If you're the GM of the team who wins the #1 pick in the draft, who do you pick? Both are huge prospects who are highly expected to become two of the best players in the league. Both can become franchise players and both are NBA ready. So who do you choose?
I kind of see it as choosing between Chris Bosh (Durant) and a bit more developed Dwight Howard (Oden). Durant's been more impressive in college and will be a versatile offensive player, but Oden will most likely be an impact player on both ends of the floor in the pros. I think you got to go with the player who's become more of a rare commodity in the NBA. Very few teams have a low post presence like Oden.
Its a situation where their both good enough to be #1. It just might come down to what one team needs, a small foward or center.
Durant.....dudes game is very similar to a Kobe or Tmac....very long, has range, can create his own shot from anywhere, is younger......Durant is going to be something serious.....I hope he stays another year, because it will give him some time to put on some more weight and improve on his game that much more, before he enters the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I kind of see it as choosing between Chris Bosh (Durant) and a bit more developed Dwight Howard (Oden). Durant's been more impressive in college and will be a versatile offensive player, but Oden will most likely be an impact player on both ends of the floor in the pros. I think you got to go with the player who's become more of a rare commodity in the NBA. Very few teams have a low post presence like Oden.</div> You see Durant as a Chris Bosh? He looks more like a SF to me. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">Durant.....dudes game is very similar to a Kobe or Tmac....very long, has range, can create his own shot from anywhere, is younger......Durant is going to be something serious.....I hope he stays another year, because it will give him some time to put on some more weight and improve on his game that much more, before he enters the league.</div> If he joins the NBA next season, I think there's a greater chance he'll be more mature physically and skill-wise in the 08/09 season then if he enters the 2008 draft instead. Being a significant piece on an NBA team (which he will be, even as a rookie) will prepare him better as a basketball player than another year of college.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You see Durant as a Chris Bosh? He looks more like a SF to me.</div> seems like a kg/tmac in one
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If he joins the NBA next season, I think there's a greater chance he'll be more mature physically and skill-wise in the 08/09 season then if he enters the 2008 draft instead. Being a significant piece on an NBA team (which he will be, even as a rookie) will prepare him better as a basketball player than another year of college. </div> you could be right, but yeah he reminds me more of tmac than "bosh" (although he has a similar frame like bosh)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">You see Durant as a Chris Bosh? He looks more like a SF to me.</div> Very similar skillset. Both have range, rebounding ability, like to face their man up from the elbow and are extremely athletic. I think, when he reaches the pros, there's no doubt his coaches see that size and try to develop him as a forward. Remember, in his 2nd year, the Raps were considering developing Bosh as a 3 but ultimately decided against it.
how would Durant look next to Pierce in Boston????? EDIT If I was a team that needed a big man to be a true contender then I'd take Oden, but if I was a team rebuilding I'd choose Durant....
Durant is as real as it gets. Oden could turn out like Amare and struggle, but finally get there in 2-3 years...I just don't think he is as NBA ready as you guys make him out to be. Just look at Amare and Kwame, size isn't everything. Pierce and Durant would be kickass.
I was saying Oden before the college season began, but after watching some of Texas` games and seeing what Durant can do, I would LOVE to see him here in Philly. Not putting Oden aside here, but just looking Durant`s stats, you already know he`s going be a star.
<div class="quote_poster">Flow Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I really don't know who would I pick. But Durant's 33PPG and 14RPG is just unbelievable.</div> You mean 25.4ppg, 11.6rpg, 1.6apg
<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You mean 25.4ppg, 11.6rpg, 1.6apg</div> No, he's right. Durant has been averaging 33 ppg and 14 rpg in Big 12 play, which is really more important than non-conference play. I think that more of you guys need to watch these guys play on a consistent basis. It's hard to make judgments about a guy like Greg Oden after a game or two, because he's been playing hurt, is still learning the Ohio State system, and when it comes right down to it, he's a freshman who'll have his inconsistencies. You also have to consider the talent that he's playing with on Ohio State. Sure, Durant is putting up insane scoring numbers, but he's playing on a team with a lot less talent (understatement) than Oden. Not only that, but he's taking 18 FG attempts per game, whereas Oden's only taking 9 FGA. What's more impressive, scoring 15.4 ppg on 9 FGA or 25.4 ppg on 18 FGA? It's debatable, but 15.4 ppg on 9 FGA is amazingly efficient. That's like Shaquill O'Neal/Wilt Chamberlain efficiency. Not to mention that he's averaging just under four blocks and ten boards per game, all the while playing without a right hand. When it's all said and done though, they're both future stars, and you can dissect their games or their statistics all you want, but the fact of the matter is that big men are more valuable than wings. Players like Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan, and Moses Malone (bigs who Oden's compared to) win titles, not players like Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, and Alex English (wings who Durant's compared to).
To me the more interesting question is do you think either of these guys will surpass LeBron James, cause that was the last consensus #1 pick that had a lot of hype? 5 years from now how will these 3 be ranked?
You can't really compare Oden to LeBron because they play totaly different positions, but as for Durant, I think he has all the tools to reach LeBron's level. But, who knows how much LeBron himself will improve in the next 5 years, you never know with both of they being so young.
