[SportsPageMike]

Memories Of 1984 Could Haunt Portland

By Brain Fitzsimmons: SPM NJ Columnists: Jun. 28, 2007

NEW YORK— About 23 years ago to the day, GM Stu Inman sat with a wicked smile that hid insurmountable joy as NBA commissioner David Stern announced his Portland Trail Blazers selected center Sam Bowie with the second pick in the 1984 draft.

Bowie was the obvious choice over the gangly project named Michael Jordan, since he was reportedly more NBA-ready and was a center in league still trying to find the next Bill Walton to terrorize the paint. MORE.....

SPMSportspage.com :: Memories Of 1984 Could Haunt Portland

[ThePundit]

Appreciate the column Mike and it is ironic but nobody will criticize them for taking Oden. It was the absolute right move. 1984 was an exception where the best player who ever played the game came out....

[azrael492]

Probably wasn't the first time a GM was criticized for a pick, and it won't be the last. It is a gamble with just about anybody you pick.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Appreciate the column Mike and it is ironic but nobody will criticize them for taking Oden. It was the absolute right move. 1984 was an exception where the best player who ever played the game came out....

And yet there are some who see that kind of potential in Durant as well. Nobody will criticize the pick for now, but if Oden proves to be too soft and Durant winds up being a phenom, just wait and see. The critics will be crawling out of the woodworks.