2006 - 2007 NBA Season Discussion Thread

[MoreWineII]

One more thing, when did Ruben Patterson get that vast array of offensive moves?

[ThaSaltCracka]

Kwame was very hyped, but point taken. If pwntown does draft Oden, they would have to move several players. Would be another circus in the offseason here.

[capone0]

Did you hear about Kwame Brown when he was a freshman out of high school? I heard about Lebron that young. I heard about Oden just about as young. I heard of Kwame monthes before the draft but that was about it and I'm a big basketball fan. Likewise, I heard of Howard about Junior year when he was in a huge AAU squad. But I'm pretty sure Oden is about as hyped or maybe slightly less then Lebron. Kwame was no way at either of their levels. I don't think teams or fans were willing to sacrifice a whole season to get #1 for Kwame but I'm pretty sure many were for Lebron and now Oden.

[Aloysius]

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Kwame was no way at either of their levels.

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Capone - not sure that using "relative hype" is a good metric in arguing the case for Oden - Kwame was still the overall #1 pick (conceding it was a weak big man draft class) and while less hyped than Oden... it's just hype.

Zach Randolph went #19 that year.... wow.

-Al

[capone0]

Okay, maybe it was just hype. Thing is, he's big, he's got a huge wingspan. He plays D better than he plays O. He's pretty smart, atleast that's what the articles say. I'm not saying he can't fail, but I'd rather put my bets into a guy like him who plays a 5 position then one who plays the 3, which seem to be the position of choice in the NBA. There is no doubt Durant will also be a stud, I'd just rather have a Shaq/Duncan type player rather than a KG type in the NBA, even though a KG type will still be great, it's just easier to build around a Shaq/Duncan.

[kidcolin]

Actually I agree with capone0 here. #1 picks flounder all the time. No big deal there. Usually when a guy is being courted years before he even graduates high school, he's going to be a stud. GMs may have gotten a little youth-happy in the past few years, but there was really never much doubt about guys like KG, Kobe, and Lebron.

Celtics tank, draft Oden. Oden, Green, Gomes, Jefferson, and Rondo win 3-4 rings in the second decade.

[kidcolin]

capone0, I withdraw my support for you. You blew it with the Shaq/Duncan as opposed to KG debate. KG and Duncan are the same "type" of player. They're both big 4s who can play the 5 when needed. Why are you mentioning KG in a 5 vs 3 debate?!?!?

Put KG in either Shaq or Duncan's situation, and he has a couple of rings by now. He's one of the best ever.. better than both of those two.

[capone0]

Heh I guess. Really you think better than both of those 2? I'm not going to argue but I don't have the same thinking. Your right, KG is also very good.

The reason I bring up KG is Durant is in the mold of him. Skinny, tall, long wing span. I just think it's easier to build from a bigger guy, tall, long wing span. KG has all the talent in the world, I just guess he's been in the wrong place and wrong time while Shaq has always been in the right place right time. I personally think Shaq is better than KG, atleast basketball winning wise especially in the playoffs, but that's just me.

[Aloysius]

KC / Capone:

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Usually when a guy is being courted years before he even graduates high school, he's going to be a stud.

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I'm not sure about this - the highschool prospect hype machine has been in place, and *growing*, ever since the KG / Kobe draft class. Here's a good article on the hype machine building up Demetrius Walker.

That being said, you guys are probably right in that there is some level of hype and noise that is so high, it means something (Oden / KG / Kobe level). If anything, the draft rule changes will help Oden. For example, Shaun Livingston is looking better and better each game, but that kid could *really* have used even just a season at Duke.

-Al

[kidcolin]

I'm slightly exaggerating about KG being better than both of them. I'd say it's about a push with Duncan, and I'm not sure about Shaq. I tend to think Shaq has been overrated his whole career, but I can't deny his dominance, either. He played in a depleted big-men era and always on a good team with one of the league's most dynamic 2-guards.