Oden will not be able to out muscle guys in the NBA, Durant already has more skills than most guys in the NBA. Durant in a landslide !! DD
I would like to think that I would rather have my 7'+ center throwing it down, and emphatically, no less, than having him lay the ball off the glass when he's 6 inches away.
So, from all that I've heard Oden is a fairly level headed guy, not a drama queen and or anything, and a solid teammate. What I don't see from Oden is a constant fire. He was up for this game, and he was a MONSTER, but he can just as easily disappear. That bothers me. Durant has been just sick all year, and yet by all accounts still a team player.
I think the game that is more indicative of Oden's ability is the Georgia game where he was matched up to someone of equal size and power. He was not very impressive at all, in fact I thought he was outplayed for majority of the game. He is still pretty much a question mark. As for Durant. I think he will be better than Tracy when it is all said and done. He has one of the most complete skill sets I have seen in a 18 year old. I would dare say he is ahead of the curve in terms of his game when compared to other phenoms such as Kobe, KG, Lebron. I think Carmelo is really the only player that is comparable in regards to similar skill set.
Durant isnt like Tmac at all, other then the ability to get a jump shot over anybody. I've seen most Rocket games since Tmac got here and every Texas game this year, and Durant really is not that much like McGrady. Tmac is way more explosive and handles the ball really well, can use both hands, etc. Durant is longer and lankier, more consistant jump shot and is much more effective inside, posting people up. If anything, Durant is a shorter, way more athletic version of Dirk.
Oden's going number 1 no matter what after last nights game. People will always remember the last thing you did. To me Oden looks like a taller version of Dwight Howard, so their ceilings will probably be similar. Its too bad the soft zone + no hand check rule (easy penatration) will probably cause premier centers to underdevelop their post game. I mean why bother working on post moves when you can center your offense around guards driving and dishing for the easy dunk. Yao has managed to stay effective because of his great shooting, height, and touch around the basket. As for Durant, he'll be even more of a monster offensively in the NBA with the no full zone rule and once he fills his frame. I can easily see him scoring 30 a game 2-3 years from now assuming he's the main option on a team.
Robinson was not that great. At least in comparison to Shaq or Hakeem. He was a nuce guy and quite atheltic in his own way. Just did not have the core strength to be a really great center, though he worked out like crazy.
what does that have to do with anything? are you equating durant to tmac? they are built the same but they are not the same players. don't be so simplistic in your analysis.
I largely agree, though Durant handles better than Dirk and is a more advancd player than Dirk was at 18.
I am not all that impressed. He looks disinterested at times. He is very young, but he is very big and athletic. Durant is a lock to be a superstar in the NBA. Oden might turn out to be another Kandyman.
Didn't watch the game, but I think Horford outplayed oden earlier. Oden seems to play really rough, not dirty, but getting there. He will never touch Hakeem as far as offense; he's too stiff. I also wish y'all would give up on the one hand thing. He pulls himself up on the rim with both hands frequently.
Depends on what you're referring to. Team success? Yeah probably because as of now, T-Mac has no playoff series wins. But then again, barring a trade, Durant will be stuck with Memphis or Boston. Who knows. I doubt Memphis is going to win a playoff series in the West even with Durant/Gasol. And Paul Pierce and Durant play the same position, i'm interested in seeing how that will work out. Career PPG? Maybe. T-Mac has been scarred by 3 dud years in Toronto bringing his PPG down to like 22.4 a game when since Toronto but after that it's up around 27-28. Maybe Durant has the same fate. Maybe he goes to a team that doesn't use his potential right away, but I doubt that would happen. But I don't see Durant to be the youngest player to ever lead the league in scoring (which T-Mac was) and to be the youngest player since Bob McAdoo to average 30 (which T-Mac was) and I don't see him leading the league in scoring consecutive years (that early in his career, which T-Mac did). But Durant seems to be very mature early so you never know.
Horford finished the game w/ 18pts 12 rbs. All the hard dunks Oden had seems to have skewed everyone's perception of the game. Not to take anything away from Oden, he's definitely a gamer and I felt bad for him because he was playing his heart out but the rest of OSU was simply outclassed. But I still don't understand all the calls on the Florida bigs. Half the fouls were off the ball while trying to establish position, and it didn't look out of the ordinary to me. And every call went one way. Funny considering Oden gets in early foul trouble every other game. I think it handcuffed the Gators a bit when they got in foul trouble early. I'm not saying this would've affected Oden's stat line much. He probably would've got his points one way or another. But the way the refs blew the whistle everytime someone touched Oden was a bit much.
Robinson was great dude. I know Hakeem made him his biach and everything, but let's not knock the admiral too much.
Oden is 7'1'' 280 lbs and he is a frickin 18 yr old kid, and already can free thows a a decent clip right OR left handed, already showing more shooting ability than Shaq. Oden >>> Durant
