Did the Spurs offer Duncan for the #1 pick?

Reading between the lines, this is what Henry Abbott of truehoop.com is implying, based on the Oregonian article "Oden Wasn't a Slam Dunk".

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...y-Bullets.html

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Originally Posted by truehoop.com

In that same article, Quick writes about a shocking offer Pritchard reportedly got at the draft combine: "Sitting high in the stands at the Milk House arena where the marginal prospects scrimmaged -- far from the courtside seats Pritchard so preferred -- Pritchard that morning was approached by a general manager of a Western Conference power. With bright lights illuminating the court below, Pritchard sat in a darkened corner with the general manager. The general manager wanted the Blazers' No. 1 pick. And he was willing to offer a player that will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer." I have heard this story more than once too, and once again I think you can figure it out. "A Western Conference power?" What's that, like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio? You know we're not talking about Steve Nash 'cause the Suns' whole system only works with him. And at this point I'd say it's a stretch to call Dirk Nowitzki a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer. So ... you're a smart kid. You figure it out. If it's true, that's shocking, right? I heard this rumor more than once before the draft, but never in a way that makes me feel certain it's true. It could have been a rumor started in Portland to drive up the value of the top overall pick.

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Oh yeah, and it sounds like complete BS to me. Another thread over in the NBA forum (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72954&) talked about the Oregonian article and suggested Kobe and KG, which are believable but neither LA or Minn can be considered a "Western power".

:lol

Well Portland sure are dumbasses for not jumping at this if this is true.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Reading between the lines, this is what Henry Abbott of truehoop.com is implying, based on the Oregonian article "Oden Wasn't a Slam Dunk".

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...y-Bullets.html

Oh yeah, and it sounds like complete BS to me. Another thread over in the NBA forum (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72954&) talked about the Oregonian article and suggested Kobe and KG, which are believable but neither LA or Minn can be considered a "Western power".

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This is the problem with "reading between the Lines" - one makes stuff up without a shred of supporting evidence. That's how rumors get started and lives destroyed. A little more discretion please. :rolleyes :rolleyes

:lol @ the insinuation that the Suns wouldn't trade Steve Nash for Greg Oden.

Give Oden's upside, youth and salary, I think Duncan and LeBron might be the only two players in the league who it doesn't make sense to trade him for. And I'm not sure about LeBron.

If the Spurs hadn't won the championship, I might believe this. But the timing wasn't right.

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Originally Posted by mbass

This is the problem with "reading between the Lines" - one makes stuff up without a shred of supporting evidence. That's how rumors get started and lives destroyed. A little more discretion please. :rolleyes :rolleyes

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Okay, genius. Why don't you put your extraordinary intellect to work and reveal to us what he was being so coy about?

This should be good . . .

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Pritchard that morning was approached by a general manager of a Western Conference power. With bright lights illuminating the court below, Pritchard sat in a darkened corner with the general manager. The general manager wanted the Blazers' No. 1 pick. And he was willing to offer a player that will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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Are we sure that isn't just regarding the Carmelo Anthony rumor? That rumor was all but verified.

And yeah, there's no way you even think about trading Oden for Carmelo.

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Originally Posted by mbass

This is the problem with "reading between the Lines" - one makes stuff up without a shred of supporting evidence. That's how rumors get started and lives destroyed. A little more discretion please. :rolleyes :rolleyes

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the fuck???

I can perfectly imagine Pop saying to Tony and Manu :

Ok guys, say hello to your new friend... Come on Greg, don't be shy !

The Spurs would have taken Durant had they had the #1 pick...

No, they would've taken Oden.

Oden is David Robinson reincarnated.

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Originally Posted by spursfan09

Well Portland sure are dumbasses for not jumping at this if this is true.

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Why? TD is on the downfall and aging. They got a young potential stud that can give them at least 10 years. Portland isn't even close to contending. TD wouldn't instantaneously change that. They don't have the pieces yet. Now if it were Phoenix I'd think differently they are in a "now" situation.

I could see some people viewing the Lakers as a "power" still by virtue of their history and high profile, and Kobe certainly wants out. While I don't think Nash is untoucable, there's no way the Suns would want Oden. He only averaged what? Like 17 pts. a game? No way Mike wants that kind of offensive liability in his precious system!

