[quote name='urzishra14']I don't think its much of an exaggeration on my part.. I thought the majority of the media were really hyped up on Oden (like they are on many players). But like I said I'm no GM, just when scouts say Durrant was more NBA ready, its kinda hard not to take a guy like that, especially with the amazing young team Portland is putting together. Obviously if they didn't take him and Oden turns into the next dominating big man in the NBA like Shaq is..how do you live with yourself. and if you take a guy like Oden who is at least big, he has more trade value down the line if he doesn't pan out.
Kobe wouldn't have gotten those kinds of numbers if Shaq wasn't taking up the majority of the defensive with him. Kobe is an amazing player and he puts up those kinds of MVP numbers when they let him play one on one and if he doesn't have the shot, he needs to have some teammates that he can rely on and share the load.. Even Jordan had a Paxton or Kerr or Pippin.. there is no one else on the Lakers right now that I'd be afraid of to just hit shots.. (oh wait now there is with Derek Fisher.. he makes 4-9 a game, but thats a CLUTCH 4-9 a game.. if you don't get the joke check out
www.harpringsucks.com )
I'm just saying with Oden or Durrant, its hard to pick which one. now everyone is saying Durrant, but he went into the summer league and was amazing, so was a lot of players, and Oden didn't play much and thats kinda disheartening for Portland fans.
I don't know if anyone here goes to NYK games, but I bet the fans are feeling the hot dog prices. Me, a few bucks doesn't bother me, but for people who like going to games and upper bowl back of the house seats cost 70 dollars (I obviously don't have any numbers to back that up.. but just for sake of arguement) because of the luxury tax a crappy team has to pay that has to hurt.. Jazz tickets upper bowls are around 25 bucks. I wouldn't be able to go to games if they were upper 60s for upper bowl tickets.. but.. only a 6th of the league usually pays the luxury tax.. I believe only 4 or 5 teams payed it last season.. but when you have so much good talent you better believe they'd do it if they'd win a championship, it just sucks for us cheap ass fans who like going to games and buying food at the games, even if its over priced.[/QUOTE]
Well, Portland was in a jam. With any rookie, there's the bust potential. Of course like you said earlier, Oden's risk was higher, but ultimately, Portland felt they needed a big man to complete the picture. But like I said, hindsight is 20/20. Of course people are now saying "Shit, should've got Durant," but that's something we got to live with.
I fully believe in Kevin Pritchard, he has single handedly helped turn this SOL franchise into a young team with loads of potential, however that potential has to be realized and that' still to be seen. But if you're a Blazer fan, it's hard not to get excited.
As for ticket prices, $70 for upper bowl at a Knicks game? That's ridiculous. I think at the Rose Garden you can get tickets for like $15 - $20, but that's the 300 level. They had packages last season where it was 2 tickets to 3 games for $88, and you usually got a shirt or a bobblehead or something, just ridiculous. Of course, those also were 300 level seats and also because we sucked but still. And as for NYC, that's because Isaiah Thomas is a moron =p