Kelly Dwyer's Top 30 series continued: Centers 30-21

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Ranking-the-centers-30-through-21?urn=nba-265324

Based on who's in the bottom third, I'd say there's not even a snowball's chance in hell Greg is listed in the next two parts.

 

You'd say? Does this imply all of those centers are better than Oden? Which of these superior specimens would you trade for now?

 

Kind of surprised he'd rank Chandler so low. I really like how he's looked on the USA team.

 

Wanna Bet?

 

I understand that playing the devil's advocate around here with respect to Oden is so hip and cool right now, but try to use a little objectivity.

 

As I posted previously, I wouldn't be surprised if Oden is left out of the rankings, and Camby is the center ranked for Portland.

 

I'm thinking the reason that Chandler is so low is injuries. Greg's injuries have been worse than Chandler. So it wouldn't surprise me if Greg were ranked lower than Chandler.

 

I'm actually in the opposite camp, I think Chandler hasn't given USA anything. They need a low post game badly and Chandler kind of stands around waiting for the alley-oop.

Color me surprised JaVale McGee ranked so high.

 

Even though it is only #21, I agree. Think injuries and being backups hurt the others on the list.

I still take Oden's production this coming season over anyone on that list. Camby and Oden should make the next one.

 

I am thinking the opposite. Chandler, when healthy, is a nice player - but without an elite PG to throw him the Alley-oop, he is really nothing. Greg, when healthy, is an elite offensive and defensive force. I expect him to be close to #10 with a note that says that if he is healthy, he should be in the top-5.

 

Man, it's like we're watching different games. I think he's had a huge impact on the defensive end. His offense (as always) is non-existent. But with the talent he's playing with, they don't really need him to score.

The team does lack post offense, but that's not his fault. They need an offensively talented power forward.

This is going to sound absolutely crazy, but this team could actually use Zach Randolph. He'd be the perfect complement to Chandler. It'd never happen because of his crazy history, but he'd be an absolute beast out there in a lineup with Durant (SF) and Chandler (C).

 

Let's say he ranks all of the following above Oden:

Howard, Yao, B. Lopez, M. Gasol, Bogut, David Lee, Kaman, Noah, Bynum, Okafur, Jefferson, Horford, Camby, Beidrins, Hilario, Bargnani, & Hibbert.

That still leaves 3 spots to round out the top 20. And we're talking about guys like Nick Collison / Marcin Gortat / Spencer Hawes / Brendan Haywood / DeAndre Jordan / Nenad Kristic / Varejao / or Monroe/Aldrich.

So unless he ranks 3 of them over not only Greg Oden, but also the 21-30 guys, then I think it's safe to say Greg will get in. My guess, due to injury concerns, is #15. But of course I'd rank him higher.

 

Really?

Javale McGee - #21
6.4 pts, 4.1 rebounds, 50.8% fg, 1.7 blocks, 16 minutes per game

Greg Oden - #?
11.1 pts, 8.5 rebounds, 60.5% fg, 2.3 blocks, 24 minutes per game

Yeah, yeah...the injuries. But that doesn't mean he's not going to be on this list. I'd guess just outside the top 10.

 

Who wants to bet that both Camby and Oden make the top 20

 

Not the end of the world. Oden's future is a giant "IF" and it's only after this year that we'll see a "YES" or a "NO" even peek out from behind it. That said, I'd still extend him if possible. But that's the fan talking, not the GM.

 

Greg will be in the top 10. Given the following quote from the article, bank on it

STOMP