there's really no doubt he has a far better and more advanced offensive game than Greg, even during his first game back from an injury. You really have to give credit to Kareem for developing him the way he has. He's also more of a finesse player than Greg, not really sure if that's a good or bad thing. He even seems more explosive and athletic than Greg at the moment. Which is not surprising considering Greg is coming off of micro surgery. I really think this Summer Greg needs to shed about 20 pounds and work on his offensive game more than anything. I think he can surprise a lot of people if he puts in the work this Summer. By the time Oden is in his 4th season, I expect him to be better than Bynum is at this stage. I think Bynum will always be considered the better offensive player, but Oden will be the better defensive player. But it will be close both ways. Either way, the future is bright for both, and I expect them to be rivals for the next decade. Just my 2 cents. Thoughts?
This is his... 4th (?) season? 3rd? Either way, he SHOULD have a more advanced game after three years in the league.
I just hope they both stay healthy. Both seem like great kids and it would be fun to watch them go back and forth (hopefully.... realignment please) four times a year + playoffs for the next decade.
It is Bynum's 4th year. He is clearly skilled where Greg is raw. But - while I appreciate Bynum's talent and production - there is nothing there that leaves me thinking he is going to be one of these transcendent centers. Greg does - his combination of size, power, jumping ability is just unique. If these guys remain healthy (and I sure hope they do) - I think Greg will be able to eat him up and spit him out once they are both closer to the final product.
I'm interested to see those two go at each other this time 'round. In the first game of the season, it was GO that was rusty and tentative and Bynum playing with confidence. Now, the circumstances have been turned 180 degrees. I'd like to see GO go right at him. I think Kurt Rambis will try to go small to negate the impact of Oden by moving Pau to the five and Lamar to the four when Oden enters the game. Pau is a good ballhandler for his size and you can't leave him when he goes midrange. That spells foul trouble for Oden.
Bynum is a good player in many ways. He is also soft in many ways. The thing he has going for him is he has a lot of coaches and players around him who are experienced enough to help develope him, keep his mindset good, and not try to make him do too much. The whole fact that Phil Jackson got guys like Luke Longley and Bill Cartright to be productive at center in the past means it should be easy with Bynum, he has way more talent then both of those players. Oden has some parts of his game down better than Bynum. Screening. Defensive presence. Offensive rebounding. The rest will come.
I think Oden's defensive impact is what gives him the higher ceiling.. I wouldnt say Much higher as in like double or something.. but I do think his ceiling is higher yes.
In three years these two are going to having the kind of epic battles that defined centers of previous eras ... their games are completely different, but I think it could be really great for the rivalry and the league in general with these two going back and forth (provided each can stay healthy of course).
He's producing better numbers now, in his first season and following microfracture surgery, than a healthy Bynum did in his second season. Bynum: 06-07 LAL 82G, 53GS, 21.9MPG, 0.558FG%, 0.668FT%, 1.7OFF, 4.2DEF, 5.9RPG, 1.1APG, 0.2SPG, 1.6BPG, 1.40TO, 3.00PF, 7.8PPG Oden: 08-09 POR 57G, 39GS, 21.6MPG, 0.563FG%, 0.635FT%, 2.9OFF, 4.1DEF, 7.0RPG, 0.5APG, 0.4SPG, 1.2BPG, 1.49TO, 4.00PF, 8.8 PPG
Strength and the fluidity he showed before the MF surgery (Bynum, btw - improved a lot since his rookie season in this regard). Bynum is less of a bruiser than GO - what GO seems to have is the low- center-of-gravity that makes him an unmovable object with the speed, jumping ability and fluidity that a skilled center can use. Once he regains that fluidity and gains some experience and skills - he seems like he will be a combination of Shaq/Robinson with real attention to defense. Bynum - who is a good player with a bright future - just does not have that brute force aspect.
Exactly my feeling. I think Bynum has a nice, All-Star future ahead of him. I think Oden has a Hall of Fame future ahead of him (assuming no major injuries to either). It's like an Alonzo Mourning compared with a Tim Duncan, respectively. Those two players, in their prime, could have had good, close games against one another, but Duncan was clearly much better overall. I think Oden can be a bigger Tim Duncan (in terms of ability and production, not style).
HONK! You Blazer Homers Crack Me Up! Start lowering your expectations for Oden... it will save you some serious misery down the road.
