[unluckyseventeen]

Originally Posted by Idunkonyou

Considering Oden has already had a surgery which is known to end careers, while Durrant is the clear favorite for ROTY, I'd say they have.

Yeah, because we all know that they can predict the future when one of their guys gets injured months after the draft occurs

[Idunkonyou]

Originally Posted by LameR

You really don't know what you're talking about do you? I thought that was the same surgery that Kidd and Randolph had? But wait, no they're both done. Let's also ignore the fact that the surgery Oden had was ridiculously small compared to either of their's. Less also not take into consideration that the quality of the surgeries has improved dramatically over the previous few years.

Also, at this point, Durant hasn't done anything other than shoot poorly for the majority of the games, I wouldn't be so quick to declare him rookie of the year. I think he'll improve as the season goes on, but at this point he's not doing very well at all IMO. I think Horford deserves it more than him at this point, and it's way to early to say who's going to win.

You list two players who had the surgery that stayed in the league, who aren't as good as they used to be, which is funny. Many players either return from that surgery and aren't the same (Amare) or they just suck all together (Penny). Oden has one thing on his side. He is young so he may come back and play up to his hyped potential, although even before the surgery he didn't look very good in the summer leagues against NBADL competition, fouling out of a few games which takes 10 fouls just to foul out and his stats weren't all that assuring either.

[Idunkonyou]

Originally Posted by unluckyseventeen

Yeah, because we all know that they can predict the future when one of their guys gets injured months after the draft occurs

Of course I can. My crystal ball is working overtime for you prats so you better give me some respect.

[f22egl]

Rookie of the year always determines who is going to be the best player just like it did in the 2004-05 season...

[LameR]

Originally Posted by Idunkonyou

You list two players who had the surgery that stayed in the league, who aren't as good as they used to be, which is funny. Many players either return from that surgery and aren't the same (Amare) or they just suck all together (Penny). Oden has one thing on his side. He is young so he may come back and play up to his hyped potential, although even before the surgery he didn't look very good in the summer leagues against NBADL competition, fouling out of a few games which takes 10 fouls just to foul out and his stats weren't all that assuring either.

You list one player who had it done quite a long time ago, who is actually now back into the league, but at an old age, and another player who is still playing very well. You make it sound like Amare sucks. He may have lost some, but he's still a very solid player. Even K-Mart is coming back a bit, but I really doubt he'll be anything near what he used to be.

Both of the guys I listed are still VERY strong players, and I don't think I'd say the got worse because of it. Randolph is a terrible example for your point, and Kidd continues to be efficient despite the surgery AND his age (something I'd attribute more to his eventual decline than the surgery).

[Chan]

Originally Posted by LameR

You really don't know what you're talking about do you? I thought that was the same surgery that Kidd and Randolph had? But wait, no they're both done. Let's also ignore the fact that the surgery Oden had was ridiculously small compared to either of their's. Less also not take into consideration that the quality of the surgeries has improved dramatically over the previous few years.

Also, at this point, Durant hasn't done anything other than shoot poorly for the majority of the games, I wouldn't be so quick to declare him rookie of the year. I think he'll improve as the season goes on, but at this point he's not doing very well at all IMO. I think Horford deserves it more than him at this point, and it's way to early to say who's going to win.

Jamal Mashburn and Chris Webber had the same surgery. Microscopic knee surgery has a chance to ruin a career and I wouldn't rule that out.

If Oden comes back fine, then Portland did the right thing, choosing a franchise big over a scorer. But as of right now, one player is scoring almost 20 a night as a main option, and the other has done absolutely nothing. Not exactly a great decision.

[Jenness]

I don't know if they made the right or wrong choice, that will be answered many years from now but Portland wouldn't have done wrong by picking Durant either as they could use a swingman. Durant, Aldridge and Roy is as potent a trio as Aldridge, Oden and Roy. It might even be more balanced.

[Jenness]

Originally Posted by Chan

Jamal Mashburn and Chris Webber had the same surgery. Microscopic knee surgery has a chance to ruin a career and I wouldn't rule that out.

You're citing some pretty old cases and not all microfracture surgeries are equal. The success rate has been pretty good recently. It's a small sample but the last two I can remember, Stoudemire and McCants, have returned pretty close to their pre-surgery athletic level.

[Chan]

Originally Posted by Jenness

I don't know if they made the right or wrong choice, that will be answered many years from now but Portland wouldn't have done wrong by picking Durant either as they could use a swingman. Durant, Aldridge and Roy is as potent a trio as Aldridge, Oden and Roy. It might even be more balanced.

If it wasn't for the injuries Oden is the clear better choice. A big man who can own the paint is much more valuable than a scorer, no matter how good you are.

[seifer0406]

It's too early to tell if they made the "right" choice in terms of outcome, but when you have a dominant big man available, you should always draft him.

Now, theres is always the possibility that Oden never quite recover from his knee problems and ends up with a short, unspectacular career. But that is just bad luck for the Blazers, it's nothing wrong with the decision making of the franchise. They drafted the right player, but they just might have the wrong luck.