Its a foregone conclusion that having a defensively dominant frontcourt player doesn't necessarily guarantee the trophy, but it does place you as a legitimate contender. Of course Oden is that player but where does he rate with other similar players?


Discuss.

Everyone says that he is more developed than Ewing at this stage of his career, and judging by his interview with dan patrick i would suggest he would be on that level because he seems very humble....he is versatile with either hand and will take some time to adjust but i would say more so than ewing and deke coming into the league, and ewing also had two more years of school, so give oden his two year in the nba and then judge him......

because as we all know it takes 7 years for big man to learn how to rebound, blk shots, defend, try etc

MS, it doesn't take 7 years. That is absurd.

Briggs, I didn't include Shaq because I never looked at Shaq at a defensive stopper. But your point is noted.

Where does Oden rate with other defensive frontcourt icons?

Posted by bigpimpin:

MS, it doesn't take 7 years. That is absurd.

Direct reference to Eddy Curry.

Well, in terms of numbers, what are we talking? Can he be a double-double guy in his first year? It's weird because he didn't have truly dominant rebounding numbers in college - but it's a small man's game, so it's actually relatively rare for a true big man to put up outstanding numbers at the college level.

Is he as raw as Dwight "Dunk" Howard? Howard's way more athletic than Oden, but even with his out of this world athleticism, it's taken him a while to become a good shot blocker. He's already putting up outstanding rebounding numbers, and in spite of being completely raw (outside of dunking) offensively, he managed to average 17.6ppg. Imagine if he added just 1 move to his repertoire.

Also, keep in mind that Alonso Mourning and Patrick Ewing were both fairly raw offensively, Alonso even more so. Still, they both managed to average 20+ppg in their rookie seasons. Alonso has always been a rough scorer, using mostly brute force to get the job done

Ironically, Dikembe Mutombo regressed as an offensive threat following his highest scoring rookie year at 16.6ppg. Sometimes experience doesn't make you a better offensive player, at least statistically. Maybe his jumper and post moves became more fluid and reliable, but he just didn't have his number called. I don't really know.

Hakeem was Oden defensively.

Monster defenders of the paint.

Bobby, you have to be kidding me.

Defensively, you tell me what Hakeem and Zo had on Oden in college?

I can't wait to hear this.

Don't think because you got lucky and won a fantasy league that you are a great evaluator of talent.

Posted by bigpimpin:

Bobby, you have to be kidding me.

Defensively, you tell me what Hakeem and Zo had on Oden in college?

I can't wait to hear this.

Don't think because you got lucky and won a fantasy league that you are a great evaluator of talent.

I will say this, In college I saw hakeem take it to georgetown with Ewing and that baldheaded cat michael graham I think he name was. Ewing faced sampson and Bowie and mel turpin and he dominated when he played big talent..

Oden at times struggled against big talent, had his problems with florida, both times they played.

I still think oden is going to be a hell of a defender, not as agile as Hakeem, but who was... didn't seem as menacing as ewing and he certainly is not as quick off his feet as zo was... I really don't know where to place him.

As far as offense goes. Ewing came into the league hitting jumpers and jump hooks.. Hakeem was a beast... I don't know what games people were watching, even as freshman, ewing and Hakeem were efficient players on offense..

Potentially BILL RUSSELL

[Edited by - playa2 on 24-05-2007 08:46]

Posted by Nalod:

All of those guys were 3 years older when they hit the pros so they were more ready. Oden also had a wrist injury so most of the comps are going to be tough.

Oden against florida was tough as he had to face a great team with 3 first round picks.

Id have to say the one who he reminded me the most was Mourning, but he is bigger and quicker than he was after his freshman year.

Oden will need a few years still to mature his body, game and his mind for what is ahead. I think Thompson really did his players right by limiting there exposure to the press and the circus that surrounds the players. That was 20 years agon and perhaps it can't be done now, but Ewing, Mourning and Deke (was he 30 when he graduated) all finished school and all were as well rounded as a 22 year old can be given the circumstances. They were mentally prepared to face the task ahead.

Oden, like Lebron seems very poised and says the right things but he still is 19 years old and for all we know he might go back to his room and play with Ninja Turtles all night long to relax.

The kid seems to have all the tools and like so many players inhibited in the college game he might have more breathing room to work with.

But Yao and Shaq await!

LOL. Man if I have to keep hearing about his wrist injury as the reason why he is not as good offensively as he is on defense. What does the injury only bother him when the Buckeyes were on offense and he was isolated away from the basket? One scary thought on Oden. Hibbert gave him alot of trouble and Oden said it was the first time he ever played someone as big as him or bigger. Well that will be life in the NBA.

I think David Robinson is a good comparison but i think he will have a better career only because of hte way the league is now he is going to be a dominant player