Do you truly believe this, or are you just being flippant? Just wondering if it's even worth arguing the point. Do you honestly not see why these two options aren't the only two options?
what's the third option? "I can't choose a side"? Shit, this is all in good fun, just choose something and we'll bump this later and have a good laugh about it. To me, Oden is an all or none prospect. he brings us to championship competitiveness or he's a bust. sorry, the hype makes it true. Like I said, take a stand for something.
First, you take a stand on this issue: A. Babies rock. I want to have 15 of them, all girls, with as many women as possible! I'd LOVE to be on the Shawn Kemp plan of fatherhood! B. Babies suck. I hate babies and their devious little faces and the way they all want to get you. If a baby were in front of me right now I'd step on her with cleats.
I completely agree with this. I bought season tickets the year after Portland drafted Roy and LA because I was sure it would be the beginning of a very successful Blazer era. I am more convinced then ever about this. To me a dominant Oden would be the piece that makes the team unfair, not the piece that makes them a contender.
And here's the exact problem. You see it as two sides, not a vast range of opinions. You don't think it's possible for someone to think Durant should've been the pick at this point, without thinking Oden is a complete bust? Or how about think Durant is an empty stats player and we shouldn't have selected either of them? Or how about just thinking it's too early to make any such decision? None of those are valid options? Mostly though I just hate trying to frame an argument as "us against them" as you seem to be trying to do with this poll.
Honk Honk. Durant should have been the pick. Oden is no Duncan. Durant / Roy / LMA would have been amazing.
If you look at the list of poll participants, almost everyone there posts at least occasionally. I think it's just easy to forget that there are 100+ of us that post regularly... Ed O.
I think 'neither' would make the most sense, based on the evidence so far. Is the team better with Greg than without? Absolutely. Is Greg a total bust? I don't think we have seen enough yet. Re KD: Durant is a fine player, but even a 10/10/2 (I don't think that's an unrealistic statline for GO) Oden helps the Blazers win more, IMO. Outside of Greg/Joel/Batum, our D is softer than Rebecca Haarlow's cans. Durant is no great shakes as a defender, and would probably only add to the problem. Based on all the hype coming in, how could any honest Blazer fan say they haven't been at least a little disappointed thus far?
I've been disappointed by three things: 1. His fouls 2. His injuries 3. The amount McMillan plays him when he's healthy and not in foul trouble If it weren't for those three things, I don't think he'd be disappointing at all. I hold him somewhat responsible for (1), I think (2) has mostly been bad luck. (3) I blame McMillan for. Obviously, he doesn't think Oden merits more time in those games, but I disagree with him. His on-court play has been very good, IMO. Which is the crux of the matter, as far as I'm concerned. If the injuries really were just bad luck and not signs of constant injuries, then there's nothing to worry about. He'll learn to play without fouling. If he was terrible when he was on the court, that'd be very bad news.
I guess I haven't been as impressed with him as you ALL THE TIME when he has been on the court. He's been decent to very good, but has really only had a few games I would call 'great'. I know he's been working his way into playing shape most of the season, so that is likely a part of it. Just trying to be honest/realistic with myself here... I don't know if GO is going to be what I originally hoped- but my expectations for his NBA career were probably under-informed and over-inflated.
I wouldn't say "all the time" either. I just mean, in total. He's been up and down, but his overall level of play has been strong for a rookie center. Considering he still has a huge amount of upside represented in his lack of experience, young age and still-returning athleticism, I'm not too worried. If he keeps getting hurt or he doesn't keep improving, then I'll be worried.
