| Trail Blazers Alter NBA Landscape Authored by Billy Ray - May 23, 2007 - 9:40 am
Good morning Blazer fans. You may feel you just endured the cruelest of dreams possible. The draft order is being announced and up to the seventh pick—the Minnesota Timberwolves—everything has gone to form. Next is the Trail Blazers envelope, but wait it appears Milwaukee’s card is in the envelope instead. Portland is in the top three.
Of course Memphis and Boston—two teams accused of tanking throughout the year but combined hold over a 50% chance of landing one of the top two picks are still in the way. The fifth envelope is drawn and the Boston Celtics are on the board falling as far as possible. Next up is the fourth selection which in 2006 had the distinction of breaking Portland’s free fall from the top of the lotto. The envelope is drawn. Memphis. It appears that the fourth selection has broken yet another fall, and has cleared the way for teams with a lower chance to win one of the top two picks an opportunity to do just that.
Okay, apparently dreams even require painfully long commercial breaks to get to the good part. Before we continue you know this is a dream right? Ok good.
Right now on a stage from left to right is Dominique Wilkins, Lenny Wilkins and Brandon Roy. All men possess a somber look—the future of two franchises is about to dramatically change. The third envelope is opened and Atlanta’s card is drawn. Portland is now in position to get one of the big two.
Great dream so far eh?
Next up is the second pick. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver draws the card—Seattle Supersonics. That means that the Blazers have won the top pick in the NBA Draft. In one of the most celebrated drafts in NBA history the Portland Trail Blazers hold the cards.
Pinch yourself. Again. Again. Still nothing? Well, I’ve got great news for you Blazer fan.
Portland indeed is at the top of the NBA Draft in 2007. Decision 2007 will now be made by the same brain trust that set the draft ablaze just a year ago with six trades that vaulted the team from NBA joke to one of the NBA’s most promising.
The Blazers will have a difficult decision ahead of them, but a decision that many GM’s only dreamt of until May 22nd.
In Greg Oden the Blazers have a chance to secure the most celebrated center prospect to come into the league since Patrick Ewing. Oden who is compared to David Robinson was a commanding presence on the defensive end despite playing with his wrist wrapped due to an injury between his senior year in high school and freshman year at Ohio State. Offensively Oden began to flourish towards the end of the year with ferocious dunks and a deadly baby hook. At only 19 years old he looks like a man ten years older.
Kevin Durant is the first ever freshman to be unanimously named the college player of the year. A complete offensive force, he has the abilities to be a top 3 scorer in the NBA very soon. Compared to a scary mix of Dirk Nowitzki and Tracy McGrady, Durant will provide scoring for an NBA team for many years to come. At only eighteen years old, he scored like a seven year NBA vet in college, and looks to only get scarier.
Right now it is anyone’s guess who the Blazers intend to select with the pick. Durant may serve a bit more of a need, but Oden may be best player available—a draft method that general manager Kevin Pritchard subscribes to.
Either way the Portland Trail Blazers will be receiving a true franchise player out of one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The NBA landscape will forever change in Portland. The playoffs now should be discussed. Interest in the team will boom.
Rip City resurrected?
Go ahead, pinch yourself. |
