Let's start a Kevin Durant discussion

[Oz]

But, like someone else said earlier, if both come out this year, whichever team winds up with the No. 2 pick ain't gonna be complaining when it's all over.

Exactly. Can't find much not to like about either one, though I would like to see Oden play with a healed shooting hand. That probably would make a huge difference in how he plays.

 

[Boobie Miles]

I don't recall Darko being looked at as a can't-miss prospect. In fact, I'm pretty sure the Pistons were questioned for the pick at the time, not something that happened in hindsight.

No one had ever seen Darko play, whereas Oden has been on national tv a handful of times already so it's a different situation entirely.

 

[melock]

Sixers already have a good 3 in Iguadola. He's not as good as Durant, but he's still pretty good. You can't pass up a good big man. Unless you can trade for Roy Hinson that is.

 

[Second Thoughts]

The best position to be in this coming draft will be holding the No. 2 pick. No pressure.
And you'll come away with either Oden or Durant. Sure things both I say.
Or one heckuva trade for that pick.

 

[melock]

The best position to be in this coming draft will be holding the No. 2 pick. No pressure.
And you'll come away with either Oden or Durant. Sure things both I say.
Or one heckuva trade for that pick.

It's tough calling anyone a sure thing these days, but these two guys are pretty darn close to it. And yes Oden is a center. If he isn't neither is Tim Duncan.

 

[Twoback]

Oden is not "a" center.
He is "the" center of his generation. Players such as him come along about once every 15 years. This is not Olowokandi or Yao Ming. This is a guy who, if remains healthy, will be a Hall of Famer and will win championships.
The list of teams that have won championships without a great low-post center is pretty much limited to Michael Jordan and a few Pistons teams. We're talking about more than 50 years of NBA history and only about 10 exceptions. If you can get one of these guys, a guy like Oden, you get him.

OK, but isn't it this line of thinking that led the Pistons to take Darko Milicek (sp?) over Carmello? How'd that turn out? I know the Pistons won a title after that, Darko played none that season. Carmello would still be helping them.

No. The line of thinking that led to Darko over Melo was "big is better."
The line of thinking with an Oden is entirely different.
It's like the difference in a draft between Walton and David Thompson. If you don't take Walton first, you're making a huge mistake. Again, Oden isn't just bigger.

 

[melock]

Oden is not "a" center.
He is "the" center of his generation. Players such as him come along about once every 15 years. This is not Olowokandi or Yao Ming. This is a guy who, if remains healthy, will be a Hall of Famer and will win championships.
The list of teams that have won championships without a great low-post center is pretty much limited to Michael Jordan and a few Pistons teams. We're talking about more than 50 years of NBA history and only about 10 exceptions. If you can get one of these guys, a guy like Oden, you get him.

OK, but isn't it this line of thinking that led the Pistons to take Darko Milicek (sp?) over Carmello? How'd that turn out? I know the Pistons won a title after that, Darko played none that season. Carmello would still be helping them.

No. The line of thinking that led to Darko over Melo was "big is better."
The line of thinking with an Oden is entirely different.
It's like the difference in a draft between Walton and David Thompson. If you don't take Walton first, you're making a huge mistake. Again, Oden isn't just bigger.

That's right on the money. Oden's also better.

 

[Shaggy]

How can you say anyone is better than Kevin Durant at this point? This guy is unbelievable.

 

[Chef]

Oden is not "a" center.
He is "the" center of his generation. Players such as him come along about once every 15 years. This is not Olowokandi or Yao Ming. This is a guy who, if remains healthy, will be a Hall of Famer and will win championships.
The list of teams that have won championships without a great low-post center is pretty much limited to Michael Jordan and a few Pistons teams. We're talking about more than 50 years of NBA history and only about 10 exceptions. If you can get one of these guys, a guy like Oden, you get him.

OK, but isn't it this line of thinking that led the Pistons to take Darko Milicek (sp?) over Carmello? How'd that turn out? I know the Pistons won a title after that, Darko played none that season. Carmello would still be helping them.

No. The line of thinking that led to Darko over Melo was "big is better."
The line of thinking with an Oden is entirely different.
It's like the difference in a draft between Walton and David Thompson. If you don't take Walton first, you're making a huge mistake. Again, Oden isn't just bigger.

