Durant declares for NBA draft...

Kevin Durant leaves Texas as expected.

OK, I'm looking for Mr. Plant to do me a favor. Could you please call up your boy Greg Oden, and please tell him to leave OSU for me? Thanks, that'd be great. Even though he's expected to leave, I want to know ASAP lol...

Reason being, if Oden leaves for the draft, he will most likely be the #1 pick (I hope). Anything can happen in the NBA Lottery, but percentages at this would point to the Memphis Grizzles to get the #1 slot. Then, as things are looking now with a few games left, the Celt's are percentage-wise in the slot for the #2 pick. Of course, anything can happen.

Long story short...I want Durant in the Bean. And if Oden, for some odd reason, doesn't come out...I'm sure whoever has that #1 pick (Memphis) is going to go with my boy Kev. Would I take Oden? Yes. Would I take Durant over Oden if we got the first pick by chance? Yes. Durant is the better overall player IMHO, and could bring great things to come. Plus, I just like his style better, and think he is more of the kind of player we need than Oden at this point.

That would make absolutely no sense for Celtics to take Durant over Oden.

You still have a couple prime years in Paul Pierce and even in his decline, I figure he'll still be a great 2nd tier option. Even if you do decide to draft to draft Durant, where are you going to trade Pierce and his albatross contract for near-equal value? Al Jefferson is going to be pretty good, but his game is more suited at the PF position, and he has the potential to be severely dominant with an adequate C by his side, let alone Greg Oden.

Look at Beantown's history. When you guys had great centers, that equaled championships. Bill Russell, Robert Parish.

A team that should take Durant would be a team like Milwaukee or Charlotte, who badly needs a player with excellent inside-outside skill. Teams that don't have a lack in big men.

Boston does. Other than Al Jefferson, you have.....Theo Ratliff.

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Originally Posted by thcbongman

That would make absolutely no sense for Celtics to take Durant over Oden.

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That sentence is what makes absolutely no sense buddy. First of all, chances are that we have no chance for Oden anyway. If you knew ANYTHING of the Celt's at all, you'd realize we have been re-building for the last few years. That time is up. If Oden were to be picked, it would slow down the process even more. He might bring a few rebounds and some defense, but what we need is an immediate impact. All Durant needs is a few pounds, and he's all set. Oden needs offense...just a minor part of basketball. Even with Pierce (who had his best season as a pro LAST season..definitely more than a 'few more' prime years), Al, and GG, where's the offense? We will never be a defensive team, even with Oden. We got Rondo at the point, running and gunning. Oden isn't going to mesh with that, but Durant can storm up and down the court on the break or pop out. Perk isn't great, but he's definitely a defensive presence enough to jam the middle. Not in anyway saying Oden will be a dud, but he's much more likely than Durant, and that's not a good chance to take, when Perk and Al can make up for what he will bring his first year or so.

Plus, we are going to grab a vet or two when the time comes. Ratliff is gone with his big contract. Wally is most likely gone with his big contract and injuries. Then we got a few other guys I don't see hanging around. We can get Durant, than pick up a vet center to compliment Perk/Al at the 5.

I'm not saying Oden wouldn't help, but it's unlikely we get the #1 pick and Ainge is looking at Durant, so why even think about Oden at this point. That makes absolutely no sense.

Lol...I think what makes the LEAST sense is how hellbent you are on the Celtics...the CELTICS..."rebuilding" so quickly and suddenly making an impact in not only the Eastern conference, but the whole league.

"Oh, we're just rebuilding." I've been hearing that ever since Paul Pierce first got on the team, and then when Walker left, and also when WALLY joined the team.....oh WALLY.....It's going to take more than ANY lottery pick in this or any upcoming draft to save the Celtics. Don't get me wrong, the Bulls took a LONG time to rebuild, BUT, muahaha, they finally did, and are already in the playoffs...

