Re: Yo, Dins
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:14 am
Well there have been worse Number 1 picks that's for sure...so I would say that given those stats yes he would be worth it...
One of these two was CLEARLY the better player last night.
Sucks to be you tards...
Since I'm just playing by your rules -- these "who's better" judgements need to be made NOW, based on a few games...
And in your zest to fall into the "what have you done for me LATELY" mentality...
Looks like your snap judgements were wrong, eh?
Oden pretty well dictated the pace at which the game was played (like good big men do).
And the Blazers slashers/wings once again really enjoyed Durant's "defense" (although he doesn't actually play any, save for his best impression of a matador).
Though Dins may never admit it here, he has to be wishing that his 'Zers had taken Durant instead. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that if they had, they might be making a serious run at the Western Conference Title. This year.
Blazer fans and management are more happy with the decision than ever before.
Frankly, while Durant is truly an exceptional example of one, he's still a gifted slasher who can score off the dribble. Here's the catch -- the Blazers have one that's much better... and it ain't even close.
Contend for a tile? This year?
Are you on crack?
So, WW... whty don't you remind me when the last time a team with horrifically shitty defense won the title?
But it's your contention that with another bucket-filling wing player (some of which the Blazers are looking to possibly trade, since they've got a whole bench full of them), the Blazers are suddenly a contender?
Excuse me for a second, while I sit here in complete disbelief that anyone could type that.
OK, I'm better now.
Uhm, since you don't actually follow the NBA, and merely peruse the stat sheet, I'll help you out...
The Blazers, statistically speaking, are one of the most "effecient" offensive teams in the league (although I dislike the efficiency stats and PERs, as they don't ever come close to telling the real story). They're near the top of all the offensive stats categories, and #1 in some.
Filling the bucket isn't a problem. They certainly have one of the most feared offenses in the game.
It's the other end that's the problem. The defense walks the fine line between "poor" and "nonexistant."
So, see if I have this right... in your mind, replacing Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw (Durant's doppleganger), Rudy Fernandez, Martell (when he finally comes back), or heaven forbid Nick Batum (who actually does play some defense) with Durant, at the expense of not having a very good defensive player in the middle is going to solve the "no defense" problem?
Before I go any further (while laughing my ass off), I just need to verify...
You're really going to stick with that "take"?
Really?
Please say "yes" -- it will be much more fun if you do.
Hey! Remember that time Durant won his team the game because he absolutely locked down the opposing team's best player? How bout the time he locked anyone down to win a game?
Yeah, I don't remember that one, either... because it's never happened.
Go ahead and cite him dropping 31 in the first Blazer/Thunder matchup last week... while ignoring the fact he was one of the guys matching up with Savior, who dropped 32, many of those points at Durant's expense (although I do admire Durant for one thing -- he gets paid to sit in the front row and watch while other stars are making their career highlight reels).
Damn, Whitey -- what you don't know about hoops could fill the Grand Canyon.
Substituting Durant for Oden on Portland's roster would likely knock them right the fuck out of the playoff race, much less from "contending."
Blazers need Durant about as much as your fence needs another hole in it. They already have 4 of him... albeit only one of them better at nifty to-the-hole moves as Durant, who is excellent off the dribble, no doubt... he ain't BRoy, but he's excellent on the wing. I'll trade him straight across for Outlaw -- we'd gain a little scoring from the 3, and they're about equally feeble on D. Heck, I'd trade Outlaw, and even throw in a few dozen of our second round picks (which Portland has about 100 of in the next 2-3 years).
Oden has a talent Durant never will -- the ability to be physically large. And once he learns the NBA game, it will be evident. Bear in mind, that Greggy's minutes per game keeps rising, since he's quickly learning to avoid foul trouble, slowly but surely. And if he stays in the game enough to get meaningful minutes...
He just dropped a double-double on your ass... every. single. time.
While he's still learning a very difficult, thinking man's position -- whwen he does stay on the floor, the numbers are beginning to speak for themselves. If he's on the floor, he's getting numbers... numbers that are steadily rising. While stats don't ever tell the whole story (like how badly opponents absolutely FEAST on Durant), they certainly lead one to believe that Greg is on the verge of making his mark.
BTW -- Oden has more double-doubles this season that Durant, even with missing some games.
BTWBTW -- Oden will probably surpass Durant's career offensive rebounding total by the end of this month. Dude looked like WW when he tried to hoist 185 on the bench press... if his so-far-career-long allergy to doing anything but shooting the ball and gravytraining softball defensive rebounds was happening on the Blazers, dude would be on the trading block... that shit don't fly around here (and shouldn't on any pro team). The D-League is full of guys who can fill the bucket.
