oden is not ready for the nba yet

[Kori Ellis]

Of course, he's going to have some off games because of his hand and because he's human, but he's awesome. In the NBA, he's going to be a defensive monster.

[RC's Boss]

Of course, he's going to have some off games because of his hand and because he's human, but he's awesome. In the NBA, he's going to be a defensive monster.

Yeah, but you know as well as I do, defense b/c of size or agility can take you only so far. It's about being in your set at the right time. Rasho is much better on D than Howard (except for rebounding), but can't jump 2 ft and blocks .2 shots per game (not true stats just me being an ass)

[Kobulingam]

Bogut was the main one I was thinking of. While he fills a role on a team, i think in retrospect he was not top 5 material. I see what you're saying, I just think he should wait one more year given how paranoid some of these GM's are when a player doesn't post 18 and 10 their 1st season. Kendrick perkins on the Celtics went to high school w/ my brother and he was a MONSTER in H.S., but imagine how good he would've been had he went to college. Also Bosh ate him up in some tournement or something before they were drafted. He was good back then, but now he's avg. and could possibly be traded. If he would have gotten 2 years in college (unfortunately Texas high schools mainly produce track and football stars, my high school center was 6'6 while my cousin in Detroit had a frontline of 6'7, 6'9, and 6'11!), imagine the possiblities of his game advancing going up against top NCAA compe ion. For every D. Howard, there is a K. Perkins (or 3 or 123) out there. I'll say this, if his parents aren't in jail like Amare's mom, or living in a crack infested housing project, he should stay one more year.

Dwight Howard is a tad overrated too. He has no outside game whatsoever, and don't tell me it's takes longer than 2 years in the NBA to develop SOME EVIDENCE of an outside game.

Bosh is the real deal. He's putting the Raptors on his shoulders and taking them to the #2 or #1 seed in the East.


Had we offered Manu after his peak season for Bosh raptors would have accepted that trade. We can still get him for Manu+Parker.

[RC's Boss]

Dwight Howard is a tad overrated too. He has no outside game whatsoever, and don't tell me it's takes longer than 2 years in the NBA to develop SOME EVIDENCE of an outside game.

Bosh is the real deal. He's putting the Raptors on his shoulders and taking them to the #2 or #1 seed in the East.


Had we offered Manu after his peak season for Bosh raptors would have accepted that trade. We can still get him for Manu+Parker.

NOOOO! Parker is untouchable unless said player's last name is Paul!

[RC's Boss]

I don't think the Raptors would do that now anyway...

[Darkwaters]

Irregardless is not a word.

And neither is "normalcy". But since President Harding used it in a speech it is commonly accepted.

[Solid D]

And neither is "normalcy". But since President Harding used it in a speech it is commonly misused.

corrected.

[ducks]

pretty bad to have a off day on national tv facing the number 2 team in the nation

[Bob Lanier]

Oden's physique doesn't impress me; nor does his rebounding.

I have a sneaking su ion that he could be the next Kandiman.

[ShoogarBear]

Irrespective of your post and regardless of your choice to acknowledge the term "irregardless" as a commonly used word to accentuate the meaning of the two previously mentioned terms, I will continue to use words that may not be considered appropriate according to your standards but are commonly understood and accepted in casual conversation. The last time I checked, the purpose of this forum had to do with the San Antonio Spurs, not English Grammar School.

You sure do think that you are the local authority on what this forum has to do with and what should be posted where, I'll grant you that.

[Darkwaters]

Oden's physique doesn't impress me; nor does his rebounding.

I have a sneaking su ion that he could be the next Kandiman.

I doubt we're talking about that big of a flop. But it wouldn't surprise me if he has been way overhyped and simply becomes a solid center instead of a dominant center.

[E20]

Oden would be a moron to leave college after this year. If I were Oden I'd stay for the full 4 years, maybe even 5.

The man gets so much pussy probably. He's probably banging some hot white chick as I'm typing this. He gets it every night, now that I guarantee.

[Dre_7]

Also, we lost our best post defender to a nasty elbow dislocation and/or break in the early 1st half. So Oden was goin against our second tier defenders.

[AFBlue]

You sure do think that you are the local authority on what this forum has to do with and what should be posted where, I'll grant you that.

I don't claim to be an authority. If I was one, I would have closed the thread and advised the person who started the thread to re-post in the appropriate forum; NBA News Central.

Since I'm not an "authority", I just told the thread creator for future reference that there was another forum for general NBA-related issues.

I even went on to state my opinion afterwards, which should tell you that my first comment was meant to be informational. I don't know why you got all bent out of shape about it....

[AFBlue]

Oden's physique doesn't impress me; nor does his rebounding.

I have a sneaking su ion that he could be the next Kandiman.

No one was overly impressed with Olowokandi when he came out. He was just the "best option available" in a weak class.

