What If We Get Durant?
by Jeff Clark on Mar 8, 2007 6:00 AM EST
in Boston Celtics Articles
Email
Print
Monday we looked at what would happen if we won the lottery and landed Oden. Today, we'll see what's behind door number 2.
Memphis has tanked its way to a hold of the worst record, but even if we miss out on that dishonorable distinction, there is still a pretty good chance that we will get the 2nd pick. The Sixers keep getting unexpected wins like the one over the Phoenix Suns a week ago and the next 3 teams lead us in the standings by 5 or more games. Unless the Celtics start a winning streak that rivals our 18 game losing streak, we’ll still likely stay in the bottom two records in the league.
Lets say that some team wins the lottery and plans to select Oden. The Celtics still have a great opportunity to win that second pick and take what may end up being the best consolation prize ever.
People (rightfully) bring up the draft of 10 years ago where we missed out on Duncan. Dare I bring up the draft from almost 21 years ago (1986)? Another 2nd overall draft pick was supposed to be the one that would take the torch from the Big Three and help them get a couple more titles before they rode off to the proverbial sunset. Instead, his premature passing marked the beginning of the dynasty’s end. How poetic would it be to have another 2nd pick overall actually deliver that greatness to us and return the franchise to its former glory?
Is that too much pressure to put on a kid that young? Of course it is, but he’ll face a similar pressure anywhere he goes. Everything I’ve seen and read about with this kid tells me he’s a rare combination of freakish athleticism, amazing talent, and tireless work ethic. Oh yeah, and he seems to be a kid with a good head on his shoulders. As Simmons pointed out, there simply is no ceiling on what he might become. None. In fact, I think if we land the 2nd pick, Bill will have his first heart attack.
Another LeBron?
The comparisons that get tossed around the most are Kevin Garnett or maybe even Tracy McGrady (if I had a dime for every “next-McGradyâ€â€¦). However, I’m going to go ahead and use LeBron as a benchmark. Not because they are all that similar in style of play, but rather because I believe Durant has the ability to make that kind of immediate impact that LeBron did. In fact, with the benefit of a year in college Durant might be a step ahead in his first year.
Like LeBron, the league hasn’t really seen anything like Durant. His combination of length, grace, and offensive versatality make him a matchup nightmare the second he hits an NBA floor. If LeBron’s learning curve is any indication, Durant’s “struggles†in his first year will be worthy of rookie of the year honors. Maybe by the second year he’ll be playing his first of many All Star games.
Again, I have to pause and ask: Is that expecting too much from the kid? Absolutely! But he better get used to it. And it doesn't realy concern me. Barring injury, the downside is that he’ll be a very good offensive player. As good as he already is, there’s little doubt he's got star potential.
Besides, one thing LeBron did not have coming in was the benefit of an All Star teammate to take some of the pressure off and to tutor him on the court. Pierce could be that guy for young Kevin. Even though he’s made noise about wanting to have a more veteran cast around him, Pierce has been very supportive of the younger players. He's not blind. He knows that the kid could be something special very soon. I think Pierce would do very well as Durant's mentor. Especially if the Celtics do make some moves to put a veteran or two around them.
Three’s A Crowd
Which brings us to the next point. If we do luck out and get Durant in the draft, the team will have an embarrassment of (potential) riches at the 3 position. Pierce, Durant, Green, and Allen if he comes back healthy. In theory, Pierce and Durant can play together since Pierce has floated between the 2 and 3 positions all his career and Durant seems like a very versatile player. But what do we do with Gerald Green? Chances are he’ll be the odd man out and we should be able to get some good value for him. In particular if he is paired with Theo’s expiring contract.
I’m not rooting to get rid of Gerald and I actually am optimistic that he’ll be able to give us a more consistent effort next year. But he’s still got a lot of learning to do before he can reach his full potential. That is if he ever does. If you can get a veteran (but not too old) All Star for Gerald, then you know Ainge will pull the trigger.
Actually, a benefit to trading Green means not needing to trade the other young players on the team. You wouldn’t get full value for guys like Gomes, West, Allen, and Perkins because nobody outside of Boston sees them as anything but good reserves. Put them next to or backing up the likes of Pierce, Durant, and another All Star, and they fill out the roster very nicely. You just have to hope that Rondo or West can thrive in the starting point guard role. Otherwise you could add a veteran point to provide some stability to the spot.
