I still remember the summer of 2007 like it was yesterday - the buzz around the NBA draft was electric, and everyone was debating who would become the 2007 first pick in NBA history. As a lifelong basketball enthusiast who's followed the league for over two decades, I've always found draft nights particularly fascinating because they represent both immense hope and tremendous uncertainty. That year's selection would prove to be one of the most consequential decisions in modern basketball history, shaping not just one franchise but ultimately influencing how teams approach the draft process today.
The Portland Trail Blazers held that coveted first pick, and the basketball world held its collective breath. Greg Oden from Ohio State University was the chosen one - a 7-foot center with unbelievable athleticism and defensive prowess that had scouts comparing him to Bill Russell. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant from Texas was the other top contender, an offensive savant who'd just put together one of the most dominant college seasons I've ever witnessed. I'll admit, at the time, I would have chosen Oden too - his combination of size, timing, and defensive instinct seemed like the safer bet for building a championship team. The Blazers organization and their fans were absolutely ecstatic, believing they'd secured their franchise cornerstone for the next decade.
Looking back now with the benefit of hindsight, it's fascinating to analyze how careers can take such dramatically different paths. Oden's professional journey was plagued by injuries from the very beginning - he missed his entire rookie season after microfracture surgery on his right knee. When he did play, he showed flashes of that incredible potential, averaging 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 82 games spread across five seasons. But the injuries never stopped - multiple knee surgeries, setbacks, and ultimately, his body couldn't withstand the demands of professional basketball. He last played in the NBA during the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat, appearing in just 23 games. These days, he's completed his degree at Ohio State and works in basketball operations, recently serving as a graduate manager for the Buckeyes men's program. It's honestly heartbreaking when I think about what could have been - the man was built to dominate the paint in any era.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant, selected second by the Seattle SuperSonics, has crafted one of the most remarkable careers in basketball history. Two NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, one regular season MVP, and thirteen All-Star selections - the numbers speak for themselves. At 35 years old, he's still performing at an elite level, recently completing his first season with the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 27.1 points per game. The trajectory difference between these two careers serves as a constant reminder that draft evaluation is equal parts science and fortune. I've often wondered how different the NBA landscape might look if Portland had chosen differently - would they have built a dynasty around Durant? Would the Golden State Warriors still have become the modern dynasty we know?
This reflection on career trajectories reminds me of similar stories across sports. Just recently, I was watching Wimbledon and came across an inspiring story about a young Filipina tennis player who, despite ultimately losing, demonstrated incredible potential against established champions. In her match against Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova, she pushed the veteran to the limit in a two-hour, ten-minute battle before falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-6. Though her maiden campaign at the prestigious grass-court grand slam concluded with this defeat, the fight she showed against top competition suggests we might be witnessing the emergence of another special talent. It's these kinds of performances that make sports so compelling to me - the unknown potential, the dramatic narratives, the what-ifs that keep us coming back season after season.
The legacy of being the 2007 first pick in NBA history is complicated. For Greg Oden, it's a story of unfulfilled potential and physical limitations beyond his control. For the Portland Trail Blazers, it represents one of the biggest what-ifs in franchise history. And for basketball analysts like myself, it serves as a permanent case study in how difficult projecting young athletes can be. I've come to believe that no amount of scouting or analytics can account for the unpredictable nature of health and development. What makes sports truly captivating isn't just the success stories but these complex narratives of talent, circumstance, and resilience. Both Oden and Durant have handled their respective paths with remarkable grace - Oden never making excuses for his injuries, Durant continuously evolving his game despite criticism. In the end, that might be the most valuable lesson from the 2007 draft - that how athletes navigate their unique journeys matters just as much as where they start.