As for Oden declaring, I'm sure he will. They always do. It'd be smart on his part if he stuck around for the full 4 years, but when all that cash is right around the corner, who can blame him. ~

I know Boston has been in rebuilding mode for a few years, but I blame Danny boy more than anyone else. That guy has to be the worst GM in the league. He makes bonehead trades, and totally mismanaged the cap. His attempts to rectify that so far paid off with getting Sebastian Telfair for a year lessened on a bad contract, and trading a 7th pick in the process! That that 7th pick for essentially him was dumb! I definitely see your point on how you want immediate impact, given the frustrations over the year.

What are the chances of acquiring average center in free agency, vs an above-average SG, or SF? Chances are better on the lather.

You can have a center learn to play offense better. Look at Tyson Chandler. A couple years ago, I'd say he is the 2nd worst offense player to Michael Ruffin (if you ever seen this play, you'll know what I mean.) Now he found his offense. One thing you can't teach is that size-speed combination.

If Oden is off the board, damn, take Durant. But if it was a choice between the two, I'd go for the long-term and entrench the C position with Oden.

I obviously didn't mean to come off like that. The team isn't second last in the league for nothing (well they are 3-35 without Pierce, which is no excuse I guess lol, but it just goes to show we need another offensive presence). I know it's going to take more than a draft pick, that's what we have all these players we don't need for. And, Ainge made some dumb trades, everyone knows that, come on now...no need to dwell on that shit lol.

Once they made the Eastern finals in '02, and the second round in '03, it all went to shit. But, once again, we are in a position to move up a notch...that's all I'm saying. A good point guard in Rondo, Al is going to be in his prime, Pierce doing what he does, Gerald with another year of experience, Gomes is a complete player that can either start or come off the bench. Add Durant into that mix along with a vet center or other big guy, hey, you can't help but see at least something positive, but that's just my opinion.

Yeah THC, I think all Celtic fans are a bit disgruntled. I've seen the Pats do their thing, the Sox, so now we need our Shamrocks to prevail. But, what I'm thinking, and you might not agree...is we have so many players that just don't fit in IMO, from Wally to Telfair to Tony Allen to Ratliff...and these guys can be traded...I know someone would want Wally...so maybe pick up a big guy that way.

We all know Durant is going to be an excellent player, but is he going to have immediate impact like LeBron, or more along the lines of Chris Bosh, who needed a couple of years before he truly become dominant? It's really hard to gauge him with NBA competition because he was superior to everyone else in the NCAA. It wouldn't surprise me if he got 20 and 10 his first year, but I don't expect it either, if you know what I mean.....

You couldn't go wrong either way, both players are franchise cornerstones.

I see your point about the center position. It's a lost art in the NBA. But also, it's a lost art in the NBA lol. Meaning, most of the league puts 2's at the 1, creating a smaller lineup harder to contest with. I understand your logic, but I almost feel the league is moving further and further away from even having a center position.

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Originally Posted by thcbongman

We all know Durant is going to be an excellent player, but is he going to have immediate impact like LeBron, or more along the lines of Chris Bosh, who needed a couple of years before he truly become dominant? It's really hard to gauge him with NBA competition because he was superior to everyone else in the NCAA. It wouldn't surprise me if he got 20 and 10 his first year, but I don't expect it either, if you know what I mean.....

You couldn't go wrong either way, both players are franchise cornerstones.

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Only time will tell.

When I made the first post, it was slightly based on the fact that I just like Durant better personally, thus wanting him on my team lol. But, then I had to defend my statement. Might be right, might be wrong..I'd just love to see Durant come here. Hopefully the luck of the Irish helps, and doesn't shit on the C's like it has been, I wouldn't be suprised with them ending up with the #3 pick LOL!

Oh I feel you in that way. Many teams are going small ball because of the defense hand-check rule, but to this point, no one has won a championship without a dominant defensive force in the frontcourt. But watching a small-ball oriented offense for all these years, there's many things wrong with it. I should tell you that I seen Ryan Gomes have career games against the Wizards because of a lack of a defensive presence. If he did that every game, he'd be an all-star.

Classic example, my team, the Wizards. I have to admit, it's quite a fun offense to watch, high-scoring games, it's exciting. Other than steals, our defense sucks ass. but with an injury to Caron, then to Gilbert, the season is over, gone to the toilet. That's what you get when your whole offense depends on 3 guys, and you lack any depth, especially with 2 centers who physically fight each other often, and one is a crybaby. My hope is that they tank, but I know they have too much pride to do that.

