I know... sorry I offend you all. He is the greatest thing since sliced bread... But what he can do that DHoward can not do? They are of almost same height, strength level, ... This may irrate you guys more, but I am not sold that he is going to be better than Yao...
well, he's actually a much better low post defender and a much better shot blocker than howard is. howard's offensive game relies mostly on dunks and put backs. oden actually has a dependable hook shot with both hands and his low post moves are a bit more developed than howard's at the same point in their careers.
Scouts have never been wrong about a Center that they have labelled as a future great for so long (since Oden was in Middle School basically.) Guys like Kandiman and Kwame received none of the accolades from such an early age and weren't even consensus number 1 picks. Durant might be the hometown guy to some here and is going to be a future All-Star, but anyone who doesn't select Oden when they have the chance is making a mistake. You'll see some polemics sprouting garbage regarding Oden to separate themselves from the crowd, but just remember that no team has ever done themselves wrong by picking up a universally regarded franchise center.
Dwight Howard ain't exactly crappy - but anyway he's a little shorter and not the kind of natural shot blocker that Odom seems to be.
I don't know if he could've done the things that Howard did in the slam dunk comtest. They're pretty different players, imo. I'm a big Durant fan, but you gotta take Oden. He has an nba body. Long ass arms, ugly as hell.
My true worry is how good he will when compte with Yao... I hope next year, we don't end up losing first round to Portland...
Dwight is more physically built and explosive, but he is a relatively poor shotblocker for his level of athleticism(Never over 2 a game? Ridiculous) and doesn't have a post game at all. Oden has a nice hook with both hands, hits free throws better, is nearly 3 inches taller, and has ridiculous timing on his blocked shots. Think Emeka Okafor shotblocking but with a lot more reach and height. Dwight may be the prototype PF playing center, but Oden is a prototype center.
Yao has trouble defending players with a little bit of range since he is almost always slower than they're, which means if he trys to play the shot, he will be driven on (Z doesn't have the same affect since he really doesn't have the handles and the speed to go by Yao if Yao contests his shot). Oden doesn't seem to have that perimeter game (though he prolly wont need it).
I'm a yao fan, but i gotta be unbiased here. I think oden will be better than yao, but not next year as yao is nearing his prime. But in like 3 to 4 years, yes I think so.
i dont see how. defensively, of course he should be better. he's more athletic and mobile. offensively? if his hook shot isnt falling, he has to resort to dunks and putbacks. no way he can put up 20+ points just on dunks and putbacks. he's a relatively poor free throw shooter as well, probably will be around 60%
thorpe averaged 20 for one season. amare is much more athletic and explosive. he can handle the ball, and he's added a jumpshot to his repitoire. not to mention he plays in an offense that opens the lanes for him to dunk alot.
It'll happen in a few years but what's tough to say is whether it would be because of Oden's rise or Yao's decline (assuming if it happens within the next four years or so.) And I don't think he'll be a 20 point scorer entering the league though he'll come close through putbacks and gimmes alone, but some of you are not giving him proper due on his footwork in the post which is pretty good for a guy that young. During the times that he was matched up 1 on 1 with Hibbert, a guy who's easily NBA size and strength, he never appeared lost or overwhelmed and pulled some good moves that would carry him through in the NBA. Plus, this guy's ability to explode vertically is Shaq like.... He really carries all that size and weight like it's nothing.
At offensive end, Yao will be blocked a lot by Oden but Oden can't stop Yao, at defensive end, Oden's offence won't make a lot trouble for Yao unless he could develop his mid-range shooting like Boozer. In the paint Yao can hold himself well with those traditional centers like Shaq and Duncan. Oden won't be a big force in the league at least in a couple of years although he may be a top 5 shot blocker already, but he couldn't dominate NCAA right now let alone NBA. After that no one knows what will happen. It is meanless to compare Yao and Oden, when Oden will reach his prime if he could, Yao will be preparing to quit this league.
Alonzo Mourning is who I think also, but I think he's more athletic. I think his highest potential is patrick ewing. he just doesn't have the intensity or overall athletic skill, such as footwork, to be like Akeem. I this point, I still think I would take howard, although I agree with those who believe howard should be a better defender given his athleticism.
