If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

[GBrushTWood]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

#2 pick is the much better position to be in if you are a GM. That is obvious. Assuming Oden comes out, which isn't definite yet, then as the GM of the team with the #2 pick, you can do no wrong. It's a no brainer selection because you can't make the wrong pick. It may not turn out for the best, but nobody would criticize selecting Durant or Oden over Horford, Wright, et al.

As for the Durant vs. Oden argument, I am a staunch Durant supporter. I do not care about your "once every twenty years argument" surrounding Oden. I do not care that each team needs a center more than they need a PF/SF/slasher type. None of this argument gets to the crux of the matter, which is, who is the better player? I think Durant is unquestionably better right now, tomorrow, and for the next 20 years. And at such a young age, he has astronomical potential.

Durant has that unquantifiable characteristic that all the fantastic players have. You know, when the guy has the ball and you know it is going into the hoop before he even takes the shot. I have no idea of quantifying that, but I know Durant has it, and I know he's going to be a disgusting ball player. I take him over Oden and worry about working out the logistical lineup issues later.

[Leahmic223]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

I think Oden has a higher ceiling because he plays great defense. Defense is one of the harder parts of the game to learn, A good coach can always teach him new moves to use down low, help him get a bit stronger, and he can be a 20-10 guy.

[ubernoob]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Speaking as a huge Milwaukee fan...

If we got the #1 pick and didn't take Durant there should be some riots going on. Bucks roster goes like this:

PG- Could use a better guard (more dishes, less scoring prefferably)
SG- Got it
SF- Biggest need
PF- Got it
C- Got it.

[PlayaHataSupreme]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

I think Oden has a higher ceiling because he plays great defense. Defense is one of the harder parts of the game to learn, A good coach can always teach him new moves to use down low, help him get a bit stronger, and he can be a 20-10 guy.

Just wanted to complement this point.......

I read in an SI about a month or so ago about how shotblocking really can't be taught........ only so many players have that natural shotblocking ability that can't be taught, and there's no doubt that Oden has that.

Just imagine if Charlotte got the 1 pick........ Okafor and Oden......... oh boy............

[Pointguard]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Just wanted to complement this point.......

I read in an SI about a month or so ago about how shotblocking really can't be taught........ only so many players have that natural shotblocking ability that can't be taught, and there's no doubt that Oden has that.

Just imagine if Charlotte got the 1 pick........ Okafor and Oden......... oh boy............

Except on offense, neither Oden or Okafor can hit the jumper enough to keep teams honest. The Spurs made it work with two bigmen because Robinson was an exceptional jump shooter for a C and even Duncan can step out. Sure Charlotte would be great defensively, but their offense hurts. Durant however, is that #1 scoring option they have been looking for.

Its really a tough call for alot of the top teams with a chance at the #1 pick IMO.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Durant will be nothing in this league until he puts on at least 20, 30 pounds.

I'd go with Oden.

Besides, they're both young, so their bodies will fill out anyway.

Too bad the Atlanta pick owed to the Suns isn't unprotected THIS year (It's Top 3 Protected).

[ehh]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Except on offense, neither Oden or Okafor can hit the jumper enough to keep teams honest.

Wasn't that the case with Ewing and Olajuwon coming out of college? People act like Oden isn't going to develop at all, like he's never going to average over 15 ppg.

I want the #1 pick so I can make my own decision, I don't care about pressure or anything else. I take Oden and I do it without blinking an eye.

I've said this at least a dozen times on OS and I'm sure I'll say it another 50 - if you want to win championships you take Oden. Outside of the '04 Pistons the last 8 NBA titles have been won by Shaq or Duncan, the two dominant big men in the league.

I've also said that Durant will be one of the top five players in the NBA within three years, but we never saw guys like McGrady or Kobe in college so we don't have a great barometer for Durant. Who knows, maybe McGrady and Kobe could have averaged 35 a game their freshman year in college. You rarely see freshman who can create their own shot whenever they please. I think Durant will be an amazing scorer in the NBA but I don't believe he'll be capable of carrying his team to a title without much help, just like guys such as Kobe and McGrady haven't been able to do.

[Leahmic223]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Except on offense, neither Oden or Okafor can hit the jumper enough to keep teams honest. The Spurs made it work with two bigmen because Robinson was an exceptional jump shooter for a C and even Duncan can step out. Sure Charlotte would be great defensively, but their offense hurts. Durant however, is that #1 scoring option they have been looking for.

Its really a tough call for alot of the top teams with a chance at the #1 pick IMO.

Well, if I had two big men that can only play in the paint, I'd take it.

On defense, NO one is driving the lane against Okafor and Oden unless they want to be on the wrong end of a NBA Daily Top 10 countdown.

Offense, they have Morrison, and if Oden or Okafor becomes good post players on offense, then who ever touches the ball gets a lot of attention. enough attention to top spread out the floor and give players some good looks.

Also you have to factor in all of the rebounds they are going to get.

Also Charlotte has plenty of Forwards, they don't need another one. They need Oden.

Teams like the Bucks..yeah they should take Durant.

[DW Rutledge]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

depends on the team but it's hard to find a great big man who didn't win at least one title.

shaq, duncan, robinson, olajuwon, wilt, russell, kareem. sorry ewing.

there are tons of perimeter-oriented players that scored a lot of points and never won jack...or won only with a good center. sorry kobe and dwade.

it may come down to this - who would you rather have - david robinson or kevin garnett?

i'd take my chances with oden.

[toneloc99]

Re: If you were a GM...would you prefer the 1 or 2 pick in the draft?

Oden will be the #1 pick you don't pass on a player who changes both ends of the floor. Durant is a great offensive talent but he has no impact what so ever defensively. Oden is an anchor defensively changes and blocks a ton of shots. I have a feeling Durant will go back to college anyhow though.