He's dominant defensively. He still has a lot of work to do offensively. He's a lot like Dwight Howard right now
Take away all the hype that comes from ESPN and all you have is a good defensive player surrouned by talented teammates who really dosnt stand out. 14 pts and 9 rebounds a game simply does not seem worthy of the number one pick when you have Durant waiting in the wings, assuiming they both come out (wouldnt it be funny if they both stayed...lol). However, Oden is as unknown a quantity as any top prospect. He seems promising in theory, but can you really pass on the best player in the nation for someone who might be able to score consitantly in a couple years?
I did not say he was a bust, just I don't see him as the number 1 pick. Durant, IMHO will be the better player... DD
I wouldn't pass on Durant. I don't think there's any way he doesn't become a superstar. Oden has already been hurt and isn't developed offensively (and there's no telling how well he will). With KD you know what you're getting
Oden needs to stay in college for another year or two to work on his game, and then he'll be ready to be a No.1 overall pick and prime time. However, with millions of guaranteed money on the line, I don't think he'll stay.
If you just mean they are similar, then fine. But Oden hasn't shown me he can be as good as Dwight Howard. Howard is a monster in the NBA. He is a human vacuum on the boards. Oden is so physically dominant over college players I can't tell how well it will translate in the NBA. I want to see OSU match up with Florida to see if Horford pushes him around like a rag doll again.
The few games I've watched Oden play I have been very impressed. His defensive ability alone will instantly make him a major force to be reckoned with in the NBA. He is very much a Bill Russell like defensive monster. I think he is comparable to a young freshman Akeem Olajuwon, major defensive presence, physically gifted, tremendous footwork and raw on the offensive end. But there is no doubt that he has shown flashes of dominance and give him a couple of years in the NBA game with some good coaching and he will definently be among the top 5 centers in the league.
Oden had surgery on his wrist 9 months ago. He shot free throws with his left hand longer than necessary because he didn't want to switch during the season, but he eventually did go back to his right hand. I don't think the wrist is limiting him anymore. He's doesn't have a good offensive game and he might never develop one. No one can say for certain, either way. If I was a gm, I would be really hesitant to take him over a player that is 3 inches shorter and a threat to score from anywhere on the court. It will be alot easier for Durant to put on some more weight than it will be for Oden to develop good low post moves.
I also don't think Oden is anywhere close to as agile as Olajuwon was. Hakeem was raw because he was from Africa and played soccer instead of basketball as a kid. He'd only been playing for a couple of year before he got to UH. Oden has been playing basketball his entire life.
Oden is the next Alonzo Mourning, a dominant defensive player in the paint, with limited offensive game. But his defensive game is so superior that it makes him a great player, just like Alonzo. And his size and athleticism will make him more than adequate offensively. He probably will never be the man offensively on any team, that is to say, the guy that you go to when you need to have a basket. He'll never be a guy that you spread the floor with shooters and let him take his man one on one like Shaq does. But he will get more than his share on the offensive glass and putbacks, trailing on the pick and roll, and other plays designed to get him the ball near the hoop in a position to turn and finish. Defensively, whatever team he is on in the NBA would be best served to funnel their opponents to him, just like the Rox used to do with Hakeem. Offensively, he will do best when paired with at least one dominant offensive player that he can play second fiddle to.
I fully agree that Durant is the more skilled/talented player, but Oden represents that ultra rare chance at a franchise center. The history of the NBA shows that having a dominant post player goes together with winning far more often than with a dominant wing man. Look at Ewing's Knicks, Duncan or Admiral's Spurs, our time with Dream, or even Malone's Jazz versus Kobe struggling to keep the Lakers over 0.500, AI's slippery grip on postseason visits, Paul Pierce's Celtics, Dominique's Hawks, Vince Carter, etc, etc. I'm not suggesting it's a hard and fast rule at all (Jordan, etc). Just that if you wanted to have a dynasty, drafting a Shaq or a Yao may get you further along than a Carmelo. Even if that actual talent doesn't line up. Oden, whom I highly suspect has been on HGH for a good while, has that look of a dominant guy that can establish a franchise. Durant's phenomenal, and will sell more tix and get more ASG votes, but I wouldn't blindly expect him to lead a franchise to glory. Evan
