How many current NBA centers would you take over Mutombo in his prime? I'm guessing you never saw Mutombo in his 20s. He wasn't pretty, and he wasn't a major factor on offense, but compared to the centers around the league today, he would be ranked in the top 3. He just had the misfortune to be playing at the same time Hakeem/Robinson/Ewing/Shaq were in their prime.
To answer your question- Howard for sure... maybe Yao. Oden and Bynum perhaps on potential, but certainly not based on their careers so far. Mutombo was a BEAST back in the day. Greg is already scoring more efficiently than DM ever did, but I would be very happy if Oden could match Mutombo's defensive presence in his prime. We're talking about a dude who averaged 3-4 blocks a game and 11-13rpg for quite a few years, while grabbing the Defensive POY 4 times. Not bad for a guy who sounds like a foreign muppet.
where are you pulling this from? I'm pretty sure Greg was a lot bigger then 6'2 as a freshman in HS... more like 6'8 if memory serves. I couldn't find the link I was looking for, but here's one claiming he was touching 2' above the rim as a 7th grader. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketball/2004-07-19-oden_x.htm and sorry, but I won't say goodbye to hopes of Greg's explosiveness never returning based on nothing but your speculations. You've been underselling Greg and the Blazers chances all year, thats just what I've come to expect. STOMP
The Blazers trainers should be fired. Whoever ok'd Greg Oden to put on 40 lbs while rehabbing a major knee injury is a moron. I actually read quotes from the Blazers staff saying how they encouraged him to "bulk up". Amazing.
how is he 40 pounds heavier? He weighed 257 at his predraft (prior to the Blazers) and according to KP was in the low 270s going into the season. That would put him at less then 20 pounds heavier. STOMP
I look at your moniker and wonder what in the world you would know about ceilings?? It stings a little, I know.. but it is reality.
Seriously? you don't understand why its a bad thing for a person to put on weight after knee surgery?
He wasn't doing much in the way of weight bearing activity (mostly swimming and biking) at the bulked up stage of his recovery. The weight came off when he resumed basketball activities.
I don't follow... please explain how it's a bad thing. It's not like the joint is being affected longterm. You do realize that Greg had the Blazer medical staff supervising his rehab on a daily basis right? STOMP
I too am disappointed at his explosiveness at times. However a very few times I see a very quick jump. This leads me to believe that his legs are just not in great condition. Remember, in the first game of the season after starting to get into shape he broke his foot. Long rehab again. Gets back on the court and is finally getting into better shape (all on a rehabbed knee and a rehabbed foot. No way to keep those legs in shape when injured. Finally gets his timing and feel for the game and gets hurt again. More rehab and weakness along with the loss of game timeing etc. Happens several times in the season. Really hard for a rookie to get back into shape and timing. Give him a major season of play and conditioning he will make Joel look like a slaker. My projection of a young kid that just does not have much NBA experience and ---all that with major injuries. IF HE GETS HEALTHY FOR 65-75 GAMES HE WILL BE OUTSTANDING!
This is what is known as an analogy...or in this case, a giraffe fart. (went straight over your head) Some kids have a growth spurt vertically; Oden put on weight. Either way, the player has to adjust. If he was FAT, you could argue that it is a temporary after effect of the surgery. He isn't fat...he is just bigger! A guy puts on that much bulk, it is not "speculation" that he will not be as quick as he was before.
Only true if the strength and agility do not improve similarly. Given that he's coming off of major surgery, those aspects need time to catch up.
sorry but this doesn't fly. Greg did put on some muscle in his upper body through weight training, but muscle can also come off. According to KP he was weighing about 13 pounds heavier starting the season then when he posted amazing run/jump numbers at the predraft and 13 pounds is relatively nothing for a guy that size.... 1/20th of his total weight. What he's had to play through this year is his legs not being in the same sort of shape that they were pre-MF. According to Greg and the Blazer Docs, his knee is structurally fine. With history as my guide on guys coming back from being down a year, it usually isn't until their 2nd season back that they regain their athleticism/bounce. Maybe this won't be the case for Greg, but you saying it definitely won't be is just your speculation. STOMP
I'm just really hoping that the "first season back" theory is true. I don't think anyone would argue that Greg has lost some of his explosiveness, but we're all hoping it comes back with some conditioning over the summer.