Oden, however, would have gone #1 last year without a doubt and would still go #1 this year if he chose to declare.

He's 7' and a lean 260 (previously mentioned wrist injury affecting weight lifting), but has the body to bulk up to 285lb and be pure muscle.

He does have alot to work on with his offensive game, but he could step on the court next year and be a top 5 defensive center in the league....his mobility and shot blocking are that good.

Side note: Oden doesn't remind me of Kandiman. Roy Hibbert does....

[50 cent]

I think Durrant is more ready for play in the NBA today. Oden might have more potential in the long run, but it would be hard to pass on Durant.

[AFBlue]

I think Durrant is more ready for play in the NBA today. Oden might have more potential in the long run, but it would be hard to pass on Durant.

Agree that Durant is the better player now, and I'm not totally convinced that Oden will be the better player long-term, but Oden will be the #1 pick if he comes out.

Point in fact, the Chicago GM that drafted MJ was asked if he had been given the #1 spot, who would he have chosen....his answer: Olajuwon

All things being relatively equal, a GM will pick the big guy....

[TDMVPDPOY]

i say he should forfeit the draft, stay one more year, fake an injury, and sign wiht the spurs as undrafted FA

[HeyIt'sMe]

Oden's defense is really good, but I do agree that he gets overrated... IF we are talking about him being the best Center prospect since Kareem, which many considered him coming out of high school. He might of been a better prospect coming out of high school than players like Shaq, Hakeem, D-Rob, etc., but there's a great chance he doesn't end up as good as any of them. I'm not saying he couldn't end up as good as the all-time greats, or possibly better... just that it's highly unlikely. I think the center position is so weak nowadays, people hype him up to an extreme amount.

As for the person who called Howard overrated... I disagree. An outside shot is something that's very teachable and attainable, he just hasn't tried to get one... yet. He said his offseason goal was to add a jump shot to his repitroire, and he plans on hiring a shooting coach to help him. The Magic have purposely told him to lay off learning a jump shot until he developed more of his game. He's done that, and I'll think you'll see him develop a shot in the offseason. I see no reason whatsoever why he can't get one, considering he had a good one coming out of high school.

[Pugglekicker_21]

We will see next season. Can't wait too see a Duncan-Oden matchup. If Dwight Howard is going to develop a shot this offseason, then I'll expect to see his pts avg go up next season.

[Guru of Nothing]

Ireveryone irknows irthat irirregardless iris irreverse irpig-Latin irfor "regardless."

[ajh18]

So just a quick bit of research for those hating on Oden. These are the freshman year stats of three of the best centers to come out of college in the last couple decades (Shaq, Ewing, and Duncan who I'm putting in as a center for the purposes of this comparison). I couldn't find Hakeem right away, but if someone wants to look for his, go for it. I also threw in Bosh as a comparison to another elite big man who came out after just one year in college.

Ewing ('81-'82) 12.7 ppg, 7.5 reb, 3.2 blk, 63.1% fg - in 28.8 min
Shaq ('89-'90) 13.9 ppg, 12.0 reb, 3.6 blk, 57.3% fg - in 28.2 min
Duncan ('93-'94) 9.8 ppg, 9.6 reb, 3.8 blk, 54.5% fg - in 30.2 min
Bosh ('02-'03) 15.6 ppg, 9.0 reb, 2.2 blk, 56.0% fg - in 31.0 min

Oden ('06-'07) 15.3 ppg, 9.5 reb, 3.5 blk, 60.9% fg - in 29.8 min

As you can see, Oden compares just fine to these players, and that's playing with one hand. He averages only behind Bosh in points (by .3ppg) and basically ties Duncan for second place behind Shaq in rebounding. His field goal %, one handed, trails only Ewing. Oden is going to be a monster. Don't let a bad game on tv, or the fact that he's barely getting to showcase what he can really do, lead you to believe otherwise.

[bgantz]

I added in my two cents earlier...but this is a bit of a kneejerk reaction thread if I ever saw one. Oden, a guy who basically came in without a chance to gel with his team after rehabing his wrist, comes in and has to learn on the fly and has carried them through most of Ohio State's games. This wisconsin game was a supbar game for him, but he's the same guy who threw down 24 pts 15 bounds and 3 blocks against a tennessee team that's taking florida over the knee with a belt right now. I think his skill set compares very favorably compared to the skills Chris Bosh had as a freshmen at Gtech and what Dwight Howard had as a rook. Oden hasn't adjusted well yet to the double team and the types of defenses he's seeing right now, but he's getting better. The guy totally changes the game altogether because of what he brings on the defensive end alone.

[ducks]

I like him
I just think one more year would do him alot of good
he is not even comp0letly healthy
in the nba they are more physically then now

[ShoogarBear]

He's not bad for a 37-year old freshman.