OOPS!

     On June 28, 2007, one of the worst decisions in sports history was made. With the first pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, the Portland Trailblazers organization selected center Greg Oden out of Ohio State University. At first glance, the decision might look justified, because the 7'0 big man nearly averaged a double-double for a team with two other current NBA players that went 35-4 and earned an appearance in the National Championship game. His stat sheet read 15.9 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 3.3 blocks per game for the Buckeyes. After winning Indiana Mr. Basketball and Naismith Prep Player of the year in 2006, Oden then went on to win such honors as Big Ten defensive player of the year, first team all Big-Ten, and first team All-American. Why then, was the Trailblazers decision so egregious, you ask? There are two transparent reasons for that.
     First of all, Greg Oden has done little to nothing in the league. He has not lived up to the hype.  The former number one overall pick has only played in 88 NBA games since being drafted. For a role player, his numbers might be acceptable, but not for a former first pick. Oden has averaged 9.4 points per game over his regular season career, and only five points per game in his brief playoff career (when it matters most). His inability to stay out of foul trouble combined with his injury prone luck has resulted in a regular season average of only 22 minutes a game (16 mpg in the playoffs). The Blazers thought he could use his 285 pound body to dominate down low on both ends of the floor. To put it plainly, they were wrong.
     His lack of production has disappointed Portland's organization to the extent that they decided to let him go. Oden currently has no home. He is a free agent looking for another chance to play wherever someone will give him a second chance. Steve Patterson, who was Portland's general manager at the time of the draft selection, was apparently so ashamed with his decision he decided to resign the following year in 2007. Oden never panned out for the Blazers. As a result, the entire organization is left wishing they could take a mulligan over the 2006 NBA Draft.
      The more significant reason the unfortunate selection of the Blazers was wretched is because Greg Oden is not Kevin Durant. The Blazers decided to surpass "Durantula," who was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) with the very next pick. Kevin Durant, who averaged 25.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game for the Texas Longhorns in his one year as a college basketball player, has done what Oden has been unable to do. He has blossomed as a professional, and turned into one of the leagues youngest superstars.
     Kevin Durant is the future. He is also a humble leader and an icon for the game of basketball. With Kobe aging and Lebron's lack of clutch gene, Durant is now the league's best player. When it is all said and done, he could wind up one of the greatest of all time. At only 24 years old, Durant has already led the NBA in scoring in three of his five seasons in the league. He has career averages of 26.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. More importantly, unlike Oden, he has been able to play day in and day out, averaging 38.1 minutes a game in his five productive seasons. The 6'9 wing has the length and quickness to score on and defend multiple positions. His 7'5 wingspan and his guard-like handle make him extremely versatile and the most unique scorer the game has ever seen. In just five seasons he has already been a three time all-star, three time scoring champ, all-NBA first team member, all-rookie first team member, rookie of the year, and all-star game MVP. He is continuing to make and brake records. Now, more importantly, he has his team in the NBA Finals where they will most likely be the favorites to win rings.
     Durant not only stuffs the stat sheet like Lebron does, but he has what "The Chosen One" does not. He has the clutch factor. He has ice in his veins. He knows when its time to take over a game. His matchless skill set, closer mentality, and maturing intangibles could have been taking over the NBA in Portland. Instead, because the Blazers chose Oden, Oklahoma City won the lottery when Steve Patterson and his colleagues regretfully passed up on KD. Hindsight is 20/20, and in hindsight, the Portland Trailblazers know they made a catostrophic mistake in selecting Greg Oden over Kevin Durant, the league's newest megastar.