
yeah i mentioned that above. i’ve opened a thread for rudy talk.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 9:20 PM PST up reply actions
He definitley had a good game
But raw +/- (especially for one) game is a bad stat to use to support any claim.
Vinny Del Negro interviewed for the job today. I mean come on! Nobody else thinks this is nuts?
by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT actions actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 14, 2009 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
But for Blazer fans, he was!
I’m okay with the Kevin Durant mancrush, but not when it gets in the way of Blazer’s Edge’s mission. This is supposedly a blog by Blazer fans, for Blazer fans. People come here to get Blazer news, first and foremost. Other NBA news is secondary, including Kevin Durant.
What we want is analysis on our guy, Rudy Fernandez. If his story is that he should have been given more playing time, okay! Put that story on the front page. But “KD MVP” with absolutely nothing about Rudy is just insulting to Blazer fans. Especially those who are uneasy about the Oden situation and feel their stomach turn a little bit at any reference to Durant.
Please copy this post and paste it as a fanshot over at Loud City. That’s where this belongs, not on the front page at BLAZER’S Edge.
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
by rockingharder on Feb 13, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I'll ask one more time
what do you think the Blazers would look like right now had they selected Durant. This is not to say Oden won’t pan out (i’m an osu guy) but it’s clear that Durant is more of an impact player at this point in their careers. Last time I asked this question, the only responses I got were “a lot worse” and a bunch boos.
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
I'll try
Let’s put it this way: We definitely wouldn’t be searching for a starting small forward anymore. That position would be settled for good. Probably Nate would (have to) run more plays for the small forward, and with Roy setting him up as nicely as he can KD would score a lot yet likely not as much as he did for Seattle/OKC.
Instead, we would have a big question mark in the paint. Joel is a great backup, but we would be fooling ourselves if we assume we would go deep in the playoffs or win the championship with him as the go-to guy on 5. He is also not a youngling. That is a highly important position. Great centers rarely get traded (Shaq is one of the few who was, and instantly had an impact on his new team). If you found one, you keep him. So you have to “get your own one” in the draft. If KP can work his magic, we might have come out of the 2008 draft with Brook Lopez at best, who is more a Tim Duncan type than a true center but still could be really really good. At worst, we still would have no one to man the position and run around with Joel and some improvisations like Frye as center backup.
I know you can make arguments that the Bulls won multiple championships with a mediocre center, but I would assume Longley & Co. were at least on Joel’s level and well they had two of the all-time greatest players. MJ arguably the best ever or at least top 3. And Pippen at least top 3 all time on the position Durant is playing. Think about how many superstar small forwards there were. The list is about 5-6 even if you include LeBron.
Instead, think Dallas Mavericks in 2006, a team I know pretty well. The went all the way to the finals and had Harris (more inexperienced, but better than what we have right now), Dirk in his absolute prime, Jason Terry in a Ginobili role, Josh Howard in his best year, and good scorers like Marquis Daniels plus quality role players off the bench. It didn’t help. They narrowly escaped the Spurs in the second round with game 7 going to OT, then were beat by Wade and Shaq, and as much as I can try to blame the refs for sending Wade to the line time and again Dampier and Diop were just lost against Shaq in the paint. That made a huge difference.
Hope that helps to explain how and why I feel that way.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
by Norsktroll on Feb 13, 2009 9:33 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
the question is would KP have been able to land Brook Lopez in this year's draft
I’m guessing yes.
Boomshakalaka
ok
now you are really speculating. Lets start our foundation if we can go back multiple years in a draft with CP3 or heck lets have a Dynasty in the late 80’s thru the 90’s with the greatest back court ever Drexler and Jordan two combo guards who average 75 points due to their dual automatic double team status.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
How about if we get Sabas . . .
in 1986 ? How many championships do we win
then. Maybe he doesn’t get injured while playing for
Portland ?
All of this speculation fits into today’s INSTANT
gratification / Video game generation. I remember
my brother telling me over and over that Dwight Gooden
was going to be the greatest pitcher of all time in the
late 80’s. I told him to talk to me after ten years of consistancy.
33 years as a Blazermaniac says to be patient !
It's GO time !
Shaq went for
13.7 ppg, 10.2 rebs, 2.8 assists, 3.6 to, 0.8 blocks, 0.5 steals, and 3.7 pfs per game in the finals that season.
