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.

Greg Oden is a smart guy

According to Sports Illustrated, Ohio State center who is likely to be drafted by Seattle or Portland, told everyone what he knows about the Pacific Northwest:

"I know it rains a lot. I know it's close to L.A., and I love that. I want to go to L.A. and go to the beach."

Man, I don't want to talk a bunch of crap, but I guess this guy didn't take geography class in his one year of college. Being that the closer of the two cities (Portland) is about 1,000 miles North of L.A. I don't think Oden will be in Malibu on a regular basis. Good lord, thank god he has an incredible natural talent that will make him millions. Wow Greg Oden, all I can say is wow. Although this is one of the most ignorant, idiotic comments I've read in awhile, I can't wait to see him play in the Western conference. And he said he would've rather been a dentist. Maybe Oden should understand the concept of space and time before he tries to give someone a root canal.

Good Pics

Kevin Durant and Greg Oden to be on USA Basketball squad

This is a story which I feel has been overlooked this past week, but is quite significant. On Wednesday, the NBA announced that eight more players be added to the USA Basketball team, which include Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. These two collegiate superstars will most likely go number one and two in the 2007 NBA draft and should add a significant boost to a USA team that has not performed up to par (winning every tournament they enter) the last several years. In addition, Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (University of Texas); Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Greg Oden (Ohio State University); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) will all have a spot to the Senior National Team roster.

Players that will not be able to be on the team this summer because of injury (a reason for all of the additions) include: Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat).

Mike Krzyzewski (of Duke Univ.) is leading the USA Senior Team for 2006-2008, while Syracuse University (N.Y.) and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Phoenix Suns head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan will serve as assistant coaches.

Krzyzewski Said,

"As I said when we announced the first group of players for the Senior National Team, we’re not trying to put a collection of all-stars together but our goal is to put together as good of a basketball team as we possibly can. With the addition of these nine players, I believe we’ve strengthen our program in several areas, especially rebounding, defense and shooting."

According to USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo,

"One of the reasons for forming and selecting a national team is so you have flexibility. It takes into account the fact that you may have injuries, there may be special circumstances where a player can’t perform, but yet you have other players to pull from. After the recent meeting our coaches had in Phoenix, we decided to add a couple of bigs, in particular for their rebounding and shot blocking abilities. We also decided to add some leadership in the back court and some shooters. We also recognized several players who had outstanding seasons and who we felt were deserving of this opportunity. "Greg Oden and Kevin Durant represent the class of this season’s college ranks and are certainly players we have great interest in, both for the present and for future USA Basketball teams."

Source: Team USA Adds Eight Players to the Roster & Oden, Durant added to U.S. team; LeBron's status not set

The NBA Lottery

The NBA Lottery was held tonight and neither the Memphis Grizzlies or the Boston Celtics were granted the top one or two picks. This meaning that neither would get the prizes of NCAA stars Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. The first pick went to Portland followed by Seattle then Atlanta, then... oh who cares. I believe this is deserved by Memphis and Boston because both of them definitely dropped games towards the end of the season to increase their odds of getting the top draft pick... well didn't quite work out.

David Stern gave his input, as well, this evening on a number of issues including the NBA Lottery and the suspension handed out during the Western Conference semifinals. Stern said about the lottery,

"I haven't spoken to a lot of owners," Stern said. "On the end of the season and what teams do competitively, I think we should look at the lottery system and see whether it can be improved. I believe that."

Others were also passionite about the lottery,

"It's a system that favors teams to not win games," Philadelphia 76ers president and general manager Billy King said. "I think any time you have a system like that, it's not good for the league. It's something I'm sure that will be brought up and discussed and debated."

Then Stern spoke about the suspensions,

"I've been commissioner for 25 years almost," Stern said. "...You enforce the rules as you see them. And one of reasons the rule is in effect is that we guard zealously the court. We want our fans to be able to have the best seat in sports and we want them to feel safe."

I don't really know where to end this, obviously it's not going to be on a high note, but go NBA... I guess.

Oh yeah... and first pick is definitely Greg Oden and the west is just going to keep getting stronger, being that Portland and Seattle have the first two picks. Spurs still dominate though.

AP Source: [David Stern defends suspension rules, but wants to examine lottery]

Karma and what the Celtics definitely deserve [Take A Dive. You Get Five.] & [Boston Is Blazin' Mad (NBA Lottery Blog)]