The oldest 24 yr old in America As we approached the 2007 NBA Draft, every team in the NBA wanted to land the number one or two pick. The rest of the draft seemed to be filled with mediocre talent, but the top 2 prospects: Greg Oden and Kevin Durrant were game-changers. The only argument was over which of the two "One-and-Done" Freshmen were worthy of the top overall pick. Durant was a pure scorer, and it was believed, once refined, would be the next Carmelo Anthony. Oden, however, was considered a once in a lifetime talent... A big man, who had quickness and athleticism, a trait generally lacking in 7 footers. The 2007 NBA Draft Lottery was one of the most highly anticipated nights in NBA off-season history. There were 14 teams, who all had a chance to land one of the two "Franchise Players" that the draft was producing. After much drama and speculation... Portland and Seattle (now OKC) were awarded the number 1 and 2 picks respectively. On Draft night, the Blazers selected the 19 year old Oden first overall pick, followed by Seattle picking Durant from Texas. Both teams rejoiced, as their troubled franchises now had reasons to be optimistic toward the future. This optimism in one of these cities would wear thin rather quickly. Portland, whose wounds had barely healed from their disastrous 1984 Draft (Selected Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan), had ripped open their own scar in 2007. Time has now proven that Greg Oden was a poor pick, especially when compared to Durant. A slew of microfractures in Oden's knees has limited his ability to play, and stay on the floor. After missing his entire rookie season, most of his third season, all of his fourth, and now, the Blazers have announced that Oden's troubled knees will keep him out the entire 2012 season. The 7-foot center was undergoing a minor procedure Monday to clear out debris in his left knee in Vail, Colo., when the surgeon determined there was additional damage and performed microfracture surgery, the Portland Trail Blazers said.
Here are some other names from the 2007 NBA Draft that have gone on to lead more fruitful playing careers than Oden:
#3: Al Horford (Hawks) #4: Mike Conley Jr (Grizzlies) #9: Joakim Noah (Bulls) #15: Rodney Stuckey (Pistons) #16: Nick Young (Wizards) #35: Glen Davis (Celtics) #37: Josh McRoberts (Blazers) #48: Marc Gasol (Lakers) -Kevin Aherne Regardless of your opinion on Manny Ramirez, the truth is he is one of the best hitters the game has seen in a long time. Speaking of a long time, that's the last time Ramirez played a meaningful game. Last season a 3rd suspension for performance enhancing drugs, forced Ramirez into retirement rather than face a 100 game suspension. Now he's back. MLB has dropped the newest Oakland Athletic's suspension to 50 games, and if all goes ATP he will be eligible to be in the lineup on May 30th. That date marks Manny's 40th birthday. So what you say are the A's thinking? I would have to say the Athletics franchise at this time is trying desperatly to do 2 things. First increase the power in their starting 9. It's no secret the A's could use some help in that department. The second is basic economics, Manny sells tickets. A $500,000 minor league deal is in even a small market clu For Manny a shot perhaps to clean up his name? Not likely, I would say Manny genuinely missed the game last season. There is a small chance Ramirez doesn't squander this second opportunity and pulls out some Dave Winfield type numbers. We will just have to wait and see what Manny shows up in May. -Pal The Yankees Sunday made the move official. Burnett to Pittsburgh for cash considerations and two lower level prospects. According to ESPN, Pittsburgh has agreed to pick up 13 of the 30 plus million owed to the veteran hurler. A move extremely uncharacteristic for the Pirates. A smaller market equals a smaller budget. That's what teams like the Pirates have endured for years. Pittsburgh this off season has already added often injured starter Erik Bedard to its rotation. Now they've added a hefty sum on top of there usual budget for an overrated, not much left in the tank, arm. I'm not surprised the Yankees dumped Burnett, it was on their off season checklist. I'm just a little surprised at the unusual spending habits of a perennial basement dweller. -Pal Hey there, it’s the one and only Ryan Fox back again to contribute to the sports blogging world. Okay, that being said a lot has happened since I last blogged. Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, there was and wasn’t an NBA Strike (not that anybody really cared), saw a MLB Free Agent Bonanza, including the greatest hitter of our generations packing up his things from St. Louis and heading West, and a bunch of other things that I could talk about but really don’t feel like it. That being said, there’s a few things that are happening now or about to happen in the near future. I could chat your ear off about them but rather than do that, we’ll do bullet points instead. Fast and to the point, just like what my ex-girlfriend said about me. Ha ha, self-insult. Any who, onto the bullet points. In YOU'VE GOTTA BE EFFIN' KIDDING ME News: ESPN has been scrambling to recover their PR dignity after 3 separate incidents involving racially insensitive comments aimed at Knick phenom Jeremy Lin. The Knicks had been on a winning streak since Lin became the starting point guard, but that streak came to an end on Friday, sparking the controversial comments.
-Kevin Aherne
By Kevin Aherne Jeremy Lin has continued to amaze, becoming the main attraction in the Mecca of the Sports Universe (MSG) for the New York Knicks. Lin is playing so well, that Kinck fans, rather than joyfully anticipating the return of injured stars in Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudamire are actually worried about how they will fit in with NYC's newest hero. Lin's story is even more admirable because he is Asian American, from an Ivy League university, who was 4 days away from being cut, as his 10-day contract was nearing finality. He was days away from being released for the 4th time in 14 months, probably ending his NBA hopes, and suddenly, he is the life-force behind the resurgent Knickerbockers. For 7 consecutive games, Lin, and his Knicks have been unstoppable, winning their way back into Eastern Conference relevance. His stats are incredible, and the results are indisputable: With that said... can we cool it with the Lin Puns? Linsanity was cute, but the liberal usage of that and other puns using Jeremy Lin's name has become unbearable. here are some of the worst offenders:
Apparently Brad Marchand's absence from the recently released Boston Bruins Championship DVD was not incidental. According to Sports Illustrated, When it was Marchand's turn to be interviewed, he was turned away, because he was, in his words, "intoxicated."
He may be a hell of a hockey player, but the Nosed-Faced Killah's judgement seems to be highly questionable. He also admits to getting inked to commemorate the Stanley Cup... misspelling the word: "Champians" -Kevin Aherne By Kevin Aherne The Super Bowl has passed, Opening Day is still well over a month away, and March Madness isn't until... well, March. The NBA and NHL are going strong, but this is the time of year where the major sports tend to cool off. So, for the next month we will be privy to plenty of hockey fights, NBA All-Star festivities, some college hoops. And, as I am ashamed to admit, I have to resorted to finding excitement in stories like this: So, as we Sports Fans fight through the current doldrums, just now, a brighter future is on the horizon.... March Madness leads into MLB Opening Day, followed by the NFL Draft, NHL and NBA Playoffs, then all of a sudden, we are back to the NFL Preseason.... so hang in there, fight through the boring, and we shall overcome.
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