This was on 9.3 fga, 61% shooting, and 8 fta, 29% shooting. Yes, that’s right, 29% shooting on free throws. For an overall true shooting % of 53%.
Which isn’t all bad but not exactly hard to replace. I don’t think it’s reasonable to claim that shaq won that series, or that damp and diop didn’t do just fine defending Shaq.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:13 AM PST up reply actions
Starting: 0, 1, 0, 5, 2, 2. Backup: 8, 6, 14, 0, 5, 1
That was the production Dallas got out of their centers against Shaq and Mourning. And a ton of fouls on Wade and failure to intimidate him in any way when driving inside. Believe me, I have watched that series intensely, and Dallas was lost in the paint. Big guys matter.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
Is their being lost in the paint the reason
why Dallas went like 5 minutes without scoring in Game 3? If they don’t choke Game 3, they win that series, right?
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
and of course, I don't claim big guys don't matter.
every member of your team matters in the finals. A well coached finals squad is gonna pick on your weaknesses, and obviously damp/diop isn’t a center tandem for the ages.
but I don’t think shaq vs. damp/diop was the most critical story of that series. The most critical story was the game 3 choke job, and the refs being in wade’s pocket, and wade playing out of his mind.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:46 AM PST up reply actions
I blame the refs :)
There are many reasons, but jump shooting teams just have it harder than teams that can take it inside. Dallas never could. I doubt we as currently constructed will do much better, or OKC for that matter.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
That is until Greg starts to become dominant inside. Right now we are not that different, playing slow and shooting jumpers
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
BTW, I do like that Dallas comparison.
It’s an astute comparison, since I do think there’s something of Dirk’s in KD’s game. The efficiency and production without physical dominance is similar.
KD’s more explosive (like 12 points in 2 minutes type of explosive, although obviously physically more explosive as well). Much much more of a crunchtime guy – Dirk’s possible to take out of the game in a way that’s harder to do with a primary ballhandler like KD, and KD is very clutch – he’s made a lot of game winners and coulda been game winners.
So if you take that Dallas team and replace Dirk with someone who can produce offensively just as efficiently, and actually has the cojones and the composure not to fall apart in game 3, do they win the title? I say yes.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
I dare to say that Dirk was and is a lot harder to take out of a game than KD, at least in his current version
He is bigger, his turnaround shot is unstoppable, and he is plenty clutch. There is an endless supply of videos showing his game winners. And still like with Kobe it’s not enough if he has to do it mostly by himself in a series. We will see how Durant does in a playoff series when it matters. That is, once he reaches one.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
*shrug* Dirk has known issues handling smaller aggressive defenders.
it’s also possible to play defenses where you front him and deny him the ball. It’s harder to do that with someone like KD who rebounds the miss, brings it up the court, and sets up the offense.
I like dirk too, and it amuses me how horrified folks are around here when folks mention possibilities of a trade for him. But his playoff disappearing acts I imagine are a little hard for mavs fans to take.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:49 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, he is like LaMarcus in that regard
Greece is the best team in the world defending him by sending their big guards to double him with a forward. I haven’t watched KD long enough to see what works best against him, but I’m pretty sure in a playoff series a good coach would find something. He doesn’t yet have the decision making skills to always get the best shot and would likely start to chuck a lot of bad ones when properly contested. He has a better ability to drive than most forwards, but in a matchup with a good defensive team he would have to take more outside shots than a LeBron, Wade or so.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
about his size, though
isn’t the most common complaint about him that he doesn’t actually use his size? I know it drives me crazy he doesn’t post up inside or go hard at the basket as much as he so obviously could. Durant drives hard to the rim already and takes the contact at the bucket more than Dirk ever has.
God, Dirk would drive me crazy as my main guy.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:54 AM PST up reply actions
He uses his size to create separation for the turnaround/fallaway, not to post up and overpower guys
Though his drive has become much more dangerous than earlier in his career. E.g. last week in the game against Boston he managed to put the ball on the floor and drove to the basket for dunks against KG (plus fouls) and Perkins. But of course he is still not intimidating anyone in that regard.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
The Mavs are a great example of what the Blazers' fate might have been with Durant
Remember, folks: last night was an EXHIBITION. Virtually no defense was being played. That’s a gunner’s paradise. The polar opposite of an all-star exhibition? The NBA PLAYOFFS.