That's right on the money. Oden's also better.

wrong.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

Right now I'd take Durant first. But when Oden is healthy there is no way he's not the top pick.

 

[accguy]

I don't know if anybody is saying that Oden is better than Durant at this point. I think there's a significant difference between better college season and better NBA prospect.

Oden, to me, has more upside. I agree with the assessment that he's a once-a-generation center. He's getting better and better and playing with one hand.

 

[Oz]

Just to escape the Oden vs. Durant discussion for a moment, unless Durant completely falls apart this month, he's got to be the POY this season. I love watching this kid play. And I can't stand the Longhorns.

 

[Chuck~Taylor]

This could turn out to be a Okafor/Howard situation.

I know Okafor(the defensive specialist) is improving, but Howard has the talent to be up there with the Kobes and Lebrons.

 

[CollegeJournalist]

I think we're looking at a situation close to the one from a few years ago, when LeBron was the consensus number one until Carmelo blew up as a freshman and took 'Cuse to the title. Tons of people were yelling that Carmelo was now "proven" and should have been the number one pick.

Now, we're looking at it the same way, with Oden being the consensus number one prior to college, and Durant blowing up and turning it into a discussion.

What you have to look at are the parallels: Oden probably doesn't hold the marketing potential that LeBron did, given that LeBron hit the NBA at a time when it was desperate for the clean-cut, MJ-esque superstar and he was a guard. Guards are always more popular marketing-wise. But...Oden is the can't-miss center of the generation, just as LeBron was the can't-miss player/wing of his generation. And I think it's not completely wrong to say that while Durant is a can't-miss player, he's not the can't-miss player of the generation on the wing.

Neither is LeBron, but I think Oden is closer. And for that reason, I think I'd take Oden, despite the fact that impulse says take Durant.

Either way, it's going to end up much like that situation--both teams are going to be very happy with their decision.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

This could turn out to be a Okafor/Howard situation.

I know Okafor(the defensive specialist) is improving, but Howard has the talent to be up there with the Kobes and Lebrons.

And I still think Charlotte should have drafted Howard.

 

[Chuck~Taylor]

This could turn out to be a Okafor/Howard situation.

I know Okafor(the defensive specialist) is improving, but Howard has the talent to be up there with the Kobes and Lebrons.

And I still think Charlotte should have drafted Howard.

Same here, same here.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

This could turn out to be a Okafor/Howard situation.

I know Okafor(the defensive specialist) is improving, but Howard has the talent to be up there with the Kobes and Lebrons.

And I still think Charlotte should have drafted Howard.

Same here, same here.

Oh well. I'm glad they drafted Felton and May last year. :D

 

[Norman Stansfield]

This could turn out to be a Okafor/Howard situation.

I know Okafor(the defensive specialist) is improving, but Howard has the talent to be up there with the Kobes and Lebrons.

And I still think Charlotte should have drafted Howard.

Am I missing something? I thought Orlando had the first pick that year. Charlotte had no choice but to take Okafor.

 

[Uncle_buck]

If Oden's wrist heals I take him number 1. He comes in to any franchise and has an immediate impact. Last time I looked a dominant center was still the surest way to make a decent run in play off basketball. (Question: at 56 years old will Oden be the oldest number 1 pick?)

Durant is a smoking hot offensive weapon in NCAA and would likely put up decent if not excellent numbers in the NBA, in terms of upside this guy has masses of it, definately the more talented player of the two. Here is my but though..... I have trouble believing he wouldn't get eaten alive if he had to defend in the paint. He is agressive enough but is he ever going to have the frame to put up the grind for an 82 game regular season.

It is tough to assess Oden's potential offensive impact whilst he plays left handed. But to me there is no doubt that a contender can be built around this guy immediately.

So I take
1) Oden
2) Durant
3) Noah

For the scouts and the GM's their decision could well come down to who has a "Noah" and goes on a run in the NCAA tourney

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Durant won't necessarily have to defend 4s, which would limit how much he'd be in the paint in the NBA. I can see teams having him guard 3s, which he seems entirely capable of.

And while I agree Noah's going to be a high pick, I don't think he's going to be No. 3 if Brandan Wright comes out and I don't think he's going to be a difference-maker in the pros.

Dude lost a ton of money not coming out after the Final Four.