Tidbits Around the NBA…
The Trailblazers have to be reeling with the news of Oden’s microfracture surgery. I know I’ve mentioned it earlier but it bears repeating. Greg Oden, though he looks 40, is only 20 years old and having a major knee surgery that will keep him out this season and he may not be at full strength by the time next season rolls around. People in Portland are having visions of Bowie all over again.
The Mavericks announced that they have resigned Devin Harris to a 5 year 42 million dollar contract. Harris was a lottery selection out of Wisconsin where he gave my Illini fits. He has been somewhat of a disappointment early in his career but had career highs of 10 points and 4 assists a game. I’m a bit of a Harris fan, like I’m a fan of infectious diseases. The guy flops more than the combined amount of falls in a World Cup soccer game. He spends more time rolling on the wood then he does running on it. He’s the american version of Vlade Divac. Let the Mavericks have him and continue to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Nobody can really defend Baron Davis, but Harris was schooled there and couldn’t answer on the offensive end like Deron Williams did against him.
Allan Houston is apparently going to be a Net. I like this for New Jersey. The guy claims to have a healthy pain free knee. I think that’s kind of ironic considering it was arthritic before. Have they found a cure for arthritis yet? I didn’t think so. The guy is a 15 minute a night player and will provide a big spark at times for them. I wouldn’t draft in fantasy sports by any means but I hope he does well.
Lastly, I just got a hunch that Kevin Durant might be the rookie of the year favorite. Oh and the gm that took him just might get a raise and say that he would’ve taken him even if he had the top pick. Sure…we all would have.
September 17th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I can honestly say I would’ve taken Durant #1. In fact I did say it to several people and just had a feeling that Oden will be good but not great. I think big men in college are overhyped. There just aren’t a lot of them around.
Durant on the other hand was the man despite facing double and triple teams every night. He scores in a number of ways and not just at the rim or standing on the perimeter. I think this is an underrated characteristic these days as many people can shoot and many can get to the basket and finish, but not a lot can do both really really well.
There’s a reason Oden looks like he’s 40. All that HGH when he was 15 really is hurting him now. Sorry Portland but at least you guys can go smoke some pot and laugh about it.
If you’re not first you’re last
Ricky Bobby
September 17th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I can’t disagree at this point with that assessment. I’m afraid that people all over the country are now saying that they would’ve taken Durant number 1. I, for one, could have not picked ODEN. He dominated Florida big men that were lottery selections. Defensively he’ll be a great center in the NBA, offensively this injury could really limit his abilities. That and his birth certificate from the dominican. If I found out he was really 40 years old it wouldn’t surprise me.