Now think back. Remember? The Mavs looked like world-beaters all regular season. Then they got into the playoffs, where open jumpers are hard to come by and physical paint play is rewarded, and they folded like a house of cards. If GO develops as expected (he was ALWAYS projected to be behind Durant in his development), he’ll prove to have been the correct pick. It’s all about the post-season—NOT about silly exhibition games.
Come on, Blazer fans: remember what the goal is. I’m sure Kevin Pritchard hasn’t forgotten.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
That point doesn't make sense.
Durant drives more than he shoots jumpers. So our problem with Durant would’ve been that we’d be even more of a jumpshooting team, even though he slashes more than anyone we have?
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 12:30 PM PST up reply actions
A little much, Ben
I usually like to be positive, but I’ve got to call this one out. We all know about the man-crush. KD is not a Blazer and never will be. If Rodney Stuckey dropped 46, would his picture be on the front page with no mention of Rudy?
I’m not sure it’s particularly helpful or entertaining to the fanbase to put KD front and center or say that Greg’s name doesn’t belong in the same sentence as “The One”. I’m sure I speak for others when I say it’s mostly irritating.
There are many other venues where you wouldn’t have to be as subtle in your feelings on the 2007 draft.
by Engineering Problem on Feb 13, 2009 9:07 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
this was the most impressive performance in the history of the rookie/sophomore game. if anyone had done it they would be on the main page.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
Perhaps
If my ex-girlfriend’s new beau is great in bed, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m interested in the details.
I think most in here like KD. He’s humble, focused, and mad skilled. He’s the prom queen and we’re dating the flat-chested pimple faced girl who’s probably going to fill out, but no one knows for sure.
by Engineering Problem on Feb 13, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
well i mean i can’t always post things you are interested in. if i could i absolutely would. trust me.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 9:32 PM PST up reply actions
What?
I’m confused by that comment. Do you mean you can’t always post Blazer news, because sometimes there are bigger NBA stories?
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
by rockingharder on Feb 13, 2009 9:34 PM PST up reply actions
everyone views every post differently. i can’t please everyone on every post. i try to take into account everyone’s interests when i write but it’s simply not possible.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 13, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
Gotcha.
That makes more sense. I was just a little lost in your wording.
I’m not trying to jump down your throat at every turn, I promise!
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
by rockingharder on Feb 13, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
You speak of the rookie-soph game as though it were the 7th game of the NBA Finals
…not a silly exhibition. This is comical to me. Will you afford the same coverage to the winner of the H-O-R-S-E competition? You might as well.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
no i didnt. i wrote a one paragraph game recap. come on.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 14, 2009 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe if it's Durant :)
Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.
"I want to put points on your face."
-Rudy to Pau Gasol
TRADE TRAVIS OUTLAW FOR A CHAIR
by rockingharder on Feb 14, 2009 1:31 PM PST up reply actions
Boy, I guess the villagers are gonna come after you with pitchforks if
rudy doesn’t win the slam dunk contest and you put up a non-blazer pic here Ben. Or if you post the ASG MVP and that doesn’t happen to be BRoy.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:20 AM PST up reply actions
wow
The AP is already calling GO “oft-injured.” Do they know he’s played in 45 straight games that count?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3906815
Boomshakalaka
The best part of the interview with Sager was that he asked him twice how disappointed he must be to be injured for the game
That’s why Sager is the man. Worth every cent and button of his suit.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
I've said it before and I'll say it again
and again and again: GO was the right pick for the Blazers. At the time (and very much like today) Portland was a team of jump shooters that had a up and coming go to guy at the two and an injury prone center. Two years later, Portland is a team of jump shooters with an All Star go to 2 guard, we have a promising young center who rebounds and finishes coming off major surgery, and the best backup center in the league who’s (knock on wood) working on a year where he doesn’t miss significant time with injury. KD will be a very good to great scorer for the duration of his career. But that doesn’t change my view that Oden was and still is the right one for the Blazers given the makeup of the teams.
An admission: After the OKC game, I said some things. Stupid things. Things about Nate not knowing how to coach GO. It was only then I realized that I was in danger of becoming that which I most loathe - an uninformed, knee jerk fan who reacts to wins with wild delusions of championships and losses with trade and firing fodder. I will not be that fan. From this point on I will support the Blazers, the coaches and front office wholeheartedly, offering praise and criticism appropriate to the matter at hand. I will never again be "that guy".
