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Greg Oden Signs With Portland Trail Blazers; Already Developing Chemistry With Teammates

The Associated Press reports on Greg Oden and the Trail Blazers:

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed No. 1 pick Greg Oden.

According the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Oden’s deal will be for two years, with team options for the third and fourth seasons. Oden will make $3.885 million as a rookie and $4.176 in Year 2. If they pick up the option in the third year, his salary will be $4.476 million.

Oden, a 7-foot center from Ohio State, signed his contract Sunday and the team announced the deal Monday.

Oden immediately started working out with the other players on Portland’s summer league roster, impressing teammates with his powerful dunks and ability to block shots.

"One shot I couldn’t block, and he came over my shoulder and blocked it; I was amazed," said power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft. "And he dunked everything around the rim."

Oden, Aldridge and second-year guard Sergio Rodriguez headline Portland’s Las Vegas Summer League team, which opens its five-game schedule Friday against the Boston Celtics.

The Trail Blazers also signed second-round picks Josh McRoberts, the forward from Duke, and Florida guard Taurean Green.

Petteri Koponen, the Finnish point guard who was the final pick of the first round, signed a waiver that allows him to play in the summer league.

['The Star' - knights7]

All articles posted in here by me are from http://www.hoopsvibe.com/


Greg Oden Signs With Portland Trail Blazers; Already Developing Chemistry With Teammates

The Associated Press reports on Greg Oden and the Trail Blazers:

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed No. 1 pick Greg Oden.

According the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Oden’s deal will be for two years, with team options for the third and fourth seasons. Oden will make $3.885 million as a rookie and $4.176 in Year 2. If they pick up the option in the third year, his salary will be $4.476 million.

Oden, a 7-foot center from Ohio State, signed his contract Sunday and the team announced the deal Monday.

Oden immediately started working out with the other players on Portland’s summer league roster, impressing teammates with his powerful dunks and ability to block shots.

"One shot I couldn’t block, and he came over my shoulder and blocked it; I was amazed," said power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft. "And he dunked everything around the rim."

Oden, Aldridge and second-year guard Sergio Rodriguez headline Portland’s Las Vegas Summer League team, which opens its five-game schedule Friday against the Boston Celtics.

The Trail Blazers also signed second-round picks Josh McRoberts, the forward from Duke, and Florida guard Taurean Green.

Petteri Koponen, the Finnish point guard who was the final pick of the first round, signed a waiver that allows him to play in the summer league.

['The Star' - knights7]

Lakers Re-Sign Walton

ESPN reports on the Lakers re-signing Luke Walton:

Luke Walton reached agreement Sunday with the Los Angeles Lakers on a six-year, $30 million contract after general manager Mitch Kupchak placed a call one minute after midnight to express the team’s interest in retaining its best unrestricted free agent.

The L.A. Times Lakers blog comments on this transaction:

Luke Walton: 6 years, 30 million bucks. Assuming nothing nutty happens, ’tis official. And fairly predictable. He wanted to stay. The Lakers wanted to keep him. Bird Rights. Lengthy contract, but the money’s not ridiculous by today’s NBA standards. There you have it.

['The Star' - knights7]

2007 NBA Draft Break Down

Portland- Greg Oden: No surprise that they took him with the first pick. The franchise now revolves around him. Rudy Fernandez: Is a great combo guard with Manu Ginobili type abilities. Petteri Koponen: Solid young PG that will take a few years to play. Josh McRoberts: He slipped big time falling to the 2nd round, he could be solid player off the bench for Portland. Taurean Green: I thought he slipped a little far, but he is a winner and a solid PG to come off the bench.
Overall grade for Portland A+
 
Seattle- Kevin Durant: The franchise is offically his now and he may be looked upon to be the go to guy, but it shouldn’t be a problem for him. Jeff Green: Will be Durants sidekick the perfect role for Green.
Overall grade for Seattle A+
 
Atlanta- Al Horford: A winner that can step in instantly and help out the struggling front court. Acie Law IV: Solid all around PG that can take some of the load of Speed Claxton right away.
Overall grade for Atlanta A.
 
Memphis- Mike Conley Jr: The perfect PG for the system Marc Iavaroni wants to run.
Overall grade for Memphis A.
 
Milwaukee- Yi Jianlian: Even though his reps made it perfectly known they didn’t want him there. Larry Harris took Yi anyway. This was an interesting selection for them. Ramon Sessions: Is a solid 3rd team PG and I’m guessing that’s what they want him to be.
Overall grade for Milwaukee B-
 
Minnesota- Corey Brewer: He adds a much needed perimeter presence that can help right our right away. Chris Richard: Can still hang with Gator teammate Brewer. Chris is a decent PF that can contribute to the T’Wolves front court.
Overall grade for Minnesota B+
 
Charlotte- Jared Dudley: A true hustle player, who can do the little things and be a difference maker on the court. Jamereo Davidson: Long, athletic PF that will give them a different look from their other bigs.
Overall grade for Charlotte C.
 
