It was outdated wisdom, somehow, at a time when teams tried to build around dominant centers. Yet it's not outdated wisdom, somehow, to draft big over the sure thing smaller guy? Try and weasel your way out of it. I think your advice was good for drafting durant.
Well, one leg shorter than the other is a pretty big red flag imo Also, listening to interviews of prestigious medical examiners around the country, they said they could tell Oden would have problems just because of the way he ran (one leg shorter than the other certainly has a lot to do with that). I think ultimately the Blazers did take a chance on him because he's such a rare type of player, but I think they possibly overlooked a lot of the medical red flags to do so. And depending on how bad those red flags were would determine just how terrible of a selection it was or wasn't.
Honestly, not only do I not know what you're trying to say, I don't think even you know what you're trying to say at this point. I'm saying that now we know that the logic used then, to draft big over small even if there's a talent disparity, wasn't good, so it's out-dated. In no way have I ever advocated that Oden should have been selected over Durant because Oden is the larger player, and there's not a lot of evidence that that's the way Portland made the decision. Oden was, from everything I read, viewed as the more talented player, which was the reason to take him. Now, if Pritchard or Allen were to say that the reason Portland selected Oden over Durant was because "you have to take the bigger player," then I'd consider that a terrible selection process, too.
Well, it depends on how high the hype was, and I still haven't seen any evidence Bowie was the prospect Oden was. Not saying you're wrong, but that period was before my time so I literally have no idea, but have read different things that Bowie was drafted specifically for need and not necessarily talent.
I'll just repeat what I said, because your picture has nothing to do with it. by a lot, do you mean on the cover of SI once.
Oden wasn't the most talented player. He was big and a gamble on his upside. Durant was 6'9" and played some SG. all defensive team in college. Oden's offense was good within 3ft of the basket. Durant was AP college player of the year, Adolph Rupp trophy (best college player), US Basketball Writer's Association best college player! Naismith award (best college player), John Wooden award (best college player), And the National Association of Basketball Coaches Best Division I player. Oden won no such awards.
It wasn't before my time. Olajuan and Drexler were hyped big as well. Phi Slamma Jamma was the team's nickname. Fwiw, with 20-20 hindsight, I'd pick Hakeem #1 ahead of Jordan, every time. He was that good, just didn't have Jordan's supporting cast.
For the record, Bowie was picked 2 at a time when 8 of 11 first overall picks were centers. And I don't feel the blazers made a horrible pick, taking Bowie. Taking LaRue Martin with the first pick overall was about as bad as any bust I can think of.
Oden was naismith prep player of the year, indiana mr. basketball, AP All american first team, big ten defensive player of the year and big ten first team. Nope, he didn't win Durant's awards, but he won many awards, and was just as talented.
In your opinion, which you have every right to. From my perception, the scouting community largely felt Oden was the slightly more talented of the two phenoms.
Durant was ap 1st team, naturally. He was big 12 all defense team, big 12 first team. Prep means HS. Mr. Basketball is a HS award. Mayo was prep player of the year and Ohio 2-time mr. Basketball...
oh, prep means HS. Thanks! no shit. Oden also ap 1st team with Durant, and the other similar awards listed above. Oden was not player of the year, that was Durant. That meant Durant had the better college season. It doesn't mean he was the more talented, or the more likely to be a better pro. Unless you think it also meant the same between Hansborough and rose the following year?
Pretty sure LeBron and Oden are the only two players to ever win high school player of the years two years in a row. I think I heard that before. Also
Pretty sure Mayo was HS player of the year back to back years. And Mayo was projected to go from HS to first overall draft pick, but the NBA changed the rule, requiring him to attend college for a year.
Oden was labeled a "franchise center.". In the ~30 games I saw him play, he looked more like Mutombo than he did a David Robinson, Hakeem, et al (actual franchise centers). He blocked a lot of shots, which is good (so does Joakim Noah). He rarely took a shot that wasn't a dunk (never used the glass, a hook shot, a short range jumper). There's a big difference between being big and strong and having actual talent. The guy had 50 career assists. Shaq had 152 as a 20 year old raw rookie. And 23/14. I bring up Shaq because he was just as young, scored mostly on dunks, and talent was there from the first time he stepped on the court.
Maybe for a different award I guess. I don't think it was the same thing. Greg Oden was the Naismith and Gatorade player of the year. Him and LeBron are the only players two win the Gatorade PoTY in two consecutive years. OJ Mayo won neither of these awards. Derrick Rose was always the #1 player in that class that I saw (it may have been a big man, I forget). That said, Derrick Rose was always rated above Mayo. Not buying what you're selling really
