"With the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Portland Trailblazers select Greg Oden, Center, The Ohio State University."
It is a near lock that we will hear something close to those words from Commissioner David Stern Thursday night, followed quickly by the Seattle Supersonics selecting Kevin Durant out of Texas.
I am here to tell you it would be a mistake for Portland to let that happen, and it would be a mistake that has been made before.
Let us flashback over 20 years to the 1984 Draft, one remembered for Portland selecting Sam Bowie with the second pick and allowing Michael Jordan to slip to Chicago at pick three.
While Portland is often criticized for their decision the other team that passed on Jordan is rarely ever mentioned.
That team would be the Houston Rockets who took Hakeem Olajuwon with the draft's top pick.
Olajuwon would go on to be an NBA MVP, one of the 50 greatest players ever and lead the Rockets to two NBA Championships.
Here's the thing, though.
Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles and went on to become the greatest player in the history of the sport.
Let's also not forget that Olajuwon's two titles came while Jordan was playing in the Chicago White Sox minor league system.
The Rockets ended up with a great player, but they could have had so much more.
They could have had the man who transcended the sport of basketball and took the game to a whole other level.
Portland should think about that before they take Oden.
Much like 23 years ago there is unparalleled greatness in this draft and it comes in the form of Durant.
I had the privilege of seeing him play in person last December when Texas came to Knoxville.
I walked away from Thompson-Boling Arena that day knowing I had just seen a player who would some day be mentioned in the same breath as MJ, Magic and Bird.
Before the NCAA tournament I was one who thought Oden could end up like Bowie, but I don't think so anymore.
After watching Ohio State's run through March Madness, I see him turning out a lot like Olajuwon: perennial All-Star and possibly an MVP winner.
He might even lead the Trailblazers to a couple of NBA championships.
That is as long as Durant decides he wants to become an outfielder in the Seattle Mariners' farm system.
Comments
Oden is the Man commented, on June 23, 2007 at 11:33 a.m.:
I'm from Portland and the consensus around town is to take Oden. Portland has NBA fever again after being dormant during the now ended Jailblazer years. We will be seeing everyone in the playoffs next year!!!
J commented, on June 23, 2007 at 3:39 p.m.:
Oden is more like Russell then Bowie ... so your question is to you take MJ's 6 championships or Bill's 11?
Brooklyn N.Y. commented, on June 23, 2007 at 4:54 p.m.:
Having played with and against some of the best ever to play the game of basketball World B. Free, Vinnie Johnson,John Salley,Geoff Huston and Sam "the Man" Worthen
only Michael Jordon could've taken Sam's spot on Chicago.
Hakeem only fulfilled his dream because Jordan needed a much deserved R & R, having lost a parent to a violent tragedy I imagine would take the wind out of Superman.
Somebody get Mr.Cliff Chartrand a job over at S.I. because he is absolutely 100% correct...Durant will "haunt" Portland on the regular since both are in same conference.
As for mentioning Greg Oden in the same breathe as Bill Russell... Russell 2 NCAA titles Univ. of San Fransico...Greg Oden (just a dream !!!).
Moose commented, on June 23, 2007 at 5:10 p.m.:
You made a couple of fatal mistakes in your analysis. The first was to suggest that MJ would have won titles in 94 and 95 by default. You're forgetting he quit for a big reason, mental exhaustion. Between that and Hakeem hitting the best prime of anybody besides Jordan, Olajuwon could have very well still won his titles.
Your second mistake is thinking that the Rockets picking Jordan would have meant they would have gotten 6 titles. Winning championships is as much about circumstances as they are about skill. Jordan had a good front office in Krause and company. He would have been in Houston without Pippen and company,...and who knows maybe eventually demand a trade after seasons of early playoff exits. Then where would the Rockets be? Back to having 0 titles.
Still think they should have taken Jordan over Olajuwon.
Moose commented, on June 23, 2007 at 5:15 p.m.:
Anybody who thinks Durant will be Jordan and that he should be picked first,..look in the mirror,..theres a reason you aren't a GM.
Go back in time,..if you were the Rockets,...would you still pick Olajuwon? I would. I think any sensible person would too. Go with the sure bet, Olajuwon delivered titles IN HOUSTON,..Jordan delivered titles in Chicago,...maybe if he was in Houston he wouldn't bring titles home.
Adam commented, on June 23, 2007 at 5:17 p.m.:
Dude you are stupid, Durant is just as unproven as Oden... except Oden led his team of freshman to the NCAA title game with one good wrist and Durants one man show got them nowhere. Not to take Oden would be worse than the Texans passing on Reggie Bush. GO BUCKS
Brooklyn N.Y. commented, on June 23, 2007 at 6:06 p.m.:
Good analysis response #7....congrats Lady Vols.
Brooklyn N.Y. commented, on June 23, 2007 at 6:11 p.m.:
See your right Moose I can't even count...I meant good analysis Moose.
Billy commented, on June 23, 2007 at 8:31 p.m.:
Oden led his team to the title game? I don't think so. He couldn't stay on the floor against Xavier, only had 9 points against a very small Tennessee team, and was overshadowed by Roy Hibbert in the Final Four. He had a solid game in the blowout of Memphis and against Florida, but anyone who watched Ohio State's run knows he did not lead his team to the title game, Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis did.
2004 Alum commented, on June 24, 2007 at 6:10 p.m.:
This is commentary, and its by-like makes it look like a new story. Is there a better way to show readers the difference?
Meelad commented, on July 20, 2007 at 5:59 a.m.:
That's nonsense, Hakeem turned out to be one of the best centers ever. Your second mistake, Jordan was back in the league in 1995 and they lost to Orlando, the same Orlando Hakeem killed and the Rockets swept, 4-0.
Don't forget that Jordan didn't win anything before Scottie came, he had 0 rings until Scottie came. Hakeem over Jordan, damn good choice. He wouldn't have accomplished anything as a player on the Rockets.