Monday, July 2, 2007

Did Buford want to trade Duncan for # 1 Oden?

Today Truehoop writes about a very interesting topic from Oregonlive.com article, which talks about the offers Portland Trailblazers GM Pritchard was getting before the draft for the number one pick where they would for sure take Greg Oden of Ohio State. Here is a little bit of the peice... it is very interesting...

... shocking offer Pritchard reportedly got at the draft combine: "Sitting high in the stands at the Milk House arena where the marginal prospects scrimmaged -- far from the courtside seats Pritchard so preferred -- Pritchard that morning was approached by a general manager of a Western Conference power. With bright lights illuminating the court below, Pritchard sat in a darkened corner with the general manager. The general manager wanted the Blazers' No. 1 pick. And he was willing to offer a player that will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer." I have heard this story more than once too, and once again I think you can figure it out. "A Western Conference power?" What's that, like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio? You know we're not talking about Steve Nash 'cause the Suns' whole system only works with him. And at this point I'd say it's a stretch to call Dirk Nowitzki a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer. So ... you're a smart kid. You figure it out. If it's true, that's shocking, right? I heard this rumor more than once before the draft, but never in a way that makes me feel certain it's true. It could have been a rumor started in Portland to drive up the value of the top overall pick...

Well the only first-ballot hall-of-famer here is Tim Duncan... are they trying to say that R.C. Buford was trying to trade Duncan for Oden on the eve of the draft. That's insane, it goes completely against what the Spurs organization is all about. Although Oden would carry one's franchise for over decade, that would be no reason to trade Tim Duncan, the best power forward of all time at age 31 in the middle of his prime (my opinion).

Well, maybe he was talking about Dirk or Nash, but Dirk isn't a first-ballot HOF (my opinion) and Nash is the Sun's whole team... and they both suck, just kidding. Anyways, there is no way the Spurs are trading Duncan, but it is very intriguing to think that Buford might have been talking to Portland for this deal to happen before the draft... I think it's total lunacy and probably completely made up, but that's just me.

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