Blazeaddict
2/9/2009
by blazeraddict on Feb 13, 2009 9:10 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Defense wins championships.
Defense. Wins. Championships. When Oden gets more quickness back and learns how to play with the refs he will be a phenomenal defender. That’s what we need. Scoring is not a problem for us, and that’s really all KD does with any consistency right now. From the beginning KP and the gang have said the pick was not about who is better now, or who frankly who is better ever. It’s about who will bring the rings.
by JK47 on Feb 13, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
+1
This version of the Blazers is a TEAM in the true sense of the word. Roy is a superstar, so in that sense I think we could have a leg up on the Pistons who got 1 ring (I don’t know if he’s a Duncan caliber superstar, but our secondary guys are similar in a lot of respects to SAs – secondary stars in LMA, Oden Bayless (?), Rudy (?), good bench/role guys). Regardless, KPs put together a team that mirrors the formula to success utilized by the dominant franchises of this era, not as entertaining per se as “7 seconds or less” (which we may have turned into with a Durant/LMA frontcourt – fun lineup to watch no doubt) but if the ring is the thing, this is how you do it.
An admission: After the OKC game, I said some things. Stupid things. Things about Nate not knowing how to coach GO. It was only then I realized that I was in danger of becoming that which I most loathe - an uninformed, knee jerk fan who reacts to wins with wild delusions of championships and losses with trade and firing fodder. I will not be that fan. From this point on I will support the Blazers, the coaches and front office wholeheartedly, offering praise and criticism appropriate to the matter at hand. I will never again be "that guy".
Blazeaddict
2/9/2009
by blazeraddict on Feb 13, 2009 9:29 PM PST up reply actions
Right !!!
Go to the Youtube of the McDonalds High School
All America game at Cox/SDSU. GO blocked or changed
the first eight shots. Including blocks on K-Bone, Hawes,
etc ! Give him some time. Durant had a very poor shooting
% his rookie year. Why isn’t anyone talking about that. It
took him a year to get better. GO had major surgery
and he was already RAW ! Size matters !
It's GO time !
Durant looks to be living up to the hype
Odens had some good games against some of the NBAs doormats but other than that its been pretty bleak. At least he has not been hurt again(untill now) but I guess he was due. Durant winner by a knockout.
why can't we be happy for both.
Cheer on Oden because he’s a good kid, is going to be dominant for many years to come and is exactly what this team needs to win titles.
Also, enjoy dur ant (if you like) because he’s a good kid and fun to watch. We are fans of basketball right?
How long are you going to say ‘if we only drafted…’ that list would go on for miles
I can’t believe people are giving up already, come on guys.
by bustabucket on Feb 13, 2009 9:20 PM PST reply actions 9 recs
I'll rec that comment!!!
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
NO! We must speak in hyperbole at all times
Someone has to suck
And someone has to be the greatest of all time.
Especially after the Rookie vs. Soph game. The greatest measurement of basketball skill on the planet.
Buzzing to ****
by I Want Curly Hair Too on Feb 14, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions
Rudy Thread just opened up
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
what happen to all my wait and be patient Blazer fans???
don’t jump off the cliff everytime KD goes off…not a big deal…i root for all good character ball players. i root for both of them but the fact is that the Blazers are in 4th in the West and OKC is not. Why are we even worried about the individual comparisons?
you can’t change the past…heck, you can’t even change what happens in the future with the Blazers other than watching and cheering…
seriously…take a chill pill everyone and layoff benji.
Yes on Proposition #9 (RLEC must go!!!!)
by broyposse on Feb 13, 2009 9:23 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
It feels like we
should be regressing to other points in Blazer history draft that were far more unpleasant than our current situ. Maybe then perspective can come into the limelight rather than “what could be”.
I'll just never understand
why Portland and KP even bothered to do the Durant and Oden workouts before making our 2007 pick. KP was on record saying Durant had the best workout he had ever seen. Oden was pretty bad …. out of shape etc. They even had to stop the drills for him to collect his wind and composure. But still, Oden was picked as most expected. Was it too much pressure from PA? Or Nate? I really had the feeling back then that KP wanted Durant. I don’t suppose we’ll ever know though. One thing you can know is that along with Ben and others I was very convinced Durant was the right pick ….. there were just so many red flags surrounding Greg.