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Originally Posted by MacWQ33

I see your point about the center position. It's a lost art in the NBA. But also, it's a lost art in the NBA lol. Meaning, most of the league puts 2's at the 1, creating a smaller lineup harder to contest with. I understand your logic, but I almost feel the league is moving further and further away from even having a center position.

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its a shame, because center is like the key position. think of the lakers run with shaq and kobe. what happened after shaq left? the lakers are slipping in the playoff race, seeding-wise, while shaq and the heat won the title in his 2nd year there. detroit won with ben wallace as the focal point of there d. then the spurs with there combo of tim duncan and david robinson. all these classic teams all have one thing in common, a great center. you could argue the bulls, but luc longley did the job for them.

as for me, id rather have oden. he's a big, big dude. and with the injury to his right hand, he had to start using his left, meaning he can use both hands now. i think he's quite the complete player. and i think he could stay another year after how close OSU came, and since the fab 4 of florida left.

A little birdy told me Oden might stay. He might announce it tomorrow.

I think it would be great if he stayed.

He needs a couple of years dominating in college to become dominant in the NBA. He has to learn how to feel like the biggest man out there.

Oden's in!!! Thank god...was starting to worry me there.

And, honestly, I was pretty woozy with all those comments above (I think I just wanted to disagree), and you might be right about Oden and the C's...I'd say Oden's going Uno no matter who gets it, although it's probably the Grizz.

Durant's my boy though, so either way will be absolutely fine with me. I just hope those ping pong balls don't fuck this one up like last time (fucking Duncan...sigh).

21 years old on the 27th, the Draft on the 28th, then the 3rd and 4th...should be a great week (understatement).

I don't think Oden will get taken over Durant. If he does, I'd probably question the judgment of that GM. Durant will more than likely have a better career in the league, too. There have been plenty of guys with a big-league status in college like Oden, and once they make the jump to the big boys, you see them sink into their place. Anybody remember the man with the heart of gold, Mateen Cleaves? He carried Mich St. on his back, then the next year he's riding pine.

Durant's more polished and doesn't have as much ground to make up, even though I love Oden's caveman look, he'll be just another name in a few years...at least the way I see it.

This is why you stay in school kids! ~

I definitely agree about Durant, but it's hard to say about Gregory. Really though...I was looking at this sports forum, and there's so many good reasons for both players, it could honestly go either way. I'd say a tad bit more of the percentage was towards Oden. And everyone on ESPN argues Oden, and most of the guys on my local station.

I'm kind of glad we (hopefully) have the 2 spot LOL, because I don't think I could decide now that I actually think about it. Durant's my guy and he would look lovely in Green, but like was said earlier, centers and defense help with the rings, which is the ultimate destiny.

Whatever happens will be fine with me as long as we don't end up with the 3 spot AGAIN.

Yeah I can see why so many are in love with Oden. He's young as hell, and seems to dominate the competition.

He shows promise for sure, but with all the mistakes over the years with GM's drafting promising young talent on a WHIM that they'll turn out to be some MJ-reincarnation or something, and it end ups blowing up in their face. Case in point: Kwame Brown. Hahaha that's all I can say about that rotten mother fucker. AND he's on my Lakers now...hmmm...granted Kwame was in high school, but Oden's only a freshman. He sticks around a couple more years and shows what he's got, and then we'll talk.

I just couldn't bear to take a huge risk if I were a GM. This is kinda why I'm in favor of an age limit for those that declare...21+

Another STUD in college was U of Illinois' Dee Brown. That little dude toar apart the NCAA, but nothing of what he was now that he's in the league. Darren Williams, on the other hand, is keepin' it real.

Durant's "proven" more as far as a player, to me at least, and that's why he seems like a safer bet. That's really all it is, too, when comparing these oafs. Well, do you feel lucky? Do you? :stoned:

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Originally Posted by MacWQ33

Not in anyway saying Oden will be a dud, but he's much more likely than Durant, and that's not a good chance to take.

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We be in much agreement 'bout that.

Either way though, hopefully be doin' the happy dance lol.