Oden vs. Durant – telling it like it is
I know this doesn’t directly relate to Philadelphia sports, but it could if the Sixers get lucky in the lottery. And honestly, I don’t care if the Sixers, the Bobcats, the Celtics or the freakin’ Harlem Globetrotters have the top pick in the draft. The choice is obvious and I’m frankly sick and tired of people refusing to acknowledge it. So I will.
Greg Oden has received as much hype as anyone in my lifetime not named LeBron James. People talk about Oden like they did with Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson, O’Neal and Duncan. But there’s one big difference – Greg Oden can’t really play.
Now I realize most people reading this are going to think I’m nuts. But here’s the first and only rule if you want to criticize my opinion in this article. You have to have seen Oden play this year. You have to have watched multiple Ohio State games and your entire Oden opinion cannot be based on the highlights and the TV analysts. If you qualify, then keep on reading and hear me out.
My first problem with Greg Oden is that he can’t make a shot outside of five feet. And I don’t want to hear how Shaq couldn’t do that either. Oden doesn’t have half the athletic ability or natural skill of Shaq, and this is coming from a guy who is far from a member of the Shaq fan club.
I’m sorry, but I’m just not impressed by a guy who scores most of his points on dunks and putbacks. Well, let me correct myself. I wouldn’t mind having a guy like that on my team, but what in the world has Oden done to warrant the He’s Worth Tanking the Season For title? This is quite an honor, bestowed upon only the greatest players, and Oden is not in this class.
If anyone is worth tanking the season for, it’s Kevin Durant. This guy can play – period. He has game. He can score inside, he can score outside. He hits the boards, he hits big shots. Simply put, he has the qualities you look for in a top overall pick.
I’m not a huge fan of statistics, but it’s only right that I put them out there anyway. Oden averages 15.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in 30 minutes per game. He shoots 62 percent from both the field and the free-throw line and he also averages 3.6 blocks per game. Durant averages 24.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 34 minutes. He shoots 48 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the line.
But the truth of the matter is that numbers are for people who either don’t watch the games or aren’t intelligent enough to come up with their own opinions. Well, I’m not afraid.
I’ve watched Oden and I’ve watched Durant and I see one player who disappears and one player who stands out.
For someone who is already expected to be a 10-time NBA All-Star, Oden sure does get ignored offensively by the Buckeyes. They are awfully willing to jack up 3-pointer after 3-pointer before they even look to the paint. But make no mistake about it, a lot of that blame has to get put on Oden, who oftentimes looks uninterested in getting open. You think I’m nuts? Watch him more closely next time OSU is on television.
On the other hand, Durant works hard to get open. He calls for the ball. He has the look of a leader and a winner, quite frankly. He pounds his chest, he interacts with teammates. Greg Oden opts for the “I look like I want to cry” look, made popular by Eric Lindros and Eli Manning.
Now I will try and answer some points that my critics will bring up. It’s called Drew’s FAQ.
Q: You didn’t even mention that Oden is a superior defensive player!
A: Good point. Oden is a better defensive player right now. He has the look of an NBA Defensive Player of the Year. But I just can’t ignore his offensive shortcomings and his lack of passion on the court.
Q: Oden is playing with an injured wrist!
A: I don’t want to hear it. Sorry, that’s old news.
Q: Oden’s team is headed for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, while Durant’s Longhorns look like a 5 or 6 seed.
A: The Buckeyes have the much better roster, but right now I’d put money on Texas going further in March.
Q: You have to admit, at least, that some teams would be better served drafting Oden than Durant with the top overall pick.
A: That’s a fair point. Teams like the Hawks and Grizzlies probably should go with Oden. But that’s why they’re losing franchises.
As much as this story doesn’t reflect it, I do believe that Oden looks like an impact player in the NBA. (He also looks like he’s 58, but that’s a different story). I could see him at the next level being Dikembe Mutombo with more offensive game. And obviously that’s the type of player most teams would want in the paint. But Durant is different, he is special, he is a champion in the making.
I suggest you all jump aboard the Kevin Durant express right now. Next stop: The Final Four.
About this Post
Posted on February 15, 2007 by Drew | Filed Under College Sports, Philadelphia, Sixers
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I totally agree with you that Durant would be the best option for whoever team gets the coveted number 1, but if you don’t think that its 1 and 1a with Durant and Oden, you’re flat out wrong.
