Durant, Green make All-Rookie First Team

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Durant, Green make All-Rookie First Team

To no one's surprise, Kevin Durant was named to the All-Rookie first team but was edged out by Al Horford for most votes. Horford made a late run for Rookie of the Year because the Atlanta Hawks made a spirited playoff run and the Sonics finished with the second-worst record in the league. But I think it's a lack of exposure for Durant in the second half of the season -- when the Sonics were hardly on National TV and had a few games dropped -- and the fact Atlanta hadn't made the playoffs in nine years.

Horford is going to be a nice player but it's rather strange for him to get unamimous first team while Durant got one second-place vote from the league's coaches. The team is not constructed by position, so that means one coach thought five rookies were better than Durant this season. Players such as Nick Young, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Mike Conley received first place votes, which is odd considereding none of those made a major impact on their teams this season, only showing flashes of their potential.

I think Durant definitely has his detractors and will have a lot to prove next year as the Sonics look to improve, regardless of where this team plays.

As for the Sonics, is there any fan excitment about the May 20 draft lottery? And what would be the fans feelings if Seattle received the No. 1 pick? Would that add any support to the Sonics' staying in Seattle or are many locals so disenchanted with Clay Bennett, the laziness of the state legislature and bitterness of David Stern, 1984 Michael Jordan could sign with the Sonics and nobody would care.

Give me your feedback.

Posted by at May 13, 2008 10:54 p.m.

Comments

#128674

Posted by unregistered user at 5/14/08 9:32 a.m.

Getting first or second pick would make most fans pretty happy. Get 3rd some would still be ok, others not. Get 4th or 5th they should trade it.

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#128809

Posted by brooloo at 5/14/08 2:31 p.m.

My guess is that the one "nay" vote is from a coach of one of the bottom feeders in the East who is still upset his team didn't get the #1 pick in the draft last year.

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#128859

Posted by cewl20 at 5/14/08 3:46 p.m.

If the Sonics received a #1 that would be huge. Even another #2 is huge. I would prefer the Sonics pick Rose, and that seemed highly possible before the NCAA tournament. But now Miami is drooling over him as well. But Beasly is no consolation prize. It's like 1 and 1A.

But I think the Sonics needs are more desperate at the Point Guard position, despite a career year from Watson. A Deron Williams/Chris Paul mix is tantalizing, and makes this team 10 games better. Beasley would be a beast, but I don't know if he would have the same impact as Rose. Either way, its win win and I hope the Sonics land either and then pick a center from the US who has played college ball. Hasheem Thabeet or DeAndre Jordan would be my choice. Both are very raw, but both have actual playing potential AND athletic ability unlike Petro, Swift, and Sene where those 3 had one but not the other...

Finally, with 6 picks, dish away 3 for some legit veteran help. Keep the highest #2 and pick yet another good rookie. The Sonics will be feared in 3 years, as OKC or as Seattle.

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#128861

Posted by cewl20 at 5/14/08 3:48 p.m.

Mmm, I said center from the US, then mentioned Thabeet. I mean a player who has played for a legit US college program (such as UCONN). I don't have a problem with foreign players that are good...

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