With the first pick of the 2007 NBA draft....

20,000

It seemed a foregone conclusion that Greg Oden would be the obvious #1 choice in this upcoming draft (if he declares, that is). But now there is argument that Kevin Durant out of Texas should be #1. Honestly, I have not seen him play, but after what he did to Texas Tech the guy looks insane and unstoppable.

But Oden (Ohio State) is a tall, defensive C who many people liken to Bill Russell.

If you had the #1 choice this year, who would you pick for? Size and defensive excellence in Oden, or a SF with tremendous offensive skills in Durant (though he did get 23 rebounds as well against TT)?

Will this go down as skipping on Michael Jordan to draft a big man in Sam Bowie all over again? Or is Oden the real deal?

Or is there another player out there, a dark horse if you will, who you would pick if you had the top pick?
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magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

Durant is a sure-fire All-Star at the next level.

Oden is a sure-fire defensive anchor and stud C.

Only question is, "Does your team need someone to carry the offense as a franchise talent, or do you need help defensively."
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angel · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

It's hard to imagine a team passing on Greg Oden. A team that needed Durant more might draft Oden and trade Durant. Even a team with the #2 would give a lot to trade for Oden if a big center is what they needed. If the team with the #1 overall pick was higher on Durant, they might trade #1 for #2 and another first rounder.
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fansincemagic · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 11051

As great as Durant is, the only way Oden isn't the top pick is if he decides to stay at OSU for another year. Oden is a solid post defender that doesn't give up positioning to swipe at balls he won't get to, he trys to block shots in play, and can walk right in and anchor your defense. Durant may put up numbers close to KG, but who would pass on the next Bill Russell? I kinda hope the Celts end up with him and we meet them in the finals in the future.

TACH · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject:

With the way the game is going (style and officiating), I think Kevin Durant may be the way to go...

Just $0.02....

Socks · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject:

Oden is doing what he's doing right now with one hand - his off hand. Plus he's a seven foot center. Durant is putting up crazy numbers, but I gotta go with Oden on the big man rule. It's just so much harder to find a big guy like that. You may not be able to find a guy like Durant very easily either, but you can find a ton of guys to do a pretty good job at the swing position whereas there's a much steeper drop off when you're talking back to the basket big men.

Dr. Funkbot · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:45 am Post subject:

Oden should be #1 IMHO. He looks REALLY good on Defense out there. His right hand has healed and he actually makes his free throws.

Oden just dominates on Defense, when he has to sit, Ohio state goes into a funk and can not stop anybody. He is not putting up the Gaudy #'s that Durant is, but that kind of Defensive anchor is just hard to quantify, except in wins and losses.

You watch this guy play and his wingspan and size just jump out at you- for being a 7 footer, he has really long arms, Elton Brand arms + he is really athletic and jump muliple times for a rebound in an instant.

I am blown away by Durant too- he will be a great pro. Really you could not go wrong with either of these guys, but due to his size and Defense, I say Oden should be #1.
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Lakersfield · Star Player Joined: 11 Apr 2001 Posts: 6003

If I were Boston I would take Oden. He fits a need and is the best availible a long with Durant. If Memphis had the top pick I would take Durant. He plays the entire floor and there isn't anything he can't do.
Plus he will be more marketable.
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C-BUS LAKERFAN · Star Player Joined: 30 May 2002 Posts: 1441

Durant, because Oden is staying. Hopefully.

Dr. Funkbot · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject:

C-BUS LAKERFAN · Star Player Joined: 30 May 2002 Posts: 1441

AirKobe8 · Star Player Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 8586

Durant is the superior overall player, but the NBA has a higher demand for Centers.
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Mike@LG · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

Oden should still be #1.
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davidse · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 14302

oden for sure.

there was some doubt when he was really injured and durant played so great, but with every passing week of oden performing healthy, it becomes a no brainer with him being such a special big man.

still, there will allways be hakeem/jordan to look back at...
who's to say it can't happen again...