Not according to scouts or pre-draft measurements. He had athleticism equivalent to Howard's pre-draft measurements despite being larger and stronger. You keep pretending that there's no reason why scouts were essentially unanimous in saying that Oden was a once-a-generation center prospect (and had been saying that since he was a junior in high school). Remains to be seen. So far, he has suffered more injures. Whether that turns into a career pattern is another thing entirely.
LOL @ Oden being weaker than Howard. Dwight isn't even as strong as he looks. He has that cut physique going for him but he seems to have trouble backing down bigger stronger centers. Oden on the other hand is absolutely massive. There wasn't one center (other than Shaq maybe) I've seen him not be able to overpower or back in with ease, and that includes Yao. Outside of Shaq, Oden is probably the strongest guy in the L already.
(Just to repeat) Dwight Howard is pwned by Yao Ming. Yao just eats him alive (and not just his tiny head).
Chris Paul also gets routinely outplayed by Deron Williams in head to head matchups. It doesn't mean Paul isn't a better player though. Regardless of how "bad" Howard gets outplayed in 2 games during the regular season, I'll take him because of his superior play in the other 80 games.
I'd take Howard due to greater durability. He'll play more of the games. When both Yao and Howard are healthy, I'd say it's a toss-up between who is better.