First off, I have watched Oden and Durant enough to “qualify”, and you discount a lot of what goes on on the Ohio State side. First of all, OSU is overall a superior talent to Texas, and in order for them to stay superior, it takes more than Greg Oden. Cook, Butler, Lewis, and Conley all are fantastic shooters and can fill it up when need be. However, the reason Oden doesn’t get more touches, is because that guard set is a bunch of babies, and pout and bring the team down with them when they don’t get what they want.
And you are extremely discounting that wrist. Say what you want about it being “old news”, Oden should by all accounts still be on the bench with the type of surgery he had. You say the surgery is “old news”, and then throw out his FT% as the reasoning for why you don’t like him. He is shooting free throws with that hurt wrist!
You also say how Oden can’t make anything outside of 5 feet. Last time I checked, a Center wasn’t supposed to take anything but high percentage shots. I’m not worried about Oden’s range from 10 feet. Feed him the ball in the post and let him work. Last time I checked, a shot from 2 feet counts the same as 10 feet, and a 2-footer is much more likely to go in.
Yes, Durant is going to be the better option. But don’t make it sound like there’s a gap. Everyone wanted to trash all the LeBron James hype when he was 18 (this guy excluded), and look how that turned out. Oden is going to be legit.
Thanks for the response, Greg.
While I don’t believe that it’s 1 and 1a, it’s not like I think it’s 1 and 10. I’d say it’s 1 and 2 right now. Like I said, if Oden is Dikembe Mutombo with more offensive game, that’s obviously worth taking top 3. My point was just that Durant is better now and the better NBA prospect down the road.
As far as the free-throw percentage, I didn’t use that as a reason why I don’t like him. I mentioned it when I brought up the stats, but that’s it. And as far as the wrist, I just don’t think it’s as big a deal as most people make it out to be. But that’s tough to prove either way.
You’re right – most centers can’t make shots outside of 5 feet, but Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson and Duncan could – and those are the type of players Oden is being compared to. He is also inferior athletically to all of those players.
Honestly, I didn’t really mean for my post to be so negative towards Oden or so flattering towards Durant. I really just don’t understand the constant hype surrounding Oden as a guaranteed franchise player in the NBA. I kind of got off track, but thanks for making a couple of counter-arguments.
-Drew
Durant is by far the more talented player. However, his Pops came out today and said his son may not declare for the draft this year.
The father of Texas freshman Kevin Durant said Wednesday it’s not a slam dunk that Durant will turn pro after this season. Durant made a 3.0 grade point average Truin the fall semester and has said he wants to improve on that this semester. He has told Texas officials will attend classes the entire spring semester, which concludes with finals in mid-May. The deadline for underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft is April 29.
– Dallas Morning News
Fellas: From this week’s Sports Illustrated (not the one with Beyonce):
By Ian Thomsen
In any other era there would have been no debate: If a dominant center like Ohio State’s Greg Oden were available, he would be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. But is that still the case now that pro teams are going smaller and the league’s rules are slanted to help perimeter slashers like Kevin Durant at the expense of behemoths like Oden? “The new rules definitely have made it tougher [for big men],” says Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has seen Tim Duncan, his 7-foot, two-time MVP, routinely face double teams on offense and mismatches against quicker, undersized pivot men that complicate his life defensively.
Yet an informal survey of half a dozen NBA scouts and general managers revealed only one executive who would consider taking Durant at No. 1 ahead of Oden. “It’s something you have to talk about,” says the Western Conference G.M., who believes that Durant could become a slightly smaller version of Kevin Garnett. “It’s not unreasonable to project Durant as a top five player in the league.”
The majority opinion remains firmly behind taking Oden first. “Do you think Durant is the next Michael Jordan?” asks an Eastern Conference executive who quickly adds that he doesn’t think Durant is of that stature. Adds an Eastern Conference scout, “Durant is a George Gervin-Bob McAdoo type, a spectacular scorer, but as good as those players are, they don’t get you the gold medal. Oden is the kind of guy who wins championships.”
Despite the trend toward smaller and quicker lineups, the eight championships since the Jordan era have been won by a team with a dominant, Hall of Fame-caliber shot blocker who protects the basket (Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Ben Wallace). The need for an intimidating defender like Oden is greater than ever now that it’s so hard to prevent the Dwyane Wades, Kobe Bryants and LeBron Jameses from penetrating to the rim. “Even though Oden is not a great offensive player, you still need a defensive presence inside,” says an Eastern Conference G.M.
The bigger NBA concern is that Oden may not offer the league a choice this season. While most executives are confident that he’ll cash in on his presumed No. 1 status — especially after a right wrist injury caused him to miss seven games and made him recognize his physical vulnerability — others see more than a passing similarity to Duncan, who defied the NBA to play four years for Wake Forest. “This is an odd duck,” the Eastern scout says of Oden. “He may decide he wants to stay in college. This isn’t your normal guy who will just jump at the money.”
