OT: Which team has a higher ceiling?

Melo-2-JRSwish · Post #1 » by **Melo-2-JRSwish** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:23 pm

Between the Blazers and the Thunder which team would you say has the brightest future in the NBA? Both teams have franchise stars and a pretty good supporting casts. I'd give Portland the edge now but after this year's draft if the Thunder get Blake Griffen or James Harden. They'll have a great young core. Of course this all depends on the growth of Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge on Portland and the growth of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. What do you guys think?

Wigginstime · Post #2 » by **Wigginstime** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:30 pm

i think this completely depends on the growth of Oden. If Oden lives up to the expectations then Portland easily has a brighter future. If Oden continues his current path of injuries and disappointments then I would say OK.

almost famous · Post #3 » by **almost famous** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:53 pm

I never believed in Oden from the very beginning. I think Thuder has a "bigger ceiling," because they have more money to spend. They also have some really solid young pieces, and will have a draft pick to add another. With their best players on rookie contracts, they will have a great oppertunity to sign solid players.

Portland really got screwed on that Miles contract, as well they should have. If teams were allowed to back out on horrible contracts because of injuries Denver would have dumped Kenyon a long time ago. I don't think it helped them by the way they treated that situation.

pickIBL · Post #4 » by **pickIBL** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:41 pm

as the teams sit today the Blazers have the higher ceiling. Roy, Oden, Aldridge and co are just a better core. That is despite how well Durant is playing. I held the minority opinion that Durant should have gone number one. That's not exactly the minority opinion anymore. Jeff Green is looking good with nice range and Westbrook is coming on strong right now. OKC can make some moves and build around the core they have though. With Durant in the core the chances to contend should be good in the future.

pistonsnuggets · Post #5 » by **pistonsnuggets** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:07 am

I would have said the Thunder with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green. And with the addition of Tyson Chandler they would have been a force in a few years....
BUT
The trade got rescinded and so i pick Portland

elbowthrower · Post #6 » by **elbowthrower** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:12 am

For the next 3-5 years, Portland. Better coach, deeper team, more experience, deep pockets.

After that OKC will catch up.

EMB6903 · Post #7 » by **EMB6903** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:58 am

Ill take Portland by a lot. With extremely young talent like Rudy Fernandez, Jeryd Bayless, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden.... On pace for around 50 games this year.... in the near future this team is going to be scary good.

pickaxe · Post #8 » by **pickaxe** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:33 am

I don't think either team will fulfill its' draft's expectations. Both will be traded to contenders or teams wishing to contend.

DaFan334 · Post #9 » by **DaFan334** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:32 pm

Portland should have moved Reafs expiring contract to bring in another quality nba star. Now with Miles contract on the books this team might have some issues down the line here upgrading much in the next 2 years.

denvers_finest · Post #10 » by **denvers_finest** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:45 pm

Right now, I gotta go with Portland. The combination of LA and Roy is great, and if Oden or Bayless pan out like they're supposed to, they could have a great team for years to come. It'll be interesting to see how many of these good/great young players they can hold onto. You have to figure as these players get off their rookie deals they're gonna have some choices to make, and likely will lose alot of the depth that has made them so good with such a young team.

I do think OCK has a good future with Durant/Westbrook/Green. I personally think they should look to move Green to get a qualtiy big man. I know Green plays the 4 for them, I just don't see that as a long term solution. If they are able to convert him into a quality 4 or 5, and can make smart moves with their 4 firsts in the next two drafts, they very well could pass Portland in the next few years.

Nuggets could be looking at a tough division in 3 or 4 years (minny has some pontential too), hopefully they can make some smart moves to stay ahead of the up and coming teams in the division.

realfung · Post #11 » by **realfung** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:39 pm

Thunder.
Portland got screwed by Oden.

jaisibal · Post #12 » by **jaisibal** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:16 am

Portland likely has a higher ceiling, but that seriously depends on whether Oden can even last. His NBA comparison was David Robinson and a Brandon roy+LA+David robinson seems like an immediate contender to me. Also their coach is better and their bench is deeper.

and they have rudy fernandez.