Anyways, again Sam, we agree on the general theory that bigs are more valuable than wings with equal skill. The big problem is the 45/145 games played thing, and Oden’s demeanor issues.

We agree Durant will be fantastic and will need pieces around him. The difference now is that you see Oden as far more than he’s shown he can be…yet.

First of all, Bill Simmons can kiss my black ass. That’s right, kiss it — yeah, yeah — kiss it. Damn naggers.

Second, I’m sorry I “pick(ed) on (your) crappy wording/overzealousness.” That’s cheap, and I promise I’ll never do it again.

Third, the Debate. We both agree that dominant big men are absolutely essential to winning a championship – history has shown it. The only argument now remaining is if Oden can be that type of player, and I argue that it’s still too early to tell, and Oden is still worth the gamble. Although yes, the clock has started to click.

Bill Simmons thinks I’m insane, and Blake thinks I’m drunk, so clearly my creditability has run its course; my logic can’t be trusted. So lets recall wise, and sober, Jay Triano of a couple weeks ago. Jay said something to the effect of, Bosh “is more than just 20-10…his defense means more to this team.” Jay Triano just identified why Greg Oden is still the #1 pick on the retrospective, and completely sane, draft board.

Greg Oden’s value cannot be judged merely by statistics.

Durant’s stats are far better, of course. Yet not only is Durant learning an easier position, he’s also learning a position – and on a team – where can simply run the floor and collect easy buckets.

Oden’s was not drafted to score 30/night. He was drafted to dish out a 20/10 and more importantly, provide a sense of grit and toughness which has a value far beyond the petty measure of blocks per game.

Is Oden doing that? Not really. But he’s been injured. No excuse? Well then he’s still developing and learning a tough position/tough style, and that will take time. He only received one year’s coaching at Ohio, and maybe the ‘Blazers want to be gentle with his development and ensure he doesn’t learn any bad habits.

But is he developing too slowly, even after factoring in his position/style of play? Lets see. He only averages 9/7/1 on 23 minutes per night, but how about Dwight Howard? He turned out alright and in his rookie season went 12/10/1.7, while needing 32 minutes per game to reach that plateau. It’s sane to say that Dwight Howard turned out okay, right? And hey, maybe Portland just likes to take their sweet, gentle time with their bigs, Lamarcus Alderidge averaging 9/5/1 on his rookie campaign. He turned out okay, too.

Again, we need a sane person here: yahoo expert Chris Liss recently stated, “I think Portland if it can get Greg Oden at anything close to healthy, will be a tough out, and of course, Utah, San Antonio…” (http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/nba/news;_ylt=AocIXkHS4QeT4QMoZxfy6XhKRwU6?slug=givego_030409&prov=rotowire&type=lgns) Chris was talking about the playoffs, and apparently believes Oden would be a significant difference maker for the ‘Blazers in the playoffs. Playoffs. Playoffs. (Durant in the playoffs?…nope) Why would Chris say this about a guy who averages 9/7/1? Is Chris insane, too? Maybe. Or maybe he also recognizes the necessity of a dominant big man in winning championships and see’s Oden as being capable of filling that quintessential role. Already.

(Did open do anything to help Portland make it to the playoffs? With and without Oden Portland posted a similar winning percentage, but his 23/night on a good team still cannot be completely thrown out)

So while we’re memorized by Durant’s vast skill set and giggle like intoxicated monkeys over his nightly stat lines and jersey sale numbers, it’s a cold comfort, and one that will never produce a championship until Kobe gets his Shaq…or Oden.

Yeah, kiss it, yeah, yeah.

“By the way, Oden-Durant remains one of those rare stories that isn’t getting enough attention — not just the offensive leap that Durant made this season, but just how lousy Oden’s “rookie” season has been compared to what our expectations were in 2007. Forget about his durability issues, his knee injury that cost him last season, even all his nagging little injuries this season. Just in the games that he has played — and again, we’re talking about 49 of a possible 125 — he has been absolutely underwhelming compared to our original expectations. Here’s what Chad Ford wrote in his 2007 Draft Tracker scouting report on Oden, and remember, this was the consensus opinion at the time.

“The consensus No. 1 pick in the draft despite Kevin Durant’s amazing season. Draws comparisons to Tim Duncan, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson. He may not be spectacular, but most NBA GMs believe he’ll immediately be one of the top two centers in the league. His strong performance in the NCAA title game gave us a glimmer of what he’s capable of, going for 25 points, 12 boards and four blocks.”

I didn’t agree with that assessment (especially the “immediately one of the top two centers part) and thought Durant was the only sure thing in that draft. Regardless, a good chunk of people DID agree with Chad’s take, and since that’s the case, how can anyone argue Oden’s NBA career has been anything other than a disaster so far? You don’t think it’s a red flag that he averaged a 15-9 with three blocks in his only college season, and his typical NBA stat line was “nine points, seven rebounds, one blocks and a 50 percent chance of foul trouble in 20-23 minutes?” What have we seen from him that tells us, “Greg Oden can consistently dominate a basketball game?” I’m still waiting. Hell, even Sam Bowie did better in his rookie season: 10.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.8 APG and 2.8 BPG in 76 games. I’m not saying Oden can’t turn it around and become a valuable starting center, but his ceiling has lowered to the degree that only an insane person would argue Portland did the right thing two summers ago.”

There you have it Sam. Bill Simmons thinks you’re an insane person. I just think you’re drunk.

I agree, given equal stature a big is more valuable in terms of championships than a wing. Definitely. But Oden doesn’t appear to be close to the player Durant is.

Also, don’t pick on my crappy wording/overzealousness from the first article, it was like my 6th article ever haha.

Blake: While I agree that Durant is the more individually talented player, who cares?

Contrast of styles? Hmm. How about contrast of winning and losing? And not just games or scoring championships, I’m talking about real championships. 5 of the last 6 teams that won the NBA title – Spers, Pistons, Celtics – embodied that, “conservative, defensive-minded, play-not-to-lose type” of mentality that apparently also is Oden’s Achilles heal. Miami won, too, but only after they nabbed some big dude named Shaq, who also was the main reason the Lakers won 3 consecutive titles prior to the emergence of another “conservative, defensive-minded, play-not-to-lose type” named Tim Duncan. I’m seeing a trend here.

Teams that play defense win. Teams that play solid defense have a solid, true big man in the middle.

Greg Oden is that, or he has a damn good shot at becoming it.

Durant? He’s a forward. He’s good and maybe even great. But if we are indeed talking about “a guy with a lot of finger bling by the end of his career,” then we’re taking Oden…and so are 30 other GMs.

Durant. Who cares.