Did the Spurs offer Duncan for the #1 pick?

[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

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.

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".

[JPB]

[spursfan09]

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

[mbass]

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".

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.

[timvp]

@ 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.

[ShoogarBear]

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.

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 . . .

[timvp]

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.

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.

[dickface]

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.

the ???

[JPB]

I can perfectly imagine Pop saying to Tony and Manu :

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

[Sec24Row7]

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

[T Park]

No, they would've taken Oden.

Oden is David Robinson reincarnated.

[BacktoBasics]

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

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.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

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!

[ShoogarBear]

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.

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.

[Sec24Row7]

That's interesting Sequ.

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

[Solid D]

That's interesting Sequ.

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

Did Sequ post in this thread?

[Sec24Row7]

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

Wrong Irate little man.


Sorry.

[ShoogarBear]

Did Sequ post in this thread?

Dammit, forgot to log out as ShoogarBear.

[Summers]

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.

[T Park]

Wrong Irate little man

Im not little.

haha (waits for the fat jokes)

and im clear from irate.

FARRR from it.

[spursfan09]

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 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.

[mbass]

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 . . .

Don't have a clue - good enough?

[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 les well into the 2010's.

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

[K-State Spur]

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 les well into the 2010's.

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 le, 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 les).

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I think it's obvious that it was Kobe.