Bright Near Future
Sure, the top spot is preferred, but landing the 2nd pick would still be a dream for the green. Some would say it is even better than having to select first (and potentially making the mistake of passing on Durant or Oden). If all goes right, we’d have 2 veteran All Stars, a soon-to-be All Star in Al Jefferson, a future All World in Durant, and a roster full of solid complimentary players to put around them. You’d even have Wally’s contract turning into an expiring deal after next season.
The near future could end up being very bright indeed.
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I don’t see Gerald as the odd man out. Gerald still looks to be several years away from being a really good player (if it ever happens), so he will be coming off the bench for a couple more years anyway. I’d put Durant at PF anyway.
PG – veteran/Rondo/West/Telfair
SG – Allen/West/Green
SF – Pierce/Gomes/Green
PF – Durant/Gomes/Scal
C – BigAl/Perk/
Looks like a choice between West and Green to me. Anyone think West would be ok with being 3rd string PG or 3rd string SG?
When I think of getting Durant I always figure it’s the end of Gerald as a Celtic, unless they decide to go young and trade Pierce which I doubt would happen. But instead of getting rid of Green, what about playing Durant at the 4 and making him the C’s version of Shawn Marion? In a discussion we had earlier about Durant I said he most reminds me of Marion except he seems like he will be better then Marion.
Would a line up of West or Rondo, Pierce, Green, Durant, and Jefferson work or would the three swingmen get in each others way? Or what about Green as the sixth man? He can back up both Pierce and Durant and they could all see minutes together so there would be plenty of minutes to go around.
Durant’s comments don’t surprise me. Every player in his position pretty much says the same thing. Texas has the potential to be an Elite 8 team, possibly even better if things break their way with March madness.
To say anything different like he would evaluate it after the season is nothing short of saying he’s coming out. He is already being proclaimed by many to be the best college freshman ever to play the game. This may very well be true (keep in mind though that guys like Lew Alcindor were forbidding to play their freshman year with the varsity college teams).
I think Durant and Oden both come out. Durant will have more immediate impact, however Oden may be the better pick since centers with his type of talent are so rare.
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 9:51 AM EST reply actions
Don’t worry about the embarrassment of riches at the 3, because Durant is a 4. This dude is a power forward. The kid is fourth in the nation in rebounding, averaging 11.4 a game. Does a freshman small forward do that? Nope. I know he is skinny, but he’ll get bigger. That doesn’t change the fact that he is already a great rebounder, and plays a lot bigger than his 6’9" to 6’10" body would make you think. He is quick to the ball, has great instincts and sure hands at the end of freakishly long arms.
I think people are getting too caught up in his offensive game. Yeah, the kid has the skill set of a wing, but he also has the skill set of a power forward, which is what makes him so special. He can post up and rebound. His lack of bulk and inexperience make him a defensive liability at this point, but that should be expected of any young player. Playing him at the 3 takes him away from the basket on defense, which limits his rebounding opportunities, and that is a bad thing. Play him at the 4 as a rookie and the kid is going to average 8 boards a game…minimum. I watch him play, and have seen him move around guys a lot burlier than him because of his great positioning skills. The kid knows all about leverage. He establishes great position on both end of the court for his rebounds. He is a superb rebounder and will be one in the NBA.
So he will get pushed around by the like of Elton Brand early on. Will Elton have any hope of staying with Durant on the other end? Nope. Kevin won’t have to push him around there, he’ll just shoot over him or go around him. One must also keep in mind that the league has changed, and most teams aren’t starting guys at the 4 who will be able to push him around that much anyways. There are a lot of perimeter 4’s in the league now, who really aren’t that big, and I think that Durant won’t have too much of a problem dealing with those guys. Think about it.
You can’t think of this guy in conventional terms, because he is a unique player. If the power forward slot would be a problem for him, why is he the de facto center at Texas? Why is he averaging so many rebounds? If anything, I think that the 3 would be a bigger problem for him, as he would have to stick with faster players, and would get exposed with off the ball movement plays. One could say that Melo did a good job on the boards in his Orange year. Well, I’ve long thought him to be a better fit at the 4 than the 3 myself. He sure as hell played better as one with the National team. Durant’s true position is at the 4, IMO.
by MikeDfromNP on Mar 8, 2007 10:16 AM EST reply actions
Durant is actually the player I would rather have. I forsee if we got Durant you trade Green and Theo’s contract and whatever you might have to add to Memphis for Gasol. Especially if Memphis get Oden, I think they would bite.