I still could be wrong about Oden and I hope I am. I’m actually very encouraged by what I’ve seen from him this last month. I doubt though that I was wrong about Durant. Like someone posted above, let them both be stars …. I’d love to see it!.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
by TwoDeep on Feb 13, 2009 9:39 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Mhm, not exactly how I remember it
I know I heard first about Durant and then about Oden, but didn’t have a great preference for one over the other based on their play and thought both would be really good in their own right. I know Bill Simmons was always much higher on Durant, but even he is giving Oden now much more credit than when he injured himself. Most local and national media guys were equally high on both. Stein and Bucher say to this day they would have taken Oden 100 times out of 100, but maybe they have to stick to their stories.
Durant had a very mediocre pre-draft camp in Orlando, highlighted by his inability to do a single push with the weights which had never happened before. I remember he had great vertical leap measurements. Both were very professional for their workout process (for the teams in question), but I didn’t read or hear that KP said Durant had the much better or best workout. Why should he reveal that, when the main storyline was Oden – Durant (remember the banner on Blazers.com) right up to draft day.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
misdirection?
maybe kp wasn’t trying to show his cards and give some misdirection incase someone offered him something he couldnt refuse?
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
by Philthyanimal on Feb 13, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions
The best that was offered to KP was Paul Pierce and the Celtics #5 pick for the #1 pick before the draft
If he wanted a surefire SF star, why didn’t he take that and then went on to draft say Yi or Hawes or Noah as a big man? Just a question.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
I definitely feel like KP wanted Durant in his heart (and brain)...
I think back to to all his quotes about being a “best player available” kind of guy. And his penchant for statistical anaylsis that projected Durant to be a far and away better pro….and his quote telling people to go back and watch the Kansas-Texas game to all who claimed that Oden was the obvious choice.
In the end, I believe that Paul Allen, Nate, and 80% of Blazers fans/pundits was just too much to overcome. I think the “you’ve gotta take the potential franchise center” attitude blinded people to all of Oden’s red flags.
Durant may’ve been the no-brainer pick from a skils/desire/intangibles/peformance in college/performance at workout/ health point of view; however It just too big of a risk for KP to go against the dominant view at the time.
I was pretty heartbroken when he didn’t pick Durant. However, I can’t blame KP too much, since it would’ve taken an incredible amount of courage. I doubt many GMs who would’ve been willing to do it.
Dude, look at the combine #'s ...
from 2007. GO was physically off the charts. Why
would he have a great workout ? His strengths are
team play elements.
1. Physical inside presence.
a. drawing doubles.
b. Boxing out bigs.
c. getting the other team in foul trouble.
d. availability for the dump off.
e. short finishes – hook or dunk (& the up & under is next)
2. Rebounding
a. great offensive rebounding – how did they simulate
a game situation in his workout ?
b. defensive rebounding – more simulation ?
c. Allowing teammates to leak out on fast break (board control)
d. Outlet passing
3. Defensive Intimidator
a. Shot blocker
b. Shot altering
c. Physical presence – Size
- K-Bone is a great shooter and ball handler. He’s a skill position
player (SF or SG), so NBA draft workouts were made for his ilk.
He’s a one on one (And 1) type player. A lot of shots, period.
He’s long and a better defender than I thought, but a volumne shooter !
GO’s skills are more like the great NFL lineman. Clearing the
way for the skill position guys. Let’s give him some time to adjust to
the speed, refs, sets, experience and opponents of the NBA !
It's GO time !
Kevin Durant wishes to dedicate this MVP trophy to the people who always believed in him. A real G
Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images).
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
Watched the entire game
The name should have been changed to " Kobenator II, the next generation". Said it before he even became a part of the league. Love the way he kept his “Team” involved.
If you have nothing constructive to say about someone, I prefer that you say nothing at all.
"If Jumping to conclusions, Kicking others when they do not do well and Launching into senseless tirades were Olympic Events, some people around here would be Medal Contenders". Me
Here's a question.
Do we want a team or do we want a group of individuals who can’t win without their star player? I prefer to have a team I can root for.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Gosh, I sure hated when Drexler was always a threat
to go off. Shoot, I hated that game when he went for 40/12/9 or whatever. And gee, I hated how much Roy hogged the ball in that 50 point game. Why can’t he share?!
