While I agree with the sentiment of this (opening old wounds, re-beating dead horses, etc.), the fact is, hopefully let THIS is the last word: The Drafting of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan was, at the time, the correct decision that every other GM in the league would have done, given the pieces that the Blazers had at the time (Jim Paxson, Clyde Drexler, had just traded Wayne Cooper for Kiki Vandeweghe), whom they were competing against (The Lakers with Kareem, Ralph Sampson with the Rockets, Mark Eaton with the Jazz), and the prevailing paradigm that Centers win championships. The Blazers and their fans deserve this issue to be put to rest once and for all.
Great article. Bowie still had a decent career with some spectacular games. Oden is the true bust, not Bowie.
No the Blazers Medical Staff is a Bust. Giving a player MF surgery at 18 years of age was ill advised. Greg could have had just as long a career if it wasn't for the first MF Gamble.
Was ut their medical staff that gave him a MF? I thought it was an independent doctor. Also, what 18 year old NEEDS a MF in the first fucking place? And then needs 2 more in the next 4 years, and has a kneecap explode on him?
Independent Doctor. However, the Blazers irresponsibly put the option of MF on the table in the first place knowing that the damage could possibily be severe enough to warrant it. Regardless the warrant he was too young for it to even be consider, IMHO. Oden to undergo knee surgery Oden undergoes micro fracture surgery, likely out for the season
So, it's the Blazers fault that an independent doctor, who knows far more about knees than you or I do, suggested he had a MF? I wish he didn't need it or have it, but I think you're stretching here.
Shot in the dark perhaps, but the same could be said for giving your 18 year old #1 draft pick MF surgery. Regardless who's fault it was, it was a short sighted operation IMO, especially when considering the relatively newness of the procedure.
"He had a 38-point game against Minnesota and a 34-point, 15-rebound game against Houston and Olajuwon." I remember that 34/15 game against Houston. Hakeem was in his prime and considered the best center in the game - and Sam, for one night, completely dominated him. Here's a link to the box score. Here's another link to the 38/20 game he had against Minnesota. The guy definitely had talent. No doubt about that. Both those games were AFTER all the injuries. Imagine how good he could have been if he'd ever been healthy. BNM