Wow, I think this was the most civil point-counterpoint comment board I have seen since I started visiting this site. Intelligent life does exist! haha.
Well, get 3 smart guys in a room and that’s what you get.
Just wait until morning when the hits start. Drew will probably get his share of morons.
Over/Unders for the morning:
People who call me an idiot: 3.5
People who demand I never write for the site again: 1.5
Death threats: 1
People who totally agree with me: Pick’em
Wow Drew – maybe everyone agrees with you. That’s usually the case when the comments are limited.
I couldn’t agree more with Greg’s first post. It’s like I lived with him for two and a half years or something.
In my opinion both players are absolute studs and I think, on draft day, it will come down to pick your poison for that team holding the #1 pick. However, your first rant does come across as if we should all be prepared for the Greg Oden – Michael Olowakandi parallels five years from now.
If Oden can catch the ball with his back to the basket, maybe face up his defender every now and then, and consistently score, from five feet or closer, at an all-NBA level for 10-12 years, I’d gladly except him in a Sixers’ jersey because that will be an exciting career to watch.
If you’re hoping the Sixers pass on this player in June because he lacks the intensity that Durant possesses, that’s senseless. Being a player and fan of the game for years, I truly value intensity, but some of the most unassuming players (i.e. Tim Duncan) have their fair share of NBA rings.
“They are awfully willing to jack up 3-pointer after 3-pointer before they even look to the paint”; what about the fact that Ohio State clearly has several more weapons than Texas. Durant runs off screens and has to work hard to get open because he’s the focal point of an offense. Oden is just one piece of an offensive attack.
And yeah, really, I mean it’s completely outrageous that one individual can command such a force in the paint that he scores all of his points on dunks and putbacks. A completely over-rated and unimpressive basketball saavy.
I used to love that argument about Shaq not being a complete basketball player because all he could do was dunk the ball. All Shaq had to do was dunk the ball…because he’s arguably the most dominating player to ever lace ‘em up. And, correct me if I’m wrong, but David Stern doesn’t retract the NBA title from a team that lacks the complete player.
And while you aren’t a fan of statistics, his numbers are pretty impressive after battling through an injury. And I know this is an injury you’ve completely written, but please list all the other players you are familiar with that can shoot better than 60% from the foul line – left handed. And by the way, the foul line is 15 feet from the basket, dope.
But what’s most glaring to me about those numbers is that he blocks nearly four shots a game. And any basketball fans, or I should say anyone who may have qualified to read past your fourth paragraph, knows that the ability to block shots, can’t be taught.
Durant may be the better pick, but before we emblazon the next “Kandi Man” and say “Greg Oden can’t really play” (it’s hard for me to re-type that), open your eyes because the kid, well, the man, could be the saving grace for a franchise in your backyard.
I just stumbled upon this site, pretty good.
Anyways, I think if the Sixers happen to get the first pick, I see a Donovan McNabb/Ricky Williams type debate before the draft (with Durant assuming the McNabb role). The fans will be clamoring in that oh-so-Philly way for Oden, but if the Sixers are smart, they will draft Durant.
If it were up to me, I would take Joakim Noah. But I am an unabashed Florida alum and homer.
Joakim Noah, are you kidding me? He may be a good college player, but he has no upside for the NBA.
Yea, sorry Mike, I hate to gang up on you (especially because you just found the site) but I just don’t see it with Joakim Noah at all. I think he’s kind of tough to judge because he can handle the ball a little, he’s a nice passer for a big guy and he can block shots, but to me he just looks like someone who will be overwhelmed at the next level. I think his offensive game is more suited for the D-League and his propensity to go for pump fakes makes him a foul machine at the next level. If it were me, there are at least a dozen guys I’d take in this draft before him. But you see him more than I do, I’m sure, so what do you love so much about him and why do you think he’ll be a great player in the NBA?
I’ve watched every game the kid has played for three years. He doesnt do anything great, but (not to sound like Bill Simmons) he brings those extra things to the table that you dont see from many players. He brings intensity to every game he plays, which is more than I can say for any of the other top prospects. He is extremely quick for a 7 footer. He rarely makes bad mistakes. And, most importantly, he’s a winner.
My comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek, as I know he will not go in the top spot. But he is a slam-dunk 17-10 guy who will be the glue of a team for 12 years. I would take someone like that on the Sixers any day.
