GOD

At a friends house he showed me a couple of clips he has of Oden playing this year and I was not very impressed. Granted that all told i have only seen 3 or 4 minutes of him, but he seems to just be large. There were a could of Defensive highlights that were impressive, one blocked shot but his opponent was easily a foot shorter then him, and he did box out one guy for a rebound that bounced the other direction. However he seemed to be the slowest person running the floor, and he did not look comfortable on offence even in High School.

If there is anyone here who has seen more then 3 minutes of this guy play, please tell me what I missed. Every scout in the nation has him pegged as the 2007 #1 draft selection, so I must be wrong, but I just think he looked like an Ent, big, lumbersome, and unable to make a decision.

wastro

ESPN The Magazine had an article on Oden a couple weeks ago. The gist was that he'd been overwhelmed by the decisions to go to college or go pro (before the new collective bargaining agreement had been reached) and felt obligated to live up to everyone's expectations.

He made it clear in the article that he wasn't having fun and that his heart wasn't in it his junior year. His team started the season ranked #7 nationally and finished unranked.

I can't blame him for feeling stressed, when he's being compared to Kareem Abdul Jabar and has to endure all the hype that goes with that. I guess he's doing much better this year, and we'll get a good look at him next year when he goes to Ohio State.

deanwoof

I saw one of the games from last year that was on Comcast's On Demand. And I have to say he didn't look that good. Compared to everyone else, he looked big and goofy (and he looks to be about 25 years old). He didn't seem too quick on the court. But he was dominant despite being triple-teamed nearly on every possession. But again, this is high school ball where most centers are 6'4-" 6'5", IF THAT.

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Coatesvillain

This is the bonus for fans, since he'll be going to Ohio St. next year we'll get to see if he's really worth the hype. HKF's been hyping him to me non-stop, but I want to see him against better competition. In the games aired on ESPN he's been going up against guys who'll be career rec leaguers at best.

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Phinally!

GOD

I am real glad kids need to be 19/one year removed from HS to enter the draft. Over the past three years I have become so interested in the draft and in scouting prospects. Having most everyone playing against solid competition in college or euro league really allows us a chance to evaluate and make our own decisions. Sometimes I am right, sometimes I am wrong, but I always have a good time building up to the draft.

I am so excited for March Maddness.

Carbo04

He's massively overrated. At least he is right now. He's kinda slow, and not an offensive threat. He's a good rebounder and shot blocker. But he's also in high school. I think he will be a good player, but he isn't no Kareem or Russel or even close at this point.

Draco

Yes

Samuel

Do I think he's going to be good?

Yes.

Do I think he should go to school for a year?

Hell no. His stock is sky high right now. I think the NCAA will benefit from the new arrangement, however. Finally the owners are starting to win some battles with the player's association. Finally, some more McDonalds guys playing in the NCAA Tournamount.

tlong

Oden will dominate the league.

cpt.napalm

Lindsay Lohan is hotter

(back on topic)

Oden will be very good. He is raw at the moment but he has very good physical tools and has a decent game. He won't have to be taught from the ground up like Ha. He is fluid and has some very good offensive moves. Bulk him up and he will bang with the big boys. Defense needs some work but he has no one to bang with and practice against.

ebott

I'm looking forward to seeing the guy play in College. I plan on watching every nationally televised Ohio State game next year.

He could be the next Shaq or he could be the next Olowokandi.

STOMP

of course back in Russell's day, he was only thought of as the 2nd best prospect from his HS... the other player was some guy named Frank Robinson who never played a day in the NBA.



I'm sure the whole board will have ongoing discussions about Oden throughout his frosh year. Can't wait to see him for myself.

STOMP

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQprMCe20A&NR=1

kaydow

Is that Frank Robinson the baseball HOF'er??

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Big Kaydow

STOMP

yup

STOMP

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQprMCe20A&NR=1

cpt.napalm