I heard something pretty funny while flipping through the channels yesterday.
After stumbling onto Fox Sports during a news update, I watched an anchor say: "Ohio State center Greg Oden will likely enter the NBA Draft. If Oden does enter this season, he is likely a top-two pick."
Let's not kid ourselves here. Oden WILL come out early, and he WILL be selected No. 1 overall. It's not even close.
The anchor was hinting that some teams will also likely consider Texas forward Kevin Durant with the top pick.
This has nothing to do with Durant's incredible numbers his freshman season at Texas, nor his nearly flawless game. The guy can shoot, drive, post up, dribble and defend.
But he's not 7'0", and he's not the best true center to come through college in at least 25 years.
Durant is certainly more flashy than Oden, perhaps even more polished offensively. But NBA teams have always won titles by building around centers.
Let's look at some numbers.
The best center of all time, Bill Russell, won 11 rings.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who turns 60 today)? Six titles.
Wilt Chamberlain? Two titles.
Hakeem Olajuwon? Two titles.
Shaquille O'Neal? Four titles.
If you make a list of the best centers of all time, the first player you reach that never won a ring is Patrick Ewing - and his Knicks lost in the Finals to Olajuwon's Rockets.
I'm not quite sure who to compare Durant too, really.
He's definitely a Tracy McGrady/Kevin Garnett type of athlete. Combined rings for those two? Zero.
Both will be incredible pro's. But Oden will have much more jewelry when his career is over.
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with R&L sports writer Brad Norman
Brad Norman
About Me
- Brad Norman
- Statesville, N.C., United States
- I'm a sports writer for the Statesville Record & Landmark covering local high school and county athletics. I graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2006 with a degree in journalism and have worked for the R&L since November 2006. The purpose of this blog is to provide insight and commentary on both local and national sports. www.statesville.com
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4 comments:
Yo Brad,
All the hype about Durant leaving, and possibly Oden as well, I'm just
wondering, who would you take with the number 3 spot? The talent pool
seems to be pretty even across the board after Durant and Oden so is
there a top pick after those two or are teams just hoping to pick up a
decent player?
What if you are a team like the Bucks who just invested a #1 overall pick in a center two years ago (Andrew Bogut) and you get the