OK yea DURANT hes got the better numbers everyones going crazy for him but everyones going crazy for these 2 guys going into the nba we dont even know if they are oden could stay in college and become one of the best BIG Men to ever play the game im not gonna say hes perfect becuase all he does is pound it inside… in a world of basketball where everyone wants a big man who can shoot the outside j everyones forgeting about people like g-net, shaq, oneil and all those guys having a guy like oden can both help you stop those fellas and help u score on them once you develop him durant have pure talent an ability to just stroke it but the 1 question i have for him is he gonna be able to just stroke it from the nba 3 point line can he pound it inside on a shaq oden in a nba type pace can he do it with the big boys yes u can ask the very same questions for oden but i think durant will just fall under the catergory of a Adam morisson or a andre bargoni excuse me for the spelling but with these players your not certain off anything and plus they might be the biggest over rated bust in sports history and someone might end up with that guy from Tennessee he might be the best in the draft everyones so hyped about these 2 guys let em decide if they are gonna enter the draft see if they can play if you think you can develop them to stardom if they have what you think it takes draft em play em and see if there as good as everyone says they are and as good as you think they are
and before you take durant or oden you gotta look at your team you need offence or 15 pts and some good defence i dont think durants strong enough to take on a shaq
noah isnt a bad idea becuase hes a winner and hes played under a good system and he might be better equipped then durant and oden just might cause those 2 to stay in college just a lil bit longer and shock the world
if you have someone that can shoot from outside a peirce iverson bryant etc a true scorer your gonna needa big man if u have a big man your gonna needa scorer helps both you out they can double team both you guys like wade a shaqs run and bryant and shaqs if you have a peirce iverson bryant you need someone whos an interior force not another guy who just wants to rainbow threes all day you need that guy whos gonna pound it inside get double teams on him and give you the rock when hes doubled for the about shot on the arch and frankly durants not the big man yea hed fit in fine on a team that already have a big man and is lacking that shooter teams that could use a oden are like the celtics philly (the already have a young rising shooting guard igouldala) hey even the nuggets if the nuggets had defence and a force besides melo who is similar to durant maybe people who talk bout them more seriously
hey maybe im stupid for evrything ive said but theres so many things that can contribute to whos the number one pick and why someone picked them
and who knows how good these players will be in 5-10-12years
Durant is most often compared to Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett. Some people project him as a combination of the two. That’s pretty darn good – but I don’t see any rings on their fingers
-thanks to espn for that
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=odendurant/070126
WHO CARES:
I’d like to introduce you to somebody. His name is Period. He looks like this: . He has friends that go by the names of Comma, Q-Mark and Spelling. Please open a second-grade english book and get to know these concepts before you make 9 posts in a row again.
Thanks,
Drew
Drew thank you so much for saying it to him. For the love of God WHO CARES please learn basic english.
I agree with you that Oden hasn’t proven himself yet. I do think he is going to be a good and maybe even a somewhat great Center in the NBA, but if u even have a somewhat good Center on your team you have to draft Durant. He has the skills and has shown he can put a team on his back and carry them.
If somehow my Sixers get the #1 pick in the Draft i think they would have to be crazy not to draft Durant. They already have a Center who is starting to prove himself and theres enough good players on the team that could turn Durant and themselfs into a very powerful team.
Thanks Drew for great right down the middle writing.
I think it’s a pretty good accomplishment that this post, which I made nearly two weeks ago, is still getting responses from people. Although I hardly classify WHO CARES as a person. However, I think it probably speaks more to the general intrigue of the topic than to my writing, but thanks for your responses, everyone.
I’ve watched almost every Ohio State game this year and I can’t believe I kept reading your article (Thank God it was short) your article is a joke. I would encourage the readers here to read an article that covers all the points on the Oden vs. Durant debate instead of being totally biased http://messageboards.aol.com/aol/en_us/articles.php?boardId=149084&articleId=83295&func=6&channel=Sports&filterRead=false&filterHidden=true&filterUnhidden=false
ok.. i just read this now and i couldn’t help but make a comment. first, i think we all know where durant and his team ended up in the tourney. so right away.. we can see the impact oden has compared durant. while durant was sitting at home watching the ncaa finals, oden was dominating both joakim noah and al horford. and i’m not a huge fan of stats either, but oden’s stats look freakishly similar to that of another great center in college who played for the HOYAS..
yes.. i’m talking about patrick ewing.
also, perhaps the worst part of this blog was you “not wanting to hear” about oden’s injury. are you freakin kidding me? do you know how much a wrist injury affects a basketball player? correct me if i’m wrong, but players use their wrist to get that accurate rotation on the ball. oden was basically using his left hand the whole season.