Let's travel back in time, andgo back to May 22, 2007.</p> Let'simaginethey'restillrollingtheping-pongballs.</p> Eachteamsrepresentativehasasmileupontheirface.</p> Thefirstninepicks(14-6)havebeendetermined.</p> ThefifthselectiongoestoSeattle.NextselectionthengoestoPortland.ThethirdgoestoMilwaukee.Portlandgetsthesecondpick.</p> AndourCelticsendupwiththefirstpickinthe2007NBAdraft.</p> </p> Youare nowpresentedwithtwooptions.</p> 1) You keep the pick, draft Greg Oden.</p> or</p> 2) You fast forward to August 1st, 2007.</p> Whichoptiondoyouchoseandwhy?</p>
Oden, easily. Oden means the Celtics will be contenders for at least eight consecutive seasons. He's that significant.
With Oden in place, you cant trade for Ray Allen, so you lose that piece, but, you have a young big at the 5....at that point, you likely keep rebuilding slowly, but maybe you dont....maybe you still go after Garnett, team him with Oden and Pierce and try to win early and often....In my opinion, Oden is a near perfect compliment to any prolific scorer, because he wont need the ball to make an impact, especially early, when his defense will be his redeeming quality....If i had to choose between Oden or Garnett and Allen, Id choose Oden, if for no other reason than that 7 footers who arent stiffs are difficult to get. and having one for his whole career could be fantastic
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Premier)</div><div class='quotemain'>We still could've traded for Garnett with Oden.</div></p> </p> could have? yes, would they? I dont think they would have....if you had Oden secured, then it feels like you are successfully rebuilding and maybe you stay the course, keep Jefferson, maybe even send Pierce out, and commit to the youth monement while Oden develops....thats what I would have done if I was the Celtics and secured Greg Oden</p>
I'd take Oden. However looking back to what actually happened on draft day, and knowing we now have Allen and Garnett, I'd say Ainge made the most of it.
I think if the Celtics took Oden they would have used some pieces to grab a PG and keep Al Jefferson.
I choose the second option. Oden seems like an injury prone player. (cwebb) I hope he never gets injured and wish Portland good luck with that. </p> Still IMO to win now, KG-PP-RA is right choice. </p>
