Who would you take with the No. 1 pick: Texas' Kevin Durant or Greg Oden of Ohio State? That question will be on the mind of some lucky NBA general manager come June.

After Durant's incredible performance in Wednesday's triple-overtime loss to Okahoma State, many think he's surpassed the 7-foot Oden. He certainly has the better numbers. Through the Longhorns' first 17 games, Durant is averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Oden is averaging a mere 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in 11 games (Oden missed six games with a wrist injury).

Despite the numbers, some scouts still maintain that Oden will be the better pro. In his latest column, SI.com's Seth Davis asked an NBA scout whether there's a chance Durant will be drafted ahead of Oden. Here's what he said: "Not a chance. I'm not drafting small forwards in front of centers. Oden can dominate the game for the next 15 years. Durant is a star, but unless a team already has a young, great center, I don't see it."

Then again, a similar debate erupted more than 20 years ago when scouts debated two seven-footers -- Akeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie – against a talented kid out of North Carolina named Jordan. Both Houston and Portland went with the size and both teams are still regretting that decision.

However, in this case, we'd take Oden. Durant is going to be a stud, but his skill set – size, athleticism and three-point range – aren't that rare in the NBA anymore (think Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Al Harrington, Tim Thomas, Lamar Odom, Rudy Gay and others). Oden, meanwhile, is a throwback center, understands how to protect the basket and is a legit seven feet and growing (he's still 18). If he entered the NBA today, he'd be the fifth best true center in the league (behind Shaq, Yao, Jermaine O’Neal and Eddy Curry). His combination of size, skill and maturity only comes along once a decade and an NBA team would be foolish to pass that up.

Who would you choose?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/sioncampus/vent/2007/01/who-should-be-drafted-no-1-durant-or.html

Since when was Jermaine O'Neal a "true center"?

Since he averages more blocks, rebounds, and pts than eddy and is leading the nba in shot blocks, plays the post. He is the same height as eddy they just play foster at center since he is an energy guy, like lee......

Tim Duncan really is a center but plays the power foward as well, strange so many guys are centers but not recognized as them

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

Oden, meanwhile, is a throwback center, understands how to protect the basket and is a legit seven feet and growing (he's still 18).

I demand to see a birth certificate. He has Danny Almonte written all over him.

Curry is a top 5 Center...........maybe.

Posted by Killa4luv:

Then again, a similar debate erupted more than 20 years ago when scouts debated two seven-footers -- Akeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie – against a talented kid out of North Carolina named Jordan. Both Houston and Portland went with the size and both teams are still regretting that decision.

Is Houston really regretting drafting one of the best centers to ever play thew game? Hall of Famer, one of the 50 greats, who got them 2 rings and had them competitive every year? Jordan or no Jordan, you don't regret picking Hakeem.

Portland is a total other story.

[Edited by - killa4luv on 01-22-2007 10:02 AM]

I agree, and I laugh when I hear that. Yea Hakeem was not jordan, but he was one of the greatest bigs to play the game and he won two titles in Houston. I am sure they are not crying over that... they also lost in the finals to one of the best Boston teams of that era...

Posted by Allanfan20:

He's a low post scoring specialist.

Thats what they are supposed to do on offense. Be low post scoring specialists. His passing and defense will come next year.

who would I choose between curry and oden? I have no idea, my reaction right now is to say oden simply becuase of the hype surrounding him, and what king1 said. but I havent really researched it.

Posted by Allanfan20:

Posted by Silverfuel:

Posted by Allanfan20:

He's a low post scoring specialist.

Thats what they are supposed to do on offense. Be low post scoring specialists. His passing and defense will come next year.

Mi amigo Silverfeul. If the passing and defense "Come" next year (By my standards btw) then drinks are on me, for you, at the next get together next season.

[Edited by - Allanfan20 on 01-22-2007 3:22 PM]

I'll buy a round too! That would be wonderful! (I'm not optimistic, though.)