Hindsight is 20/20

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 11:23 AM PDT Comment 49 comments

You can always look back, and think about what could have been. I was perusing the web site http://www.nbahoopsonline.com/History/Leagues/NBA/drafts/index.html and looking at our draft picks since we entered the league and wondered what could have been. Now don’t get me wrong. I love our team, and have enjoyed the many years of NBA ball that they have given us. And I know that the reason that we did not pick some of these guys is because we already had guys at their position, or no one knew just how good they would turn out to be. And some were just a whiff, swing and a miss. A lot were great picks, and the people after them would not have necessarily been better, they were just available. I have made a list of “What could have been”. This is just who we picked, and who was still available when we picked them, it does not include trades (example: we picked Ty Thomas, traded for L-Train). This goes all the way back, so if I missed someone that was good, please list them.

Year/ Player(s) Picked (players that were still available)

1972/ LaRue Martin/ Dave Twardzik (Bob McAdoo, Julius Erving)

1973/ Barry Parkhill (Caldwell Jones)

1974/ Bill Walton (Maurice Lucas)

1975/ Lionel Holins (Lloyd Free)

1976/ Wally Walker/ John Davis (Adrian Dantley, Robert Parish, Alex English)

1977/ Rich Laurel (T.R. Dunn, James Edwards)

1978/ Mychal Thompson (Larry Bird)

1979/ Jim Paxon (Good choice)

1980/ Ronnie Lester (Kiki Vandeweghe, Rick Mahorn)

1981/ Jeff Lamp/ Darnell Valentine (Larry Nance, Danny Ainge)

1982/ Lafayette Lever (Sleepy Floyd)

1983/ Clyde Drexler

1984/ Sam Bowie (The guy from “Space Jam”, Sam Perkins, Sir Charles Barkley, Otis Thorpe, Kevin Willis, Michael Cage, John Stockton, ouch…)

1985/ Terry Porter

1986/ Walter Berry/ Arvidas Sabonis/ Drazen Petrovic (Scott Skyles, Mark Price, Dennis Rodman, Nate McMillan, Kevin Duckworth, Jeff Hornacek)

1987/ Ronnie Murphat (Mark Jackson)

1988/ Mark Bryant (Steve Kerr)

1989/ Byron Irvin/ Cliff Robinson ( “Sir Flop” Vlade Divak)

1990/ Alaa Abdelnaby (Elden Campbell, Toni Kukoc, Kevin Pritchard, Antonio Davis, Cedric Ceballos)

1991/ 2nd round Keith Hughes (Isaac Austin)

1992/ Tracy Murray (Latrell “Feed Your Family” Spreewell, P. J. Brown, Popey Jones)

1993/ James “Hollywood” Robinson (Sam Cassell, Nick VanExel, Bryon Russell)

1994/ Aaron Mckie (Wes Person, Voshon Lenard)

1995/ Shawn Respert (Kurt Thomas, Brent Barry, Theo Ratliff, Michael Finley, Donny Marshal)

1996/ Jermaine O’Neal (Z. Ilgauskas, Derek Fisher, Travis Knight)

1997/ Chris Anstey/Alvin Williams (Stephen Jackson)

1998/ No Picks

1999/ Roberto Bergerseen (Manu Ginobili)

2000/ Erick Barkley (Mark Madsen, Eduardo Najera, Michael Redd)

2001/ Zach Randolph (Tony Parker, Gilbert Arenas, Mehmet Okur)

2002/ Quintell Woods (Tayshaun Prince, John Salmons, Carlos Boozer, Matt Barnes, Luis Scola)

2003/ Travis Outlaw (L. Barbosa, Josh Howard, Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Steve Blake, James Jones, Kyle Korver)

2004/ Sebastian Telfair/ Viktor Khryapa/ Sergi Monia/ Ha Seung-Jin (Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, Jameer Nelson, Kevin Martin, Anderson Varejao, Chris Duhon)

2005/ Martell Webster (Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, Nate Robinson, David Lee, Brandon Bass, Monta “Moped” Ellis)

2006/ Tyrus Thomas (Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Daniel Gibson, Paul Millsap, Leon Powe)

2007/ Greg Oden (Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Rodney Stuckey)

2008 Brandon Rush (Too early to tell)

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Comments

this is just too depressing

you’ve accurately pointed out how horrible the blazers have always picked!
man, if only we were every other team who is always right.

some of those players that we passed on have been AllStars!

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Mar 16, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't trying to be depressing.

Just a little hindsight, and how nice it would be if there were such a thing as time travel. How was anyone supposed to know what will happen in the future? I’m just trying to make a new topic of discussion.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

I’m just trying to make a new topic of discussion.

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about

trying to make a topic that has not been discussed in a while. Or something different then what we have seen lately.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm still pissed the portland beavers didn't draft ainge

he was a beast for the toronto blue jays!

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Mar 16, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was a MUCH better baseball player then Jordan.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose

I remember a whole lot of these posts, but I guess it has been a while.

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think there has been quite a few.

I was just trying to make a comprehensive one with a link.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep In Mind

That Sam Bowie turned into Buck WIlliams. That is nothing to sneeze at!

by hoopsdreams on Mar 16, 2009 11:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Very true!

Buck is my all time favorite.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Walter Berry into Duck

"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii

by 92wastheyear on Mar 16, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

Robin Jones turned into Steve Owens who turned into Sam Bowie who turned into Buck Williams

by two4larue on Mar 16, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

by hoopsdreams on Mar 16, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tom Owens

not Steve

"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii

by 92wastheyear on Mar 16, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also in some of those years

the player we got was better than the other options..
like 1996 and 1986.. 2006 doesnt count cuz we drafted tyrus FOR chicago.
We pick pretty good in the 6 years..

and side note.. cant blame the bird draft since no one even knew you COULD draft a junior before they declared.. it was the first and last time anyone did it, they banned that practice right after Red Auerbach did it

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 Mar 16, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2007 is not too early?