Gasol, center 7’0
Jefferson PF 6’10
Durant SF 6’9
Pierce SG 6’7
West or Rondo PG
Dream line up there. As someone said you may have to examine a vet point but Wow!
On a side note Jeff, I liked your poll as to who fans related to in this site and was more than pleasantly surprised to find you were the one they aligned to. To often reading comments in this blog one starts to think Celtic Nation lost it’s hope, and it’s faith. That poll showed that the repeated pesimist that post on this site are a minority not a majority. That needed to be shown, thanks. Keep the Faith, Restore the Pride!
by The Real Alaska on Mar 8, 2007 10:25 AM EST reply actions
Oh and by the way, both Oden and Durant will come out. Hey who went to college and could say your going to tell all them hotties your leaving! Ha, no they’ll anounce close to dead line.
by The Real Alaska on Mar 8, 2007 10:29 AM EST reply actions
“I forsee if we got Durant you trade Green and Theo’s contract and whatever you might have to add to Memphis for Gasol. Especially if Memphis get Oden, I think they would bite.”
‘Whatever you might have to add’ will be an insane amount.
If you’re Memphis why would you deal Gasol for Green (basically) when you could just go with Gasol/Oden/Gay as your frontcourt of the future. Add Mike Miller playing at the 2 and use the MLE on a solid PG. You don’t have the depth in the begining to make a deep run, but that five is much closer to a title than if you deal for Green.
by Scotty on Mar 8, 2007 10:34 AM EST reply actions
Yeah, and that Memphis five is also much closer to a big luxury tax bill, which substantially reduces the value of a franchise that Michael Heisley is desperately trying to sell. The Grizz also have the lowest attendance in the league, so they do not have the cash flow to support their current payroll.
IMHO the absolute last thing the Celtics need is a soft, white 7 footer who defends like LaFrentz. Oh wait, it’s only the second-to-last thing. The last thing was an undersized, overrated 5-11 chucker who doesn’t defend.
BTW, GG may be a lousy defender, but at least there’s hope. His defense is certainly improved over last year.
Why can’t Ainge go after players like Shane Battier so that the team can actually win some games?
Scotty, 2 reasons, one Gasol asked to get out, and their trying to sell the franchise that’s in a small market share. Young talent small payroll, makes it a much more attractive buy. As for whatever you might have to add as an insane amount, I beg to differ if you kept the line up I posted.
by The Real Alaska on Mar 8, 2007 10:53 AM EST reply actions
jeff, jeff, jeff – watch what you type:
“You wouldnâ€â"¢t get full value for guys like Gomes, West, Allen, and Perkins because nobody outside of Boston sees them as anything but good reserves. Put them next to or backing up the likes of Pierce, Durant, and another All Star”
You answer it yourself (“or backing up”) – they are good reserves — many of us have been saying ti for a while.
I would hold on to green and perhaps preemptively sign him to an extension (can you do that in the NBA?). Start an athletic lineup w/ durrant at the 4 pierce at the 3. west and rondo in the backcourt?
I dunno.
“2 reasons, one Gasol asked to get out,”
So. I want a 150% raise, doesn’t mean I get it.
“and their trying to sell the franchise that’s in a small market share.”
You don’t sell off your best asset when trying to sell a product. Gasol’s contract is actually more valuable from a financial aspect as long as he’s still in place at the time of sale. Once he’s a part of the initial purchase and sale then the new owner can do whatever he wants with that asset.
“Young talent small payroll, makes it a much more attractive buy.”
Wrong, but thanks for playing the we can get him at a discount card.
“As for whatever you might have to add as an insane amount”
It’s because Green has no value.
by Scotty on Mar 8, 2007 11:01 AM EST reply actions
Ha, Scotty agree to disagree, as for Memphis and franchise I deferr to Brick he explained it. As for Acient Red I agree.
by The Real Alaska on Mar 8, 2007 11:12 AM EST reply actions
“The Grizz also have the lowest attendance in the league, so they do not have the cash flow to support their current payroll.”
You don’t think that changes with Oden or Durant?
The Grizz real problem is they’ve got Cardinal, Swift and a couple other guys they’re getting little production out of, clogging up thier cap situation.
I’d argue that if Memphis gets the #1 pick they’re more apt to take Durant, plug him next to Gasol because of the instant marketability and highlight reel stuff KD can do.
“Why can’t Ainge go after players like Shane Battier so that the team can actually win some games?”