Chicago- Joakim Noah: Not the inside scorer they need, he fits the system, but I’m not sure if Skiles and him will always see eye to eye. Aaron Gray: He is a very solid center and I believe he could be a steal for the Bulls. JamesOn Curry: I’m not all surprised they selected him he is poor mans Rip Hamilton,but worth the shot.
Overall grade for Chicago B.
 
Sacramento- Spencer Hawes: Very skilled post player. Can learn alot from a good player like Brad Miller.
Overall grade for Sacramento B.
 
Philadelphia- Thaddeus Young: Great surprise choice for Philly, he could be a future star if he develops the right way. Jason Smith: Gives them the skilled low post player they need, he provides many different looks for them. Derrick Byars: He is a steal in my opinion very solid all around player. Herbert Hill: Very good shot blocker that can help a struggling defense.
Overall grade for Philadelphia A-
 
New Orleans- Julian Wright: A solid player that can play 4 different spots. Adam Haluska: Great shooter who is not to flashy with his game, a solid choice for the Hornets.
Overall grade for New Orleans B-
 
L.A. Clippers- Al Thornton: Provides young athleticism and gives them a different look. Jared Jordan: He is an assist man but he’s no John Stockton. He could make a solid back up PG if he pans out.
Overall grade for the Clippers C.
 
Detroit- Rodney Stuckey: Provides athleticism, youth, scoring, defense. Could be a Chauncey Billups in the making. Arron Afflalo: He is what you call Pistons material he fits right in and provides all things they’re looking for. Sammy Mejia: Most likely will head overseas or the NBDL for some more work.
Overall grade for Detroit A-
 
Washington- Nick Young: Nick can step right in and fill the void that DeShawn Stevenson just made. He is a true play maker. Dominic McGuire: Is capable of playing both forward spots and is a hard worker.
Overall grade for Washington B+
 
New Jersey- Sean Williams: If Williams stays out of trouble this is a great pick. His defensive skills are outstanding.
Overall grade for New Jersey B.
 
Golden State- Brandan Wright: He gives them a talent low post player they lack, and he fits their style of play. Brandan will be a work in progress though. Marco Belinelli: Good shooting combo guard that they could use. May not play this year due to a difficult buyout in his contract. Stephane Lasme: Provides good defense for an offensive minded team a very solid pick up.
Overall grade for Goldne State A.
 
L.A. Lakers- Javaris Crittenton: Has a lot of upside, but will take a few years to develop. Sun Yue: Also has upside, is versatile, but will take some time to learn the NBA game. Marc Gasol: Not as good as his brother, but has big man skills that the Lakers could use of the bench.
Overall grade for the Lakers C+
 
Miami- Daequan Cook: A good scorer and a decent all around player. Would make a great 6th man starting out his career for the Heat.
Overall grade for Miami C.
 
New York- Wilson Chandler: Athletic freak, but plays the same spot as a few others on the team. Demetris Nichols: Also pretty much plays the same spot as Chandler and others, however he is more skilled than some of them.
Overall grade for New York C-
 
Phoenix- Alondo Tucker: Fits in the Suns style of play. Is a good all around player that provides fresh legs to run with the team. DJ Strawberry: Is a good fit for the Suns and if sticks on the squad can learn from the player he says he plays like Raja Bell.
Overall grade for Phoenix B-
 
Utah- Morris Almond: I think he’s the most underrated player in the draft. He can score and play solid defense, and can contribute right away. Kyrylo Fesenko: Is still developing but has the potential to be like a Memhet Okur a player they already have on their squad. Some say Fesenko is a major steal.
Overall grade for Utah B+
 
Houston- Aaron Brooks: This is an interesting pick they already have shooting point guards. He does provide great shooting skills and quickness, but I question this pick. Carl Landry: Very solid PF who keeps improving I think he is underrated and he helps fill a weak spot for them. Brad Newley: Was a great player overseas, and he could make a solid back up to the team in the future. Overall grade for Houston C-
 
San Antonio- Tiago Splitter: Very solid PF who can fit right in with the Spurs once he can come from overseas. Marcus Williams: Can play multiple spots and is a very sound player that brings some youth to an older team.
Overall grade for San Antonio B.
 
Dallas- Nick Fazekas: Very good all around shooter. Gets rebounds and blocks shot. Will make a great off the bench presence. Reyshawn Terry: Good outside shooter, is active on both sides of the ball, and can could be an Avery Johnson favorite. Renaldas Seibutis: Plays hard defense, good driving to the basket, solid shooter, a solid choice for the Mavs.
Overall grade for Dallas B+
 
Boston- Glen Davis: Short PF that has a lot of weight on him. He does have skills to run with the Celtics he makes a solid player to contribute off the bench. Gabe Pruitt: Improving PG skills, is a streaky shooter, but worth the pick for the Celtics.
verall grade for Boston C-
 
Indiana- Stanko Barac: He is a project that needs to add weight, but has some solid skills, a few years away from playing.
Overall grade for Indiana C-
 
Orlando- Milovan Rakovic: A hard worker, has quickness and nice ball handling skills for a forward.
Overall grade for Orlando D+
 
Toronto- Giorgos Printezis: Stand still shooter, aggressive on the boards, good strength and athleticism.
Overall grade for Toronto D+