hasoos

I don't know how many of you watched the NCAA finals tonight, but out of all the games I watched Oden play this season (quite a few), I felt tonight was actually one of his best if not the best game of the season. He showed the things scouts are crazy about. Defensively, he was very solid in the paint. Offensively, he had one of his better games. He showed a hook, drop step and the Shaq like agressiveness. Where he showed he needed work was in boxing out, and using his length rather then take cheap swipes at the ball (The source of a lot of his cheap fouls.) He also looked like he needed to get into better shape, but most freshmen don't know how to get into true game shape yet, he is no exception.

Overall considering he was getting hounded by several players every time in the key, I think his game will translate better to the pro's, especially when it comes to that little circle around the basket where players cannot draw a charge and he can smash the rim at will.

Earlier this season when I was thinking about it, I was thinking Durant was definitly the pick for #1. But I think about the fact Oden was hurt all year long, and tonight when they needed him the most, he had a pretty darn good game. Then I thought about it some more...If I had a choice between "KG" and "Shaq" who would I take? Thats easy. The guy with several rings and who has made his team a contender virtually every year he has been in the league...Shaq.

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Hasoos

dudleysghost

I don't think the comparison between KG and Shaq is really fair. KG never had anyone like Kobe or Wade, and didn't have Jerry West and Pat Riley building solid well-balanced rosters. He had Marbury and Wally World, and Kevin McHale screwing up left and right.

That said, Shaq was the most dominant player of the post-Jordan era. But is Oden really like Shaq? Both were defensive superstars coming out of college, but IIRC, Shaq already had a well-developed post game. Oden's post moves seem pretty awkward to me. Also, Shaq was one of the better passing big men in the league, and I have yet to see that kind of high-level court awareness from Oden. If the choice were between drafting young Shaq and Oden, I'd have no doubt about picking Shaq (I'd take Garnett over Durant as well though).

Still, Oden will be a very good player, and with his injury I don't think we've gotten much chance to see the top of his game. Despite his awkwardness, he was able to score well on Horford and Florida, and he is a premiere defensive player already. His post moves can develop. I feel pretty confident that whatever team gets the #1 pick, they will take Oden.

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ThatBlazerGuy

I moved him up to #1 on my draft board, taking Durant's spot. The man-child completley abused Horford and Noah tonight.

c_note

He certainly needs to improve his post-up game. He has the ability/potential to be dominant, but needs the proper coaching. It seems like he relies solely on his athletic ability and overwhelming strength/size to score. In other words, the only thing stopping him from becoming an offensive force are a few consistent, reliable post moves.

yuyuza1

The potential is certainly there. With his athleticism and size, he can inevitably develop an adept offensive game. Defensively, he's already there on par with NBA level players. You just don't let this kind of guy go if you have the first pick.

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Oldmangrouch

All season, Oden has been showing us "Holy ****!" moments, while Durant has been having "Holy ****!" *games*.

As good as Oden looked tonight, he had some awfully sloppy moments at both ends of the court. Is it bad technique? Is his conditioning not yet where it needs to be? Is that wrist *still* bothering him?

Maybe I am too much of a cynic!

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Ed O

Oden showed tonight why he's the top NBA prospect. Durant is an incredible scorer, but Oden's defense and strength are amazing and he's already got some good-looking post moves... and he's got good form on his free throws (which indicates to me that he's potentially at least a decent shooter from the field on jumpers).

I have had Oden ahead of Durant on my personal draft board all year, and the OSU loss just reinforces that Oden deserves to be there.

He also deserves, of course, to be starting for the Blazers next season.

Ed O.

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mgb

YES!!! I have a dream!

Oden was dominant, especially considering he's a freshman in the finals with not much help from his team.

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mediocre man

I still want Durant. He does more things on the court. But I guess the best way to put it is that if they both declare, and Portland ends up at number 2 I could sleep at night knowing one of them would be in a Blazers uniform next to Aldridge and Roy for the next 10 or so years.

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STOMP

Of course Shaq came out after his Jr. year at LSU and of course he never led his team to the NCAA finals. It's not inconceivable that in GO's next couple of seasons he's able to iron out some of the awkwardness of his low post game. In the tourney when he wasn't just mauling the rim, I saw him showing some deft skills with both hands shooting hooks and finger rolls. Basically while Shaq had more bulk/power, I think I'd have to give Greg's ambidextrous skills, quickness, and ability to knock down his free throws at a high rate the edge... that free throw line has always been the major kink in Shaq's ability to dominate games.

STOMP

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andalusian

Durant had a wonderful year but I still wonder if he is ever going to have that killer instinct that makes him a MJ/Kobe instead of just a wonderful player like T-Mac. Oden is as safe a bet for NBA super-stardom and rings as there is in this draft. Durant could be an all time great - but you have a feel that at worst Oden will be one of the top 2 centers in the league as he matures. Given that Shaq/Duncan teams were featured in most Final games the last decade - if I am the GM of a team that has the #1 pick - I am taking Oden.

cpawfan

He is the #1 pick

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mediocre man

All I see is a foul

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RedHot&Rolling

There is NO QUESTION as to whom will be the #1 pick if both Oden and Durant declare. It's the man-child Oden. He's as developed IIRC as Shaq was as a Freshman at LSU. But, GO shoot FT's more like Kareem than like Dudley. Oden has "touch", Shaq never has. The FT's didn't keep Shaq from dominating in any way (maybe only late in games) but he could've scored many, many, many, many more points in his long career if he'd made a better pct.

Oden is the future dominate center of the NBA. Durant will be good - but he may never win a championship unless he'll have someone to combat Oden.

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