No kidding.
by Scotty on Mar 8, 2007 11:16 AM EST reply actions
Like that dead horse that you keep shooting, it’s hard to sell a business that’s bleeding.
by The Real Alaska on Mar 8, 2007 11:23 AM EST reply actions
I don’t agree with the LeBron comparison, at least not right away. The reason LeBron was able to contribute right away was because he already had an NBA-ready body. He was built better than most guys in the league. Durant is incredibly talented, but he’s still gotta fill out that body. He’s definitely gonna be more productive than KG and TMac were coming out, but he’s not gonna be putting up 20 ppg as a rookie.
I think Durant will come out of the box next season and easily average 16 pt per game in the NBA. He will only get better from there and he can do all the intangibles. There won’t be a big learning curve for him. Depending on who gets him and what is needed from him, he’ll average 25 per game his 3rd or 4th season in the league.
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 11:54 AM EST reply actions
On Gerald Green, I want to see what he accomplishes this off season (a la Big AL). I don’t want to trade him for a vet. It’s up to him to take his game up a few notches and if he doesn’t by the trade deadline next season, I would then move him. That gives him 2 1/2 years removed from his “high school kid” label tag. I’d rather not part with him until we evaluate him the rest of this season and up to next year’s trade deadline, regardless of what vet is out there (exception KG).
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 11:58 AM EST reply actions
Durant can become another Michael Jordan, Green can become another Tracy McGrady, blah-blah-blah. Until any of them actually does that, we can hypothesize all we want.
And by the way, Durant is 220 lbs in the optimistic case. Skillset or not, he can’t play PF for a while, unless you want to see him end like Livingston or Bender.
More time for this months down the road, but if we do land Oden, I definitely move Pierce. It will take Oden a good 3 years or so to become the center many think he will be. I don’t think 4 years from now Pierce is going to have the type of season he did last year, plus I don’t think Pierce wants to wait around another 3 years. Pierce wants veteran help and Green, Jefferson, Oden aren’t probably enough at this point to truly contend.
Big Al has passed all my expectations for him this year. If Green can do the same, we have a very good young foundation. Green has even more quickness, jumping ability, and raw talent as Pierce. Pierce has the “smarts”, craftiness, determination and grit to be a star player. We need to see if Green has or can learn those same traits.
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 12:10 PM EST reply actions
I think Jeff’s premise that we’ll end up with the second-worst record in the league is incorrect. Charlotte is in complete disarray. Atlanta just lost Joe Johnson for the season (according to one of today’s links). If, as usually happens, one lotto team gets lucky with the ping-pong balls and vaults into the “top” 3 in the draft, and if we finish with the 4th worst record in the league, we get the #5 pick. At that point, the question is, Splitter or Hawes?
does anyone know the deadline date for college underclassmen to declare for the draft?
by Biff on Mar 8, 2007 12:55 PM EST reply actions
I think it’s possible you could get away with Durant at PF coming out of college, but not in the same lineup with Jefferson at C. Sure, the team might get a lot of rebounds, but who is going to intimidate the players driving through the lane for easy layups? Durant and Jefferson would be a pretty impressive frontcourt, I just don’t see them being anywhere near competitive on the defensive end. If you’re going to have a defensive liability at PF, you had better make sure you don’t also have one at C.
by smiggity on Mar 8, 2007 1:26 PM EST reply actions
Little D I thought about this and to not make it a lateral trade, another words get another 2 or 3 I think you’d have to look point guard, or center for PP. Then as we are looking at 3 more years for our youth to reach potential, and the likely hood that most won’t trade a wing for a big, I’d lean to Chris Paul as the only true future value. Livingston was a intriguing thought before the injury. Just my humble opinion, if you were to do it at all. (The Celtic in me likes the romantic idea he retires a Celtic and we win one with him)
Whether it’s Durant or Oden, both will certainly help change the face of this franchise for years to come.
However, a Veteran presence, preferably a Point Guard is still needed. We can talk all we want about Rondo and West, but the fact of the matter is neither one currently can run this team effectively. A True Point Guard who can lead this team is of utmost importance.
He would know when to give the ball to Paul Pierce or Jefferson or Durant at key situations.
We clearly seem to be locked in the 2 slot of the draft for right now. But either way this team is destined to get better with its current roster as constituted.
As much as I think Doc has not managed the floor properly he has done and admirable job coaching the kids and teaching them. We don’t have the problems that other teams have with there players,,, ala Sacramento, Indiana, or Denver for that matter.
