Draft Oden and then what?
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by user Stumptown
I put together my master plan for the Portland Trailblazers offseason for Stumptown Sports at the request of Kevin Pritchard and Blazer management….ok, not really, but I’m sure he would like to read this…..so I thought I would share it here.
I’ve got similar opinions on most of the teams in the NBA and maybe I will get around to sharing some of those as well, but for now, here are my thoughts on the Blazers and what they should do this off season
•1. Draft Oden and sleep like a baby knowing that you can not build any kind of team you want.
I don’t think I’ve laid it out here yet, so let me give you (the reader) the basic reasons why Portland should draft Greg over Kevin. When Kobe and Shaq were headed for divorce, they started a great debate. Who would you rather build your team around? Shaq is a unique dominant force. Kobe is a hyper-skilled scorer with apparently no ceiling. Both play to win and both have their flaws. In my experience, the common answer outside of LA where people are still drunk on the Kobe Kool-aid, was that if they are both the same age, you take Shaq. Why? Because as skilled as Kobe is, big guys who dominate are extremely rare and two-guards that score in bunches are much less rare.
I agree with that take and would add something else. The best, most consistent basketball teams play the game inside-out rather than outside-in. There are exceptions to that general rule, but in general, the game is better when you can have your first option be close to the basket and allow the perimeter players to play off that rather than the other way around. Something tells me, Chicago Bulls fans will have my back on that one after this year’s playoffs as would anyone who has to play the Spurs this year. You will just usually be better if your top scorer shoots the high percentage that comes with point-blank shots than if your top scorer is a volume shooting guard who shoots in the 30s.
I’ve already heard comparisons between Oden and Durant to the Okafor/Howard (not in the same league) draft when it could have gone either way and lots of comparisons here in Portland to the Bowie/Jordan fiasco. But this is no Bowie/Jordan. If you are going to go back to that draft, you should be asking Hakeem or Jordan. Even with it being Jordan, that is still a tougher question. Ha made the Rockets contenders and brought them some jewelry as well, but Jordan was the best ever, a marketing freak and got 6 rings for the good folks of Chicago. Still, I think there will never be another Jordan and the closer comparison is Kobe and Shaq. Who do you start with if they are both the same age? Even putting aside my hatred for Kobe, I would still take Shaq. And, likewise, I think you have to take Oden over Durant.
I believe Durant could be the better player. He will certainly be the better scorer and could be a one of a kind franchise player mixing the best of Kobe and KG in an unstoppable combination. Of course, he could also be a more athletic version of Dirk with the same defensive liabilities and could fall in love with his jumper so much that he never becomes more than Rashard Lewis. I really doubt it, but it is possible. To be honest, especially living with the whole “passed on Jordan” thing, I am terrified to pass on Durant. But I think Oden is the better pick. Here’s why:
a. He could be the best true center since Shaq and centers like that come along once every 20 years or so. Great scoring wing players come along in some form just about every year. Maybe not like Durant, but still.
b. Portland needs a 5 more than they need a 3. The current team and what is out there in the league will allow Portland to cover the 3 spot much easier than they can the 5 especially if Przybilla doesn’t awaken from his coma. I don’t like drafting for need in the lottery, but if you have a near tie….
c. Personally, I think Oden is going to be better. I have concerns about health, but I think he is going to be dominant offensively when he gets his wrist all the way back and is already a much better defensive player. You can build any kind of lineup you want around a player like that. Not as much with Durant.
•2.Trade Jack and a second round pick for Atlanta’s number 3 pick (maybe it takes more and you could always throw in Fred Jones or something). Draft Al Horford.
I like Jack. I’m a fan and I think he is a legit starting PG in this league who has improved every year and will likely continue to improve. I also really hope he turns things around and works out in Portland. But I think he has taken all the trade talk and Sergio love too much to heart and I think he is a bit oversensitive and could hurt the chemistry of this team and since his trade value is pretty high right now, I would make this deal. I draft Horford because I think he is the 3 rd best player available and I think he gives the Blazers and up and coming stud off the bench in the post who can play right away spelling Aldridge when Aldridge goes to the bench or spells Oden at the 5.
•3.Trade 2 of the remaining second round picks and cash to move back into the first round late to take Almond or Byars.
You can’t have too many shooters and I like both of those guys.
•4. Sign Steve Blake to a modest FA contract.
Blake wants to come back. He can play with Roy even when Roy moves to the point because he’s a good enough shooter. He’s a veteran and seems to be a good chemistry guy who doesn’t need to shoot a lot. Plus people in Portland really like him which helps.
•5.Re-sign Ime and Outlaw
Ime is really one of the toughest things to find in the NBA. He is a very good wing defender who doesn’t need to shoot and is happy to concentrate on defending the other team’s best perimeter player. Plus he can knock down open 3s and he’s not a head case. He’s basically a cleaner Bruce Bowen. Got to have one, and I think he should be starting. Outlaw worked what passes for his skinny butt off working on his jumper and improving his game. He can play the 3 or the 4 and can defend and run. He’s a bit of a black hole, but you can live with that from a guy coming off the bench for a spark.
•6.Trade Zach and Martell to Chicago for Nocioni, P.J. Brown and Gordon.
I would still prefer Rashard, but this is a good consolation prize if you can get the Bulls to give up Gordon. Maybe some other spare parts would be needed, but make this deal work. That would give the Blazers a starting lineup of Oden, Aldridge, Ime, Roy and Blake and a crunch time lineup of Oden, Aldridge, Nocioni, Roy and Gordon. That is a killer team. You also have Prz, Outlaw, P.J., Sergio and Almond off the bench. That’s a playoff team starting next year for the next 15 years.
If you see KP around, feel free to lay this out for him. I’m sure he’ll thank you.
