And then Dec. 5, 2009. Oden’s 2009 is off to a nice start. The seven-footer from Ohio State is averaging a meager 11.7 ppg, but a nice 8.7 rpg and 2.4 blocks per game in just 24 minutes a night. He’s not Bill Russell like some thought, but he’s certainly developing into a worthy center. Keep in mind, it is just Oden’s second season. But like so many feared and pictured, six minutes into a game against the Rockets, Oden goes down a large heap clutching his knee. It quickly goes from “Oh, I hope he’s alright” to “Oh no. Oh no. OH NO.” Oden is on the floor writhing in pain. A stretcher comes out. Oden is carted off. His 2009-10 campaign is likely over just like that with a busted left patella.
And Durant apologists smirk and shake their heads. Which is the point I’m trying to get to, even through that ridiculously long intro. Don’t. Don’t even think it. I know you already have and most will continue, but don’t. Greg Oden’s devastating injury has nothing to do with Kevin Durant. Absolutely nothing. Well, other than Portland is a little less good and the Blazers happen to be in Kevin Durant’s team’s division. But in terms of what you’re thinking, Oden’s injury isn’t related.
via Rejoice you have Kevin Durant and about nothing else | Daily Thunder.com.
Royce at Daily Thunder with a brilliant piece asking for Thunder fans, KD fans, all fans not to simplify this situation into “The Blazers screwed up by not taking KD.” And furthermore, to not confuse the fact that these two were drafted at the same time with the idea that they’re somehow related.
Greg Oden has had multiple injuries since being drafted by Kevin Pritchard and during the same time, Kevin Durant has evolved into one of the best players in the league. This is a coincidence. The two are not outlined in the stars. They’re not bound by that draft. It was just a coincidence. And to consistently compare the two is madness, like comparing a barn fire in Jersey and a stock jump in California. Assess each within the context of themselves.
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[...] Matt Moore of HP on the Oden/Durant thing: “Greg Oden has had multiple injuries since being drafted by Kevin Pritchard and during the same time, Kevin Durant has evolved into one of the best players in the league. This is a coincidence. The two are not outlined in the stars. They’re not bound by that draft. It was just a coincidence. And to consistently compare the two is madness, like comparing a barn fire in Jersey and a stock jump in California. Assess each within the context of themselves.” [...]
What? Of course they’re connected. They’re connected in the same way Sam Bowie and MJ are connected. In the same way Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Melo are connected. The fact of the matter is Portland passed over Kevin Durant even though they knew Greg Oden was injury prone. They had all the information, they had the list of previous injuries he had suffered, they had the list of anomalies in his body, and they rolled the dice anyway.
Of course the fact that Oden has been a bust and Durant has been a “revelation” is a coincidence, but they ARE bound by that draft class. That draft class IS exactly what connects them. You can’t disregard the draft just because you don’t want people to think about it.
The Blazers DID screw up by not taking Durant over Oden.
Just because you want something not to be true doesn’t make it so.