Oden 2009-10: 12.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG

I would still take Oden. Championships are typically won in the paint. The historical evidence is overwhelming.

Portland had a decent inside game, but not great. Oden has the potential to make the Blazers inside game very good. Durant for all his ability wouldn't ever have that same kind of impact.

It's not like I would have been totally pissed if Portland had taken Durant. I am just of the opinion Portland's chances of winning it all were better if they took Oden instead of Durant.

 

^^^Exactly

Injury....?

I don't consider micro fracture surgery an injury per say, it's more like an calculated investment to reinforce a player's body. Oden could have easily played without MF surgery. So as soon as the team decided to go that route, the "injury" is no longer the guy's fault.

That being said GO is a long term investment, I'll put my money on that over a scorer's title (KD) anyday

 

I'm hoping for a 13, 9, and 2 second year.

I'm hoping he slimmed down and is in good shape. I hope he corrects his fouling problem and stays on the floor for at least 30mpg. And I hope he stays off the Injury List.

That would be a successful season to me. Anything more than that is gravy, imo.

 

14.5 - 16 ppg 10 - 12 Rebounds 1.8 - 2.3 blks is the floor for Oden next year. Anything less then something right in that range would be a huge disappointment to me and I'm a HUGE Oden backer. I knew Oden's rookie season would be almost a wash and was pleasantly surprised with his domination of the Offensive glass. I do think Oden is a once in a generation center who happens to be on a loaded team. I expect him to lead the league in Rebounds in the not too distant future and quite possibly blocks.

He will never average 29ppg because he doesn't have to. Shaq is a once in two generation talent comparable to Wilt only. Russell, Kareem, Thurmond, Robinson, Ewing, Hakeem, Howard these are going to be Oden's peers. Shaq was a giant in an era with no other giants. Had Shaq come out in 1983 his career might have been very different indeed.

Oden belongs to the class of centers like Russell, Thurmond and Howard defensive beasts capable of big offensive games when needed. If I had the 2007 draft to do over again I take Oden and I don't look back. KD will never win a ring and would have been horrible with Roy. We would have had something akin to GS run TMC days. All sorts of scoring a threat to take out anyone in the first round, but always a bridesmaid, never and NBA champ. Oden has to grab the mantle of greatness. If he doesn't we will likely only be also rans.