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Sporting News: new generation of big men for the mantle of NBA's best center

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by tracymingreedy, Dec 12, 2006.

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  1. tracymingreedy

    tracymingreedy Contributing Member

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    The two people in the NBA who probably are least caught up in comparing Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming are Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming. But the pair has been compared since Yao entered the league, at a time when it looked as though the heyday of the modern center was fading. Yao says there is no comparison: "He is still the best, no question." Shaq says he has other things to worry about: "It does not motivate me."

    No matter. Shaq is 34 and hurting, which means it won't be long before Yao is battling a new generation of big men for the mantle of NBA's best center.
    1. Dwight Howard, Magic.
    Howard will turn 21 on Friday, a frightening prospect for the rest of the league. Howard already is averaging 17.2 points and 13.7 rebounds. He needs to hone his post moves but has a developed body and is fast becoming a dominant force.
    2. Greg Oden, Ohio State.
    He's the surefire No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Heck, he would have been the No. 1 pick in the past two drafts if it weren't against the rules. He's a tremendous athlete who can block shots, rebound and run the floor. League personnel people figure his potential ranges from perennial All-Star to Hall of Famer.
    3. Andris Biedrins, Warriors.
    Unchained from the Golden State bench at 20 years old, Biedrins is a 7-footer who rebounds and finishes around the rim with raw power. He is averaging 11.4 points and 9.9 rebounds and is shooting 65.1 percent from the field. That's mostly because he relies on the dunk as his chief weapon. When he learns to make hook shots and gains some semblance of a jumper, he will be an All-Star.
    4. Andrew Bynum, Lakers.
    Bynum's progress has come only in flashes -- 20 points and 14 rebounds against the Timberwolves; 12 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against the Bulls -- but those flashes have Lakers fans salivating. At 19, it may be three years or more before Bynum approaches Yao's level, but the physical tools are there.
    -- Sean Deveney

    http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=157047

    What do you think about these green hens? Do you think they are capable to chanllenge Yao?

    I don't knwo the Greg Oden guy.Is he good?
     
    #1 tracymingreedy, Dec 12, 2006
  2. jdrock

    jdrock Member

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    If you are only considering true centers, Howard and Oden are probably the only two individuals that will challenge Yao.

    Unless Howard develops a nice array of post moves, I don't think he will ever seriously challenge Yao. Oden has the potential to do so but he's still raw.

    But to be honest, who cares who the best "center" is? The blur between power forward and center is so wide now that all that matters is who the best big man is. And then you start including the likes of Amare, Duncan, Dirk, KG, etc., and it becomes a tough debate.

    And to answer your question - yes, Oden is that good.
     
    #2 jdrock, Dec 12, 2006
  3. superfob

    superfob Mommy WOW! I'm a Big Kid now.

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    Well, I would go head and say that Yao is the best post player in the game. I don't think anyone in the league will touch him for a long time.

    Think about it, KG, Duncan, Dirk are highly rated because of versitility (face up drive, outside shooting) but those aren't post moves. Amare, Howard, Oden for speed/power at the position (dunks, fast breaks) but aren't known for their post moves either.

    Brand and Duncan are probably the best 2nds for ability in the post.
     
    #3 superfob, Dec 12, 2006
  4. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    bynum has been developing very well i think by the end of next season he can easily be in the conversion as one of the league up and coming stars. the only problem is that i think the more bynum progresses the more likely odom will be moved.

    oden has been a beast the guy is so long and athletic i caught some of the osu game and he simply dwarfed the competition. i can easily see him coming in and averaging a double double off the bat his rookie year. the biggest issue with him will be his FT which he needs to improve big time
     
    #4 The_Yoyo, Dec 12, 2006
  5. choujie

    choujie Member

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    NY fans will be pissed.
     
    #5 choujie, Dec 12, 2006
  6. stangend77

    stangend77 Member

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    BOUT TIME YAO GOT SOME RESPECT!!!!! :D
     
    #6 stangend77, Dec 12, 2006
  7. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    I definitely see Howard challenging Yao eventually, even without developing much finesse on offense. If Howard ever develops nifty moves and a shooting touch, he will be awesome. I don't think he will.

    Bynum has shown only flashes. He still has a lot to prove since it's only his 2nd season. I haven't seen enough of Oden and Biedrins.
     
    #7 A_3PO, Dec 12, 2006
  8. Kindger

    Kindger Contributing Member

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    Steve Kerr: WTF? Where is my boy Chris Kaman?!
     
    #8 Kindger, Dec 12, 2006
  9. krosfyah

    krosfyah Contributing Member

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    Oden is on this list and he hasn't step foot on an NBA court? Nice. :confused:
     
    #9 krosfyah, Dec 12, 2006
  10. Hayesfan

    Hayesfan Contributing Member

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    Greg Oden seems to be a mature kid, and he definately has the body and talent to be really really good.

    As to if he should be on this list.. let him at least get here before counting him as a challenger.

    He's the starting center for Ohio State. (likely a one and out)
     
    #10 Hayesfan, Dec 12, 2006
  11. crooklyn3

    crooklyn3 Member

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    Oden can only dunk. He won't dominate at the NBA level the way he does now.
     
    #11 crooklyn3, Dec 12, 2006
  12. jdrock

    jdrock Member

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    Not sure if this is a joke or not, but Kaman is nowhere near the level of Yao. He gets schooled every time.

    Bynum may become a decent player, but I doubt he is ever seriously considered among the top big men.
     
    #12 jdrock, Dec 12, 2006
  13. sbyang

    sbyang Member

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    Greg Oden will be the next great challenger to Yao Ming. They're going to have some great battles in their career, especially if Oden goes to Memphis.
     
    #13 sbyang, Dec 12, 2006
  14. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    LMAO where's curry, dampier, and kaman?

    only idiots put those 3 in the talk of best centers. kerr and curry need thier heads checked.
     
    #14 smoothie, Dec 12, 2006
  15. wreck

    wreck Contributing Member

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    steve kerr is a joke...
     
    #15 wreck, Dec 12, 2006
  16. wreck

    wreck Contributing Member

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    Eric Dampier-"Hey this guy mispelled my name, its E-r-i-c, not Y-A-O. I'm sure its just a typo, since I am the second most dominating center in the league"
     
    #16 wreck, Dec 12, 2006
  17. tracymingreedy

    tracymingreedy Contributing Member

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    Comments posted by other ppl

    "Amen. I especially enjoy the silence from all of those "experts" who questioned Yao's supposed lack of aggression and competiveness. Controlled and effective has always worked for Timmy.
    "

    "On a related note, Eric Dampier has just proclaimed himself to be the best center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area."

    :eek: :)
     
    #17 tracymingreedy, Dec 12, 2006
  18. J-Wolf

    J-Wolf Member

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    I've seen some highlight of Oden. That guy is a pure beast, 7 footer and can jump as high as Amare. He is like a young Shaq and even faster. Yao is going to have a tough time defending him.

    Looking forward to seeing the titan clashes.
     
    #18 J-Wolf, Dec 12, 2006
  19. tracymingreedy

    tracymingreedy Contributing Member

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    WOW :eek: I don't know he is that good. I should check out some of his game in college BB.
     
    #19 tracymingreedy, Dec 12, 2006
  20. crooklyn3

    crooklyn3 Member

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    Not that good. Just a dunker. His size allows him to dominate but there are bigger guys in the NBA.
     
    #20 crooklyn3, Dec 12, 2006
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