Seriously. I probably watched him play 20+ games for the Blazers. I was impressed with his size and athleticism, but he didn't seem very skilled. I saw him in college and he looked like a man among boys. it was hard to see any real skills; similarly they raved about Tyson Chandler who was a giant among boys in HS. Durant was going to be the next Kobe Bryant. The guy was big for a SG/SF, has tremendous wing skills, and was a top defender, and blocked 2 shots per game. If the Blazers drafted him, they'd have had a front court of Durant, ZBo, LMA, and Joel. And Roy at SG. Take away Durant and ZBo and add Oden and it's not as good a lineup.
You're still ignoring the fact he was never healthy. Shipping out Zach and letting Aldridge grow has proven to be the right move. Can't argue that one at all. It also put Roy in the leadership role and the #1 on the team. Having Zach on the team hurts both, especially the immature Zach and not the one that took a few years to get himself together that showed up in Memphis. The Blazers made the right moves when it comes to building a championship roster. They even eventually ended up with Batum at SF. Health is the only reason it was derailed. PG Roy Batum Aldridge Oden My god
In his last 7 full games he averaged 15.5/9 in 26 minutes per game This was when he was at his absolute healthiest in the NBA Pretending like Oden wasn't going to be a force is foolish. Health is the only reason he's not at least as good as Dwight Howard right now.
A guy who is never health (or never WAS) cannot be the game changer you claim he is. In fact, I feel it hurt his development as a basketball player, by the time he was drafted. I saw him in college and he was in a cast. I saw him in the pros and he looked like the 2nd coming of Dikembe Mutombo to me. And you can argue shipping out Zach. He is hurt this season, but was an all-star caliber talent. Aldridge should have been the C in that lineup, and durant and zbo ideally complement him.
He averaged a whopping 9/7 for his career. Howard averaged 12/10 for his first 82 games. Oden averaged 11/9 for his second season. Howard averaged 15/12. Next you'll be telling me Batum is better than Durant.
People often made comparisons like that but they are misguided. It's not as bad as the Ben Wallace comparisons, but it's up there. He was a headache for coaches in the years after he left the Blazers. Two teams later he finally put it together for the Grizzlies, and good for him. And as much as people want it to happen, Aldridge isn't a center. He's said numerous times he doesn't view himself as a center, nor does he want to play that position regularly.
Dwight Howard put those numbers up in 37min per game. Oden put up 11/9 in 23min per game. The only thing holding Oden back at that point was foul trouble, but that would have worked itself out. Sorry, nice try. And besides, again, the first season was mostly a wash as it takes two years to fully recover from MF surgery and at the point he was only at 1 year.
Might make the Hall of Fame? He's a two-time scoring champ that is a game away from 9k points for his career. He's 23 years old. Barring some sort of fluke tragedy, Durant's a lock already for the Hall of Fame, and even then, he may make it based on his incredible start to his career.
Just for the argument, Oden's Per 36 was 16.7pts/G and 12.8reb/G with 3.4 blk/G I don't view Per 36 as some great stat, but it does give you an idea of his productivity level, and it's right there with Dwight's second season.
He's never put up 15/12, and possibly never will. Dwight Howard is in the discussion for MVP. There is no comparison. For your sake and the sake of my friends on this board, I wish it were different.
Durant has led his team to a WCF. McGrady never won even a first-round series. McGrady had one incredible season at age 23. Of course, it took a 35.2 USG rate to get him there, and it wasn't enought to even win a series for him. Still, it was a great season. Too bad he never came close to it again.
Well obviously there is no comparison as Oden's career hits new lows with each passing month. If he had stayed healthy the comparisons would be there. That said, to get back to my original point, Oden had the potential to impact the game just as much as Durant has. He's just never been healthy enough, nor will he ever at this point to do so. No one will argue that.
Good thing players are given 6 fouls per game Like I said in the post, I don't view Per 36 as some great statistic. It does give you an idea of how productive he could have been, though.
incredible start to his career? should mcgrady make it for the incredible start to his? you could make the exact same argument for mcgrady at age 23, in fact more so, since he was having a better career at that point, putting up a higher per, higher winshares/48, higher rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and less turnovers/36, WITH A LOWER USAGE RATE, not to mention a higher PER in the playoffs and then his age 23 season is completely bonkers. completely btw, as of yesterday, mcgrady has a higher career per than durant! show me a player on that magic team that played even half a season with a per higher than 15, while durant had 3 other starters over 15 that played all 82 games, including westbrook, who matched his 23.6 per you seem to think that the hall of fame is a lock for him, but it doesnt always turn out that way. although i think mcgrady will eventually make it in
lol. Another stat you post when it works in your favor. I've brought up Batum's Per 36 in the past and you mocked me.
Show me Also realize I even said in my own post that I don't view it as some great stat Looks like I mocked myself then Sigh............................................
