<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When it's all said and done though, they're both future stars, and you can dissect their games or their statistics all you want, but the fact of the matter is that big men are more valuable than wings. Players like Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan, and Moses Malone (bigs who Oden's compared to) win titles, not players like Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, and Alex English (wings who McGrady's compared to). </div> that's true and normally I am one that says "take the big man", BUT Durant may be one of those rare cases (Jordan, Magic,etc.) where you say maybe we shouldn't take the big man...
Durant is hard to compare too. Just like how Marvin was when he came out. But Durant is on other Level. if i had to Compare and would say Tracy Macgrady with Gerald Wallace Reb Skills.Durant is gonna be great in his first NBA Year for sure just like i believe Chris Paul was gonna be great no matter when he went to the draft (from 2003 04 or 05) lol but after all that il take Oden becuase if i was a GM, its easier to find some thing close to Durant then Oden. its like Durant Is Kobe but u can allways find some one like Joe Johnson who is not Kobe but Joe Johnson and some one like David Robinson is better than just Kobe and like.... Popeye Jones
Durant is extremely hard to copmpare to anyone. Bill Simmons wrote a piece regarding Oden and Durant, and basically said Durant is something new, something we've never experienced or seen, which I completely agree with. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bill Simmons:</div><div class="quote_post">Dickie V compared his scoring prowess to Bob McAdoo, but Durant has more range on his jumper, longer arms and more athletic ability (McAdoo got his 30 every night on jumpers and pull-up drives when that's only part of KD's arsenal). The more I'm thinking about it, we haven't seen anyone approaching Durant before -- seriously, a 6-9 shooting guard with a 7-5 wingspan who's still growing??? -- so we probably shouldn't play the "he reminds me of …" game with him. Maybe you can see pieces of various guys in his overall game, like KG (body type), McAdoo (scoring ability), T-Mac (ability to get to the rim with either hand), Plastic Man (the long arms), Hakeem (the ludicrous falling-out-of-bounds fallaway), Wade (competitiveness) and even C-Webb (the innate passing gene). But those are just pieces. He's an original prototype. It's like seeing the first Model-T car or the first Apple computer. Anyway, when Chad Ford wrote that Oden had more upside than Durant last week, we had a lively e-mail exchange about it, with my basic point being, "Look, Oden has a chance to be one of the best five centers ever ... Durant has a chance to be one of the best FIVE PLAYERS ever" and Chad qualifying his point by discussing overall impact on a team (if you draft Oden, you're more likely to win a title because franchise centers invariably win titles … well, unless they're Patrick Ewing). We could go round and round on this, and over the next few months, we probably will. All I know is that MJ was the last guy since Wilt to crack 37 a game in the pros … and Kevin Durant will be joining him in 5-6 years if he stays healthy. That's not even hyperbole. I don't see anyone stopping him. But will his rebounding/shotblocking catch up to the rest of his game? And will his teams ultimately win? Those are the looming questions.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/...08&name=simmons That's the link to the whole blog/entry/article. It's lengthy but an interesting, nice read.
Bill Simmons is addicted to exaggeration. I mean, the dude's having an incredible college season and we're already inducting him into the Hall of Fame? He's acting like Durant is the first player to not have an accurate comparison.
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No, he's right. Durant has been averaging 33 ppg and 14 rpg in Big 12 play, which is really more important than non-conference play.</div> Oh right, I thought he was talking about overall, my bad. I dont understand why columnists and so called experts are so intent on comparing these guys to other players, basketball is the same basic premise for everyone, get the ball in the hoop. Just let these guys be who they are, make their own name instead of putting these huge expectations on them before they've even decided wether or not to declare for the draft, comparing them to former greats is just ridiculous. Let Kevin Durant be Kevin Durant, let Greg Oden be Greg Oden.
Wade has been better than LeBron this year and last year (title and Finals MVP). If you're in a 100% rebuilding situation, you should pick Oden. But when you already have a solid or good big man, it's obvious that you would pick Durant. Can't go wrong with both of them, though.
It depends what kind of a team you have. For Boston i would pick Oden but for example as a Orlando or Raptors GM i would take Durant. Still i think that Oden would be a bit better.
Most people would go for Oden, but personally i would draft Durant over Oden. He is a better scorer, but Oden has better defense than he does.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Durant > Jordan.....</div> Wait, in what? Do you think he will get two if not than one 3-peat? You're probably referring to skill...I think you're pushing it. I wish the Rockets had this season last year, and last season this year so we could have a chance at drafting one of these prospects. Durant would be my first choice because he has potential to be like T-Mac/Nowitzki(with D) plus the Longhorns are my favorite NCAA team.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wait, in what? Do you think he will get two if not than one 3-peat? You're probably referring to skill...I think you're pushing it. I wish the Rockets had this season last year, and last season this year so we could have a chance at drafting one of these prospects. Durant would be my first choice because he has potential to be like T-Mac/Nowitzki(with D) plus the Longhorns are my favorite NCAA team.</div> Your sarcasm detector needs fixing.
Little off-topic here, but how crazy is Durant's wingspan. I remember them talking about Wright having a 7'5" wingspan and it got me thinking of how long Durant's must be. Everytime I see the guy play, his long-ass arms always stick out to me lol. Anyone know the measurements on this guy?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Your sarcasm detector needs fixing</div> No.....I'm serious.......35 > 23....it's basic mathematics......
i say durant..hes versatile and got alot of talent and skill..oden is good too but i would put my money on durant. i think durant is one of the best freshman to come around for a long time. everyone expected oden to be godly and all that but he hasnt while durant has been amazing. id love to see him win a title carmelo style.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No.....I'm serious.......35 > 23....it's basic mathematics......</div> Lol oh man That is a a true forum Entertainter (hope i spell that right) Ay dont sleep on Brandon Wright and this Oden and Durant talk
I think a freshman that is getting overlooked is Thaddeus Young from GTech. I think after Oden and Durant, he could be the best player in the draft IMO.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think a freshman that is getting overlooked is Thaddeus Young from GTech. I think after Oden and Durant, he could be the best player in the draft IMO.</div> Word. I got my eye on Thaddeus Young too. He reminds me alot of Tayshaun Prince for some reason.
