So why was Oden a "once in a generation prospect" while Drummond is not even a top 5 pick? Drummond is just as big as Oden, has and tested with a higher vertical jump and lane agility
Because Oden put up way better stats while playing with a cast on his right hand in college? He was also bigger and MUCH stronger.
Because they're being assessed for their ability to play basketball? Because Drummond gets bullied by Thomas Robinson in workouts. Can you imagine what would've happened if Robinson tried that shit with Oden?
Oden was a bit better offensivly, but he was raw as well. Both Oden and Drummond relied got their offense from put backs and overpowering their man inside. And are sure Oden was so much more powerful? Drummond looks a lot thicker than Oden was in college (20+ pounds heavier). They are similar in their rebounding/shot blocking prowess. Also, Drummond had one of the top lane agility tests in the draft, for a 7ft 275 pound guy, that shows incredible athletic ability.
I take your "Drummond is worth the risk" and raise you "Sullinger is worth the risk" Sullinger may be gimpy but he's already proved he can play. Drummond is healthy but can't play.
Just want to point out Drummond grabbed 7.6 rpg. People talking about his "rebounding prowess" need to take a step back. He has all of the physical attributes, but the mental question marks are too much for me. I'd rather have a guy with less talent that overachieves. Give me an MKG or Robinson (pleeeeease Robinson) any day.
He has a great ability to rebound but its his boxing out that has lead to a low rebound rate. From what scouts say he has no idea how to play team BBall.
I wouldn't believe anyone that said Drummond was the same player Oden was at the end of their respective freshman years in college. Oden was among the 2-3 best center prospects to come out of college in the last ten years. If he'd been able to stay healthy (obviously an irrelevant hypothetical now), he almost definitely would've been a Top 5 NBA center for years. Setting aside the health questions (which hopefully can be set aside!), and Drummond has more questions. His motivation is very questionable, his offensive arsenal isn't where Oden's was, and Oden shot better from the foul line with his bad hand than Drummond has done. Oden's desire only became questionable after repeated season-ending injuries, which would probably demoralize anyone in Oden's situation. Drummond's is questioned out of the gate. Drummond has more holes in his game than Oden did at a similar age, and it sounds like Drummond has less motivation to actually fill them. Not a good combination. High risk, high reward. Don't know if Olshey's a gambling man...
Oden could have been that dominant big man. Robinson, Hakeem, Shaq, Howard, Duncan, etc. He had the physique, the current ability, and the potential to continue to develop as a pro. Drummond has the build and the potential. At his current state, I don't know that he has the ability to step in and perform immediately like the above had. So he has to grow as a player quickly - I've heard enough about him recently that makes me worry, and I've been a big Drummond fan.
I'm sick of the "you can't teach size" argument. That's the thinking that got Enes Kanter (#3) and Bismack Biyombo (#7) drafted in the top 10 last season. Get basketball players, not unskilled stiffs that measure well at the combine.
It's not like POR has a good history of drafting PG either..... Denny's post couldn't be more true from either perspective (C or PG)....Stay away from both and just draft a wing player...
Come on, don't be a stoop. Drummond is a tremendous athlete. Smaller, lighter players are typically more agile and do perform better in this test. Most guys around his size score more near 12 seconds.