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Originally Posted by timvp

Are we sure that isn't just regarding the Carmelo Anthony rumor? That rumor was all but verified.

And yeah, there's no way you even think about trading Oden for Carmelo.

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I guess you could stretch the definition and call Denver a Western "power".

But if Quick thinks Carmelo is a first-ballot HoFer based on his accomplishments to date, he's crazy.

That's interesting Sequ.

I guess you'll never know if I'm right or not.

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Originally Posted by Sec24Row7

That's interesting Sequ.

I guess you'll never know if I'm right or not.

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Did Sequ post in this thread?

ROFL... nevermind... I'm seeing things... Must have been T Park...

Wrong Irate little man.


Sorry.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

Did Sequ post in this thread?

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Dammit, forgot to log out as ShoogarBear.

The article is so vague, but I don't see why they're ruling out LA. I'd call them a "powerhouse" and I don't think Kobe for Oden is crazy. I kind of agree that the Suns wouldn't let go of Nash.

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Wrong Irate little man

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Im not little.

haha (waits for the fat jokes)

and im clear from irate.

FARRR from it. :)

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Originally Posted by BacktoBasics

Why? TD is on the downfall and aging. They got a young potential stud that can give them at least 10 years. Portland isn't even close to contending. TD wouldn't instantaneously change that. They don't have the pieces yet. Now if it were Phoenix I'd think differently they are in a "now" situation.

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I see where you are coming for, but I still don't believe they would say no to TD just like that.... TD is still an All-Star, and he changes the game just by stepping on the court. He's older now, yeah, but it is not like he wouldn't make an immediate impact.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Okay, genius. Why don't you put your extraordinary intellect to work and reveal to us what he was being so coy about?

This should be good . . .

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Don't have a clue - good enough? :rolleyes

I had this debate with a friend, I'll admit to saying that I'd have taken Oden for Duncan. I think we could then truely establish a Dynasty, when we continue to win titles well into the 2010's.

But I don't think Portland would have pulled the trigger for anybody.

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Originally Posted by hsxvvd

I had this debate with a friend, I'll admit to saying that I'd have taken Oden for Duncan. I think we could then truely establish a Dynasty, when we continue to win titles well into the 2010's.

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2 things on that:

1) The Spurs needed Parker and Ginobili to win championships once the Admiral was on his last legs. By the time Oden is ready to lead a team to a title, Parker will be on the back end of his prime and Manu will be well past his. The time for championships is now, worry about the 2010s when we get to them.

2) Pretty iffy that Oden will ever be as good as Tim. Tim's going to finish up pretty firmly as a top 10 player of all-time. Oden has a lot to prove to find out whether or not he will ever even be as good as Patrick Ewing (who led his team to zero titles).

I think it's obvious that it was Kobe.

If the Spurs can keep their nucleus in tact and land a decent FA in 2008 they'll be in the title hunt for the next 4 or 5 years. Not sure you trade that for an unproven rookie, who, as KState and others have said probably won't be hitting his stride until this nucleus is past its prime.

Cool rumor though. I like the meeting in the dark corner of the arena.

You'd think someone would have seen the "general manager" in question up there talking to Pritchard.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

If the Spurs can keep their nucleus in tact and land a decent FA in 2008 they'll be in the title hunt for the next 4 or 5 years. Not sure you trade that for an unproven rookie, who, as KState and others have said probably won't be hitting his stride until this nucleus is past its prime.

Cool rumor though. I like the meeting in the dark corner of the arena.

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Yeah, Mitch probably offerred him Kobe AND a blow job for Oden...:lol

I bet the plan was to get Durant for Tim, then have Tim opt out and come back and sign for the minimum and then go after Howard in 08.

OMFG...a starting lineup of Howard, Durant, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili would be SICK.

:lol A man can dream...

Portland turned down the deal when the Spurs refused to include Beno.

Here is likely what really happen. R.C and Kevin are BS'ing and start joking about a trade for the #1 pick like: R.C : So I bet it would take Duncan to get that #1 off your hands .... Kevin : Duncan ...Hah I want Scola ....R.C: Scola! Hell no!....I've seen on the fourms hes worth more than the #1 pick.....laughing presumes and "TrueHoop" moves forward with their "insider" "breaking super exclusive" story....yea

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Originally Posted by T Park

Oden is David Robinson reincarnated.

