More KD Thoughts

After reading the results of the annual NBA GM preseason poll, in which league executives picked Kevin Durant as the player they'd most like to start a franchise with, I can't help but wonder if Sam Bowie is finally able to relax a little.

Now we know... KD was just being his humble self.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Sam or Greg Oden were bad draft picks, but it's becoming clearer and clearer that they were the wrong picks.  No matter what Oden does from here out, he won't reach the level that KD has already attained.  And, Durant is only getting better.

The taste is particularly bitter if you're in any way involved with the Portland Trailblazers, to be sure.  As a fan, an executive, a coach, a player, whatever.  You've been the unfortunate loser in two of the most lopsided draft mistakes in memory, if not ever.

Imagine for a moment a Blazers starting lineup of Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Marcus Camby/Joel Pryzbilla.  Then give me Nick Batum, Rudy Fernandez, Wes Matthews/Martell Webster etc. off the bench..?  Dayum.

OK, I do realize that the rosters wouldn't have shaken out quite like this if Durant had been chosen over Oden, but the foundation of Roy, Durant, and Aldridge would be there.  And that's more than enough to build a strong contender on top of, if you ask me.

Sorry, I know hindsight is 20/20 and all that.  The Blazers are solid nonetheless.  But just imagine...

Below the FIBA radar

Hmmm... the FIBA World Championships are in full swing, and where has all the Rudy Fernandez talk gone?  Nowhere, I say, which is exactly where Rudy will be going before the season starts.

Mi amigo, vamos a ganar

There's no doubt in my mind that ol' Rudy has grossly overvalued himself as an NBA player.  He doesn't seem to be helping his case much in Turkey, either.  If he thinks he'll be traded to a team where he'll be starting, I can tell him right now that the Washington Generals don't have the pieces for a trade, and I can't see him starting anywhere else.

Of course, anything can happen once the season starts.  Players get injured.  Unexpected teams start to make a run.  Before you know it, somebody needs some shooting and energy off the bench for their playoff push. 

Rest easy in Stumptown, Rudy.  You'll get your ticket out when the time comes.  You may even get a chance to play with one of your Spanish buddies once Sasha Vujacic wears out his welcome...

End of Summer (League)

Quick thoughts on the Las Vegas summer league games:

No surprise that John Wall thrived in this setting.  In the Big Show, I think he'll have some trouble scoring for a while, but he'll be plenty of trouble for veteran guards to keep up with.  Therefore, his teammates should get plenty of good looks off of help.  Enter JaVale McGee, who looks like he could have a bright future indeed...

Smart move to crop the mop, Luke.

Are the Kings the next Thunder..?  Well, they don't exactly have Kevin Durant on board, but they're off to a good start with Evans and Cousins.  Now, where will that cap room go..?

And to the NorthWest, I can't help but feel that our buddy Luke Babbitt will be little more than a specialist for the Blazers, coming in to spread the floor and hit open shots.  I'm not down on this fact, mind you, as I believe there's a well-defined place for specialists of this kind on any team, but I hope Coach Nate will be able to find someone to fill up the minutes that got traded away with Martell Webster.  At least Luke cut his hair.

Baby steps?

So, what has Portland been doing in the midst of all this NBA hoopla?  Staying on the cusp.

Yes, flipping Martell Webster for Luke Babbitt and Ryan Gomes was the right move.  Gives them two more solid role players for the price of one.  Yes, Phoenix and Utah are weaker.  For now.  But are you really competing, even in the West?  Are they biding their time until the Lakers current dynasty is done?  The newsflash should be that the Thunder have already leapfrogged them.  We'll need to see a big move, involving LA, most likely, to stay near the top of the West.