Cmon man, if Durant was one of ours, we’d be on the moon right now.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 9:32 AM PST up reply actions
The Thunder don't win without Durant. The Cavs don't win without LeBron.
the Blazers can and have won without Greg and for that matter, Roy. I’m saying I’d rather have players work together as a team than have one pivotal player who is the team
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Most important word . . . IF
A. If, he were a Blazer, he would be taking the ball out of BRoy’s hands.
B. If, he was a Blazer, he wouldn’t be getting as many shots,
or if, he did the rest of the guys would have to change their games.
C. If he were a blazer, we would still be at the bottom of the league in
rebounding.
All If’s, all the time.
Hindsight is 20 – 20 and K-Bone is in his second year. GO has played
40 + games and we knew he was raw. Big guys take more time to develop
and we needed rebounding, inside D & O presence ! All still in development.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and 20 year kids very seldom dominate the NBA.
It's GO time !
ROLLS EYES
Are all of you really going this crazy over the freaking rookie vs. sophomore game box score?
Anointing Kevin Durant the next Michael Jordan?
Are you kidding me?
IT’S THE ROOKIE v SOPH GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get a hold of yourselves. It’s embarrassing.
Buzzing to ****
by I Want Curly Hair Too on Feb 14, 2009 1:16 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
No Doubt
The rookie/soph is essentially a formalized “And1” game-Durant is great but I see him turning into a more perimeter focused ’Melo waaay before I see him turning into MJ. Did you all not notice that oden posted what, like 17 and 10 in a victory against his team not 2 days ago?
Kevin Durant is sure taking a lot of space in brains isn't he?
My advice…let it go and focus on the guys we have, rather than guys we could’ve had.
I’m not sure what all the Kevin Durant “what ifs” does for us other than make us feel like crap and turn on each other. It doesn’t sound like a good way to spend our energy.
by JasonT on Feb 14, 2009 10:08 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
*shrug* I'm a bball fan
I like watching and talking about interesting players. If ben posted something for us to talk about whether beasley’s going to pan out (he had a nice night too although not anywhere near durant’s) or how we see the East/West going down, I’d be happy to fill that thread up too.
If you separate out the whole Oden/Durant draft thing, KD is still a phenomenally fun guy to watch and talk about as a fan of the NBA. OKC has shoved aside all other teams besides Blazers in my Tivo priority order. Super fun team, both the good and the bad.
by howlingfantods on Feb 14, 2009 10:37 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
What is KD doing in that photo?
Is he cold and blowing on his hand or does he have a low DJIQ and he thinks there is a microphone in his hand? I speculate, you decide.
Release your inner Kraken
Hollinger weighs in
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2009/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Hollingernotes-090214
All NBA GMs love drafting big men. Hopefully they’ll learn a lesson…
"Durant or Greg Oden? The question has rarely looked more lopsided than it did last night, when Durant was raining 46 on the poor rookies while Oden sat out with a bum knee. The Blazers undoubtedly will take some flak for this, so it’s important to remember that while some of us who shoot spitballs from the sidelines were campaigning for Durant to go No. 1 in the 2007 draft, every executive I talked to said they would take Oden. All of them.
So far, the health issues have prevented him from achieving close to his ceiling, but he has played far better in the past two months, and as he continues to recover from last year’s microfracture knee surgery he should be one of the league’s most productive centers. Whether he’ll ever match Durant’s output, however, remains very much in question.
I'm grateful
that the lotto balls fell in our favor with 5%. We never would be arguing Oden vs Durant had we not gotten lucky. If we made the wrong pick…well we shouldn’t have been in that position anyways. KP has never steered us wrong before…there is no reason to doubt him now. We need to document everyone who is doubting Oden now on a list, so that when we win a championship with Greg we know who to keep off the bandwagon.
The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever
And they should have to bear a star next to their profile picture so they are easier to recognize
Oh wait, I’m not Mortimer who can pull of jokes like this and Goodwin’s law was already evoked for this thread.
The cake is a lie. Trade the cake!
Hmmk
so liking another player more than one of ours is now a cardinal sin of fandom?
I like CP3 more than Martell Webster too. Kicking me out of the club?
by howlingfantods on Feb 15, 2009 8:46 AM PST up reply actions
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