Kevin Durant is going to be one scary dude

[Who]

Kevin Durant is a poor defender right now but I think given time he'll turn himself into a very good defender. He's too competitive, and is too coach-able, not to make major progress on that end of the floor over the next couple of years.

[Celtic]

I love Durant and am definitely a fan of his, and he is totally hidden away from a lot of NBA fans on that garbage team. I have a shirt of his from Seattle and I wear it as an act of defiance against Stern and OKC, I think in a few years people will realize just how good he is.

Having said all that, I wanted Oden over Durant, guess you never know.

[RebusRankin]

Durrant, Green, Westbrook is going to be a nice trio. Too bad, KD is never on tv.

[orrzor]

Yea if I were starting a team right now and could choose one young player, it would be either Lebron or Durant. Durant will learn to defend when his team gets better and he has the tools and drive to be great at it.

As for Oden vs Durant, it seems like a big difference between them is their attitudes. From what I've read in the Portland media, Oden puts a ton of pressure on himself and is trying to be as good as Duncan/Russell/all time greats were in their rookie years, but this pressure it seems is causing him to perform badly. Also he is said to sulk a lot and sit apart from his teammates on the plane. Granted these could be growing pains but it is a bit of a red flag that says he might not have the temperament to perform at a championship level and be the team leader/go to guy. He seems more of a 2nd banana at this point. Durant on the other hand clearly looks to dominate and take the team on his back. This could all change but this is what it looks like as of now.

[moiso]

I seem to recall a bunch of posters saying how much Durant sucked a couple months ago.  I think the kid is absolutely awesome- an offensive machine, and I think he'll improve the other facets of his game. 
But I kind of agree with Bankshot.  I wanted Oden with the first pick, and Oden will be the kind of player that can win championships if he stays healthy.  I still think Oden will be a beast, and it's not fair to compare the two player's games at this point.  But as far as durability goes, which is a huge thing, so far Durant has a huge edge.

[moiso]

That draft is similar to the Jordan/Akeem draft.  Obviously Durant correlates to Jordan and Oden to Olajuwan.  Totally different but Olajuwan was the safer bet to be an elite player.  Both turned out to be championship caliber.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Durant is an exciting player to watch. OKC has a young team with lots of potential. Durant and Jeff Green could lead this team into the playoff in a couple years. They're obviously going to have a lottery pick this season, too. OKC is going to be a good team couple of years from now.

[OmarSekou]

I'm happy that he's getting a few years to adapt to the nba game in relative obscurity. His skill set is unlike any player I've ever seen and I think him and Oden have a chance to go down as all-timers. I see those two as head and shoulders above anyone since Lebron's class and KD's already developed into an offensive force. Not necessarily in his game, but something about him reminds me of Pierce.

[cordobes]

Well, Durant can't defend, but why are people talking about Oden like he is a defensive force? Because he's big and offensively ray? He's no Przybilla, let alone a new Garnett.

Durrant, Green, Westbrook is going to be a nice trio.

I agree, Green and Westbrook are very nice players as well.

[Fafnir]

Well, Durant can't defend, but why are people talking about Oden like he is a defensive force? Because he's big and offensively ray? He's no Przybilla, let alone a new Garnett.

Durrant, Green, Westbrook is going to be a nice trio.

I agree, Green and Westbrook are very nice players as well.

I think people expect that Oden will become a very good defensive player. He has the right mentality and the physical tools for it certainly. I don't think you can necessarily say the same for Durant.

[cordobes]

Well, Durant can't defend, but why are people talking about Oden like he is a defensive force? Because he's big and offensively ray? He's no Przybilla, let alone a new Garnett.

Durrant, Green, Westbrook is going to be a nice trio.

I agree, Green and Westbrook are very nice players as well.

I think people expect that Oden will become a very good defensive player. He has the right mentality and the physical tools for it certainly. I don't think you can necessarily say the same for Durant.

Why? What's the difference? Especially on the mental tools, I don't see why Oden has the edge there - quite the opposite. I also don't see any clear physical advantage, at least for now.

[Fafnir]

Well, Durant can't defend, but why are people talking about Oden like he is a defensive force? Because he's big and offensively ray? He's no Przybilla, let alone a new Garnett.

Durrant, Green, Westbrook is going to be a nice trio.

I agree, Green and Westbrook are very nice players as well.

I think people expect that Oden will become a very good defensive player. He has the right mentality and the physical tools for it certainly. I don't think you can necessarily say the same for Durant.

Why? What's the difference? Especially on the mental tools, I don't see why Oden has the edge there - quite the opposite. I also don't see any clear physical advantage, at least for now.

I worry about Durant's size. His length is great but if he doesn't add strength I worry about him guarding 3s along the line of Pierce or Caron Butler (in past seasons this one he's been terrible). Also I wonder how well he'll be at staying in front of his man ever unless he slides to the 4.

Oden I think has the body type to defend most centers. Plus I think he focuses on defense more mentally. Though his penchant for frustration and pouting is troublesome.

I also make the mistake of saying defense when I mean defense and rebounding. I should have added that to my thoughts earlier. For as long as he his Durant is pathetic on the boards.

A 7 footer who will work like Oden on the glass always has me excited. I think its from screaming at Mark Blount too much.....

Edit: Or STAT currently. He's been pathetic on the boards the last two Suns game I've watched. Also I just looked at Durant's splits he seems to be doing much better rebounding the past few months. I need to watch another Thunder game more closely. I haven't watched one in January that I can recall.

[TrueGreen]

I really now see why Danny has been drooling all over this kid and why he was praying to get a top 2 pick in 2007..I honestly think He drafts Durant over Oden had he gotten the top pick.

If we had drafted Durant we would be nowhere. The real question is would Danny have traded the pick anyway. I know it would be tough for him to have done, but hopefully someday Danny will answer the what if. Anyway we got lucky by not getting lucky.

[TrueGreen]

Durant has been playing incredible basketball since moving back over to small forward.

He really has. He's been outstanding. It just goes to show that Carlesimo really had it all wrong.

Question, are the Blazers kicking themselves yet? If not then they will be.

Blazers shouldn't be kicking themselves.  I would be upset if Danny picked Durant over Oden.  Durant is great, but Oden is going to be dominant, the type of dominant center you win championships with.  Heck, he's already making an impact on a winning team as a rookie (well technically he's not really a rookie, but this is the first year he's played).

How many points does Durant have to score before you admit that there's even a possibility that he might just have been the better pick?

Points scored. How important. KG, PP and RA are scoring less than they ever have and the Celtics are champs. Jordan dropped 63 on the Celtics in a long ago playoff game. Who won the game? The Celtics did.

[Toine43]

Here's what Blazer fans think about the Oden/Durant debate. I guess this was to be expected...

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/1/24/735801/do-you-wish-you-had-durant