What is up with these players named after Japanese dishes? Kobe and Oden? I wonder when Shiitake and Sashimi will enter the NBA.
They sound like pretty normal American names to me unless u pronounce it in a Japanese way lol. Man Dwight Howard is a beast but if only he had a good jumper and/or some post up skills.
I remember Tim Legler saying Oden bulked up to 300 pounds in the off season and that it was mostly muscle. I think this can be a good thing since it means he won't be muscled around, but its also a bad thing given his knee injury and added weight certainly will effect it. He is a freak of nature though, and I think he'll eventually be a 20/10 guy at worst with the possibility of exceeding that. I don't like the hype he's receiving without even logging a minute on the court so its difficult for me to root for him with all the undeserved attention he's getting right now. For every Lebron thats been ordained the next big thing, there's a Harold Miner, Eddie Griffin, Gerald Green and Darius Miles who haven't received nearly the amount of hype that Oden has. This is after having season ending knee surgery no less. Even if he doesn't live up to the hype I respect any athlete that can make it in the league for more than five seasons.
Very good write up. One thing I want to add is that Howard doesn't strike me as a fierce competitor, at least not yet. Oden was playing with a lot of intensity in last year's NCAA tournament. That could completely separate their career achievements if everything else is relatively close. Also, I think Bynum should be in the mix with these two. These three and Yao will revive the center position in the next few years.
Here is Dwight's predraft measurements. 7'4.5 wing span, 35.5 inches vertical, 11.21 lane agility, but only 7 reps for bench press. He must be very weak back then. http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?draft=15&year=All I believe he has grown, which is almost expected for an 18 year old.
Well I wont factor Yao in the equation because he lacks the one fundamental thing that the rest all have.........athletism.
If Yao had athleticism, then there is no equation because Yao would be way better than any of them. We are talking about top centers in league in next few years, Yao certainly belongs in the mix. And in fact he is ahead of the other three right now.
right now....however i think with Yao injuries and the younger players getting more seasoned. Yao will come back to the pack.