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I thought he was Robert Parish.

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I heard this rumor more than once before the draft, but never in a way that makes me feel certain it's true. It could have been a rumor started in Portland to drive up the value of the top overall pick.

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That's the crux right there.

No way Buford offers Duncan for Oden, not having just won his 4th championship and with at least 3 good years left in Duncan-manu-Parker, NO WAY IN HELL.

I'd say it was Kobe too except that LAL is no Western Confernece powerhouse, except in the historical sense.

If Buford traded Duncan for the #1 overall pick, he'd be strung up in San Antonio and Gregg Popovich would probably lead the lynch mob with a group of mostly very tall, affluent young men near his side.

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Originally Posted by mbass

Don't have a clue - good enough? :rolleyes

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So now let's get this straight.

Somebody writes, in essence, I'm thinking of a guy. He's a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, he plays on either Phoenix, Dallas, or San Antonio, and he's not Steve Nash or Dirk Nowitzki. Guess who I'm thinking of?

Your answer:

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Originally Posted by mbass

Don't have a clue

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Well, if that's the case, I guess it's an all-purpose answer.

Oh yeah and Trading Tim Duncan would show awesome loyalty the Spurs organization has!!! Then even more Free agents would want to sign here!

Step away from the cheese.......Tim Duncan (4 time Champion, 2 time MVP, 3 time Finals MVP) for a 19 year old rookie ? C'mon now.

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I think you can figure it out. "A Western Conference power?" What's that, like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio? You know we're not talking about Steve Nash 'cause the Suns' whole system only works with him.

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Couldn't be someone indispensible like Steve Nash. Must be that schmo whatizname Duncan. The Spurs system doesn't depend on him. It's gotta be Duncan -- those other guys are way too valuable to trade.

If the Spurs front office thought of trading Duncan they'd better have made sure the ATT Center is fireproof first.

Look at the bright side: it'd be a reason to bring Rasho back.

lol.... yall are crazy, no way we did that

I read on ESPN insider that they recieved 2 substantial offers...

1 was from a Western conference team in their division. There's only 2 sure fire hall of famers in that division by my account... KG and AI... that deal was also rumored to have include a "standout rookie".... Denver doesn't have one of those... That leaves the Wolves offering KG and Foye for Portland's #1.... Crazy, I know, but they did it

The other offer was from a Eastern conference team... offering their 5 time all-star and this years lottery pick.... there's only one East team w/ a lottery pick and a 5-time all-star.... That's Boston... Paul Pierce and the #5 pick was offered for Portland's #1

Some serious deals, but I would have turn them down too

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Originally Posted by T Park

No, they would've taken Oden.

Oden is David Robinson reincarnated.

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oden is so good that knowing now we won this title i would have still tanked the season if we were certain we could get oden

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Oh yeah and Trading Tim Duncan would show awesome loyalty the Spurs organization has!!! Then even more Free agents would want to sign here!

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True

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Originally Posted by clubalien

oden is so good that knowing now we won this title i would have still tanked the season if we were certain we could get oden

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more proof that ESPN's bullshit influence works. Mike Olowakandi was drafted number 1 too. Don't believe the hype. Tim Duncan was hyped but he exceded expectations

Denver probably offered Camby and AI.

Duncan for Oden= Pop retires to Europe. Manu and Tony demand trades. Finley, Horry and Barry retire immediately. Spurs go 22 and 80 and are favored to win the #1 pick again. Buford forced to watch games at Dick Cheney's bunker.

Its Nash (future hall of famer.. 2 MVPs, western conf superpower)
Or Dirk. (! MVP, Western conf superpower)

I believe that when my shit turns purple, and smells or rainbow sherbert!

my take is that it was KOBE BRYANT

even though it was said POWER HOUSE

i think it was kobe all the way.

The powerhouse thing is inaccurate.... The Western Conference offer came from a team within Portland's DIVISION.... It was Minnesota... and it was KG and Foye

Trust me

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Originally Posted by clubalien

oden is so good that knowing now we won this title i would have still tanked the season if we were certain we could get oden

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That crazy talk.