2007/ Greg Oden (Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Rodney Stuckey)

2008 Brandon Rush (Too early to tell)

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

your edgy today Sabas. What’s your opinion then? BTW I would still take Oden, that is just who we didn’t pick.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meant to say

the others are people that we didn’t pick. But I’m sure everyone knows that. Now I’m just making myself look even stupider. :-)

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's stupidier. it's dumber, but it's French

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Mar 16, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is still Greg's rookie season

It’s not like he sucks, he is just currently injured. It is my opinion that it is too early for Oden as well as Brandon Rush. I will wish we had drafted Durant if Oden does not develop after 2 more years.

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, 2001 and 2002

Ouch.

by Garces on Mar 16, 2009 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was saying ouch at 1999.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If only we had picked Blake in 2003

… then maybe we could have picked up Trout in a trade! :)

Can’t believe that Atlanta picked M Williams before Paul or DeronW in 2005. What did we get by trading down besides the #6 pick that year?

by QuebecBlzrFan on Mar 16, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The 24th pick (I think) and used it for Jarret Jack

"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii

by 92wastheyear on Mar 16, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it was for Linas Kleza then traded him for J. Jack.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

JJ and Webster… not bad but I bet if they could have do overs they would change!

About Atlanta, I mentioned them because they were looking so hard for a PG and instead selected another 6’9" fwd to go with the 2 Joshes.

by QuebecBlzrFan on Mar 16, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was crazy.

I guess they were going for BPA. They would be one of the top teams in the East had they picked one of the PG’s.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KP wanted CP3

but he was overruled by Nash (and Paul Allen, who was wowed by pre-draft Martell’s workout) Nash had drafted Telfair the year before and wasn’t looking to add another rookie PG…pity

and PA hadn’t learned to trust KP’s golden gut, yet

by two4larue on Mar 16, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HINDSIGHTS ARE ALWAYS 20/40

REMEMBER, KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR WASN’T EVEN DRAFTED!

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Mar 16, 2009 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

But Lew Alcinder was...

right?

by Brandon684 on Mar 16, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he was.

Number 1 pick in 1969.

by Brandon684 on Mar 16, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

owned

Karma

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 16, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if i have to explain the joke

then it’s no longer a joke.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Mar 16, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seeing that your post was in all caps,

I just assumed you were a moron. My mistake, no offense meant. lol

by Brandon684 on Mar 16, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Pritchard

has started us on a good streak.

Man. Alaa Abdelnaby —echk! My stomach turned on that memory.

"Every time Troutlaw touches the ball, I pop an anti-anxiety pill."

by DaNoose on Mar 16, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

AA rocked the NBA in being listed alphabetically though!

By first or last name.

by Zaig on Mar 16, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking back at 2006

there really are only 3 good players from that draft (Roy, LA, Rudy Gay), and we got two of them.

remarkable

by tikiliki on Mar 16, 2009 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

KP owned the 2006 draft.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 16, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rondo and Millsap are good players

Both of them are playing better than Rudy Gay this year.

by trk on Mar 17, 2009 2:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even though the team formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics upset the San Antonio Spurs tonight, ...

it was in spite of Kevin Durant! In over 41 minutes of play tonight, Durant shot a subpar 10 of 24, grabbed just 3 rebounds, dished only 2 dimes, committed 2 turnovers, and posted a -6 on the night.

Indeed, it was the strong defensive play of his teammates on the second unit — especially Washington State University alum Kyle Weaver, as well as former Seattle favorite Nick Collison — who won the game tonight.

by AK1984 on Mar 16, 2009 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

sefalosha looked good against the Bulls,

he’s been a nice pick up for them.

What's the point?

by maid tu rek on Mar 19, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that front office is playing things pretty smart right now

I am no Thunder fan and I hope they prove me wrong but I think they gave up on Chandler in order to maintain a lottery spot. Plus I think the free agency this summer is enough for them to fill any voids they may have after the draft. Sefalosha was a good small move for them.

by dpnim on Mar 20, 2009 3:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since this thread is talking bout old players

I was watching the Cosby show last night…
He was rocking a Ramon Ramos jersey. Full on Portland Trailblazers gear.
Gotta love Bill

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 16, 2009 11:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if he still has a locker at the RG?

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Mar 17, 2009 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no clue.

that would be cool to find out.

Ben????

by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 17, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The one that jumps out at me

Has to still be Martell over Deron Williams or Chris Paul.

I still think Martell is a great player and will be good for several years to come, but looking at our PG situation now, man I would love DW or CP.

However, I love how everything turned out with us getting the #1 pick and landing Oden. Had we drafted Paul or Williams maybe our record would have been better and we wouldnt have got Oden.

You guys may disagree but right now Id still take Oden or both those PGs. Oden is riskier, but ultimately he could be more valuable.

by biggfish02 on Mar 19, 2009 11:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Without diggin too deep into it

I think two4larue said it best:

KP wanted CP3
but he was overruled by Nash (and Paul Allen, who was wowed by pre-draft Martell’s workout) Nash had drafted Telfair the year before and wasn’t looking to add another rookie PG…pity

and PA hadn’t learned to trust KP’s golden gut, yet

by dpnim on Mar 20, 2009 3:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs