Thursday, June 28, 2007

Durant Deserves to go FIrst

By: Ryan Killian

I'm going to turn my back on the congregation real quick and deliver a short sermon to you, the choir.

Kevin Durant should be the first pick in tomorrow's NBA draft.

You've seen what I've seen, haven't you? That glorious jump shot he'll drain from anywhere on the court, that majestic one-handed dunk. He's the best talent to come out of the college ranks in years, and his place atop the NBA draft is only in doubt because taking a seven-footer with a real inside presence first is just common sense.

Durant defies this prevalent theory, though. From a young age, he learned how to play the game by not playing much at all. He engaged in monotonous drill after monotonous drill and became one of the most well-rounded, skillful 18-year-olds the game has ever seen.

We all know how good Greg Oden can be. The question is, how good can Durant be? No one's really sure. He still hasn't filled out that 6-foot-10-inch frame. Oden might be the safe pick, but have some faith. Durant will be very good, and he just might be one of the best ever.

The pro-Durant position seems to be picking up steam at this late juncture - I think I've even heard some mumbled affirmations from the pew-sitters behind me - and new analysis by stat guru John Hollinger further strengthens this position. I'll spare you the details, but according to him, not only is the former Texas star heads and shoulders above Oden - in a strictly figurative sense, of course - he's far above any collegiate product of the last five years.

He hits threes. He makes blocks. He snares rebounds. Anyone can look up the stats and see that.

I sat almost under the basket, on the floor as Durant scored 25 points in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks. When he scored 37 more against KU during the Big 12 Tournament, I was there.

If Portland's front office saw what I saw, they'd have a hard time passing over the teenager who made history in NCAA Basketball by winning just about every outstanding player award possible - as a freshman.

If there's anything he lacks in talent - and I'm not sure there is - he makes up for it with desire. Who's ever said that about Oden? Who wouldn't want to say it about a guy on their team?

I get the feeling he hates losing more than he likes winning, and a player like that demands respect.

God help the Trail Blazers if they slight this ultimate competitor. For he will strike down with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to underestimate him.

Amen.

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