For the "haters"...what would it take?

Rudy = Steve Kerr or Tony Kukoc in that scenario.

 

Yeah, optimistically I'd say Kukoc. Blake is Kerr.

 

"Scapegoat" implies being singled out unfairly.

Last season, Oden had 3 problems: fouls, injuries, and stretches of play when he appeared to just be going through the motions. If he doesn't address those issues, he will be a big target - but it will be justified.

As for actual "scapegoats", I would say the leading candidates are Outlaw and Miller. Miller because he is the highly touted newcomer. Outlaw because....well, I have never been quite sure. He is not a great player - but he is also a bench player on a team friendly contract. Unlike certain other players (eg Webster, Miles) he isn't even a failed lotto pick. Bashing him because he isn't on par with Roy or LMA seems churlish at best....but that doesn't seem to stop people.

Blake? The only way I see him becoming a scapegoat, is if he turns into a poisonous personality in the locker-room....and I can't see that happening.

 

Wow i never really thought of it like that. You gotta good point there. I mean he has a very manageable contract, wasn't a high draft pick and well... Is a bench player. I guess you can't ask too much on that.

 

Actually, the best candidate for scapegoat is probably not a player at all. It is probably Nate.

 

Ding Ding!