Take a good look at the character, teamwork, dedication, excellence and sportsmanship that this team exhibits game in and game out. San Antonio Spurs have this and if are willing to wait as these kids grow we will “hopefully” seem similar results.
Our team with the addition of Oden or Durant will be a dramatic improvement heading into next season. The key is which quality Veteran will come here and add to it.
I was just recalling Tommy Heinson’s comments from last nights game. The Celts made a choice to a some veteran help with Wally and Paul and have a a lot of younger players. The criticism in this town sucks and if any of you could do a better job you would be in the business and not bloggers bitching. If your season ticket holders with no faith then don’t renew.
I score of you wanted to get rid of Al and well now look. Gerald Green is immature, unlike a few select players who have come out of highschool and made an immediate impact,.ie Lebron. Lets say next year Gerald makes a huge leap? Then you will all be apologizing in your blogs about how you were wrong and thankfull that we didn’t trade Green. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. If you want to point a finger and say to fire somebody, well then the Celtics should be sold!
Wyc is not going to fire Ainge and Ainge loves the repeated coaching during free throw shooting that Doc gives the players. He is not Pat Riley, A. Johnson or Popovich. We have him now and there aren’t many coaches out there whom are better and available. If Paul becomes upset this summer and ownership is forced to trade him so be it, there are however no guarantees that one or both are coming out. Durant cannot play any defense by the way and I am watching Texas a lot. He can shoot and rebound but he weighs about 186lbs no lie.
That was a good use of 10 min on my day off. Go yanks! jking
“If the Celtics get Durrant, they next step has to be to find a C.”
They have one. Name of Al.
by TenaciousD on Mar 8, 2007 3:01 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, I’ll be excited if we get Durant, but I don’t think players in the nba will have trouble gaurding him like they did Lebron when he came in the league.
Regaurdless of talent and the fact that perhaps Current NBA players may not have seen anything like Durant before his hopeful entry into the NBA next season. I just don’t think players will have trouble figuring him out.
Yes hes a freakish athlete, (so is Gerald Green) Yes hes tall and long (So is Gerald Green) Yes he can jump out of the building (so can Gerald Green)
I think what Lebron had that another young guy coming into the NBA may never have again, is that Lebron, upon his arrival into the NBA, could not be overpowered, he was a freakish athlete, with a freakish body for his age. Lebron was / is Jacked, probably stronger than any other SG or SF in the league. You can’t teach that, and despite popular belief, you can’t work to get the way he is as far as muscle goes. ITS SIMPLY GENETICS.
Forget about the Celts getting Oden or Durant, because even if the ping pong balls bounce our way and they do come out and we draft one or the other, either a) he’ll give up basketball to join an ashram in India àla Joe Don Looney, b) he’ll go to Russia to provide credibility to the Moscow Marauders, or c) the first day of practice he’ll collide with Veal the Magnificent and suffer a career-ending injury.
Being a dominant player is something you prove on the court over and over. Top tier division one basketball is not the pros, but it does provide the next best test, and Durant has immediately established dominance at that level.
Truly great offensive players who aren’t centers in the NBA have great handles and superior court vision, and he’s got that. He will have some problems covering power forwards, but he will quickly become unstoppable because he can get wherever he wants with the dribble.
Both Oden and Durant have the mentality of champion athletes to go with their talent. It will be a huge amount of fun if we get this kid.
Here is a question I was wondering about. Assuming We were stuck with the #2 pick and Oden went # 1 Would anyone trade the #2 pick and Gerald Green for #1 Oden. If the Celts felt so strongly about acquiring a center do you think they would do that and I was curious who here would consider something like that.
There is no choice between Durant and Oden, who is a once a decade type of player. It’s like if Bill Russell or Kareem or Tim Duncan or Shaq were coming out. Don’t even think about it. You take the 7-footer every time.
by lemonadesky on Mar 8, 2007 6:44 PM EST reply actions
It’s like if Bill Russell or Kareem or….. Olowokandi were coming out.
I don’t mean to setup straw men, just pointing out that there’s no such thing as a “sure thing.”
by bwilson on Mar 8, 2007 7:12 PM EST reply actions
CelticsWhat35 said:
I don’t agree with the LeBron comparison, at least not right away. The reason LeBron was able to contribute right away was because he already had an NBA-ready body. He was built better than most guys in the league. Durant is incredibly talented, but he’s still gotta fill out that body. He’s definitely gonna be more productive than KG and TMac were coming out, but he’s not gonna be putting up 20 ppg as a rookie.
