Like any hardcore NBA fans, Sonics play-by-play broadcaster David Locke and SUPERSONICS.COM's Kevin Pelton love to put themselves in "The Big Chair" as the decision-makers and debate the issues facing the Sonics and NBA teams as a whole.
Now, they're taking those arguments public. On a regular basis during the off-season, Locke and Pelton will chat over instant messenger about a given topic. We'll post their arguments, then allow you to have your say by voting for who you agree with and sending in e-mails with your take.
May 7 - Who should be hired first, coach or GM? - RESULTS
May 14 - Are winning teams the place to look for GM talent? - RESULTS
May 31 Question:
Who Would You Take First - Oden or Durant?
David: KP - and yes, I use that for you, not Kevin Pritchard - there is all this talk about Oden or Durant and what Portland is going to do. Let's be honest. Durant is special. He is going to be a star. He is the real deal. He will change a franchise. But this first pick is a no-brainer. You can't pass a 7-footer that can change the game on both ends of the floor.
Kevin: Oden will be great. There is no question of that. But Durant could change the game. If he hits right - and all indications, based on his history, are that he will only continue to improve - there will be no one like him in NBA history. His game has the potential to be virtually flawless. How can you pass on that kind of potential?
David: Because that potential - which I think you are overstating a little; he is going to be good but you just said he was going to be Larry, Magic and Jordan good plus some - has not been what wins championships. The big man has won the title year in and year out in this league. Defense has been what separates teams and Oden will move either of these putrid defensive teams, Seattle or Portland, into the top 15 in year one, top 10 defensively in year two and top five by year three.
Kevin: I don't think you can evaluate this on what has won. The game is changing, and while you can overstate that change, it's clear that the evolution of the game has favored the little guy. The best post players in the league, with the exception of Tim Duncan, are all gone from the playoffs. There are scenarios where you can take Oden out of the game by making him defend the pick-and-roll or getting him in foul trouble. How do you take Durant out of the game?
David: Let me first say you would be good in debate. You make a comment that I don't agree with, you act as though it is fact and then you ask another question, leaving what you said on the table as fact. You are caught, Mr. KP.
So let me first say for all the talk of the game going smaller and more to skilled players, etc - Tim Duncan is still going to be the one who wins the title. Mr. Duncan of 10 straight years as First-Team All-Defense. That is the type of player Oden will be on the defensive end of the floor. People forget there are the same amount of offensive possessions as defensive possessions. I would also argue that the rule changes that have pushed the game to become more skilled have made the interior defender even more valuable. Since dribble penetration is easier today with no handchecking, you have to have a second line of defense that is quick, long and agile. That is Greg Oden. He is unreal in how quickly he gets from one side of the paint to the other for a 7-footer.
Now to part two - how do I take Durant out of the game? I body him on the perimeter and I have Oden ready to help when he drives. Look out, I am on fire.
Kevin: Good points, but let's not rule out that Durant can be part of that kind of second line of defense as well. He averaged nearly two blocks per game last year and has the combination of agility, length and instincts to be a very good if not great defender.
As for your plan to stop Durant, I'm not seeing it. He has the mid-range game to beat his man off the dribble if he is playing up and pull up before Oden can help. If you play a smaller defender in the Bruce Bowen vein who can keep Durant in front of him, then Durant has a height advantage and can shoot over the top or we'll send him to the post to draw the double-team.
David: Let's switch this debate to the risk-reward angle. The risk on Oden is almost nothing. He is not going to be the Kandi Man (Michael Olowokandi). He is 7-foot. His body is mammoth. He has amazing instincts. The college game limits what he can do offensively and people have forgotten that he was hurt all year with the hand injury. The dude shot 66% from the free throw line with his wrong hand. In the NBA, where he will get a chance to maneuver, he will be a 20-point scorer and a 10-rebound guy as a rookie.
Durant may be insane, as you mention. His risk is higher though. If he is KG you are talking about a guy who somehow has won only one playoff series. Is he going to be Carmelo, a guy with great skills that doesn't make his team better? Will he float to the perimeter when he gets in a more physical game? Oden will make his team better immediately before he makes an offensive play.
Kevin: Risk-reward. Now you are sounding like KP - and I do mean Pritchard. As he pointed out recently, low-risk players don't win you championships - at least as the focal points. Oden is an exception but if Durant really hits, as we've established, he could be superb.
David: The idea that low risk doesn't win championship is absurd. Low risk is Tim Duncan. Low Risk is Shaq. Low risk was Hakeem. That is why Oden has to be the choice. He is low risk and high reward. I don't necessarily disagree with the concept that Durant could be a better player, that Durant could be an insane collection of skills that have rarely been put in a big man's body - though really he is Dirk. Or the other player I think he is that hasn't been mentioned. Let me first say Durant is more skilled entering the league than this player and he has more range to his game, but these two guys entered the league with the exact same measurables and they both played one year in college, both have a 7-foot plus wingspan, both shot well from three in college and this guy is now averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds ... Chris Bosh. My point is Durant is going to be great; he could be Bosh, he could be Dirk, he could Garnett and maybe as you are saying he could be better, but Oden is going to be a dominant big and bigs win championships.
Kevin: The difference between Durant and Bosh will come down to hunger. I don't think Bosh has the same kind of need to dominate, to be great that Durant has. The stories about his work ethic are already becoming legendary. That is why I don't think his risk is that great.
David: OK, but let's not assume this is a either or issue. Both seem to have the fire and that is why the top two picks are so dynamic. Oden played hurt when he couldn't catch a ball - that is a commitment to winning. He did play in the NCAA Final. He was pretty big late in some games along the way. Oden was a straight-A student. He is smart kid. So let's not assume because one guy is hungry the other guy lacks hunger. With that said, if one of these guys has that intangible "craziness" to him that Jordan had, that I believe Duncan has, the ability to will yourself to make the one play your team needs to win, then yes, they should be the pick. Right now, I don't think you can say that one has it and the other does not.
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