— this pretty much sums up my thoughts on durant. there is little to no doubt that this guy is gonna be a great payer, but he’s got to get stronger to play anywhere close to the level taht lebron played at in his first year.
by dr_awesome on Mar 8, 2007 7:17 PM EST reply actions
if oden or durant match these numbers http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?statsId=3513 before their 3rd year i will eat crow.
otherwise adding a 26 year old 260 lb center who averages 20 pts 9 assists, 3 assists and 2 blocks for prospects and draft picks is a no brainer.
Artic 3.0 Gasol’s #s are impressive as a rookie. I agree, Oden will not match those offensive ones his first 3 years. However I think Oden will be much superior in 3 years on the defensive end of the court. Oden’ game is more the true Bill Russell type center.
I can see Durant matching some of the offensive #s for Gasol in the first 3 years, especially scoring and assists. I think I take Durant for a good 10-12 year stretch than with Gasol for maybe another 5-6 years or so.
Much of Durant’s #s will be dictated by the team. For Lebron, he only had to fight Ricky Davis to be top dog. On the Cs Durant may be the 3rd scoring option behind Pierce and Big Al. Durant is pretty unselfish so I agree as a Celt, he probably doesn’t match up to Gasol’s #s but then again I don’t think Gasol broke in with a Pierce of Big Al type quality scorering teammates either.
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 10:58 PM EST reply actions
For what it is worth, I live in Big 12 country and the latest from the mouth of Durant saying he will not commit to coming back to Texas for another year right now, even if his team doesn’t win it all.
To me that’s code for I’m out of here come June 18.
by bceltfan on Mar 8, 2007 11:06 PM EST reply actions
I could easily pass on Durant if it meant draftin Oden. Potentially dominant centers just dont come along as often as potential All-Star small forwards (in fact, we have one of those in Gerald, and an already established one in Pierce).
However, if we do not get the top pick…and hence do not get Oden, Durant would be a nice consolation prize. ;D
by ucn33 on Mar 9, 2007 12:41 AM EST reply actions
2 things:
Durant will play the 4…he’s a PF/SF, not a SF and when he puts on a bit more muscle he’s a pure 4…no problems with Gerald or Paul there…
2ndly, LeBron was as good as he was right off the bat because he was 240lbs of pure muscle coming into the league. Durant is built like a pre-schooler…he’ll be good, but he’s not going to dominate against superior physical competition…
I want Durant more than Oden, but you’ve got to understand the fundementals of what’s waiting around that corner…
Oden will be great, but I think people are getting carried away about instant impact. He’s not Shaq or Duncan or Hakeem. I think his ceiling is in the Patrick Ewing vicinity…and over the next 1-2 years, he’d probably be closer to an Emeka Okafor in terms of contribution/stats. Still a big upgrade.
At Durant’s size and build, he’s like a better Tayshaun Prince — a small forward, not a 4. And it does take those thin guys awhile to figure it out. Some (like Darius Miles) never do.
by Lunchpail Eddie on Mar 9, 2007 4:07 AM EST reply actions
Eric, you couldnt be more wrong. Durant plays a good amount of time at the 3 in college, so what makes you think he will be a power forward at the pro level? Unless he gains about 50 pounds in muscle, I cant see a 6’9 kid with his handle, agility, and shooting ability playing the 4 in the NBA.
Red, Durant is already capable of doing more than scoring. While everyone knows about his scoring ability (its hard not to when you have a 6’9 kid who can score in the post, drive to the basket, hit tough midranged jumpers, and flat out shoot it from deep!), people dont seem to realize that he can do many other things. Hes a good rebounder on both ends, a good passer, has a very good handle for his size, and is someone who values the team structure. He also WANTS to get better, and that includes on the defensive end.
I see Oden being a combination of Okafor and Dwight Howard. He has the size and strength of Howard, but the defensive ability and rebounding of Okafor. Not a bad combo.
by ucn33 on Mar 9, 2007 2:57 PM EST reply actions
Even if we get either player we still need to address other weaknesses to really improve. Oden will improve our defense in the paint but our perimeter D needs upgrading and I don’t know if Strainge feels that way. He may want to go all O and figure Durant, Al and Paul and bombs away! I don’t see it working without the defense. Simmons loves Durant but he alone can’t get it done. We will also need a vet point guard if we want to make big strides next year. Strainge still has a lot of work to do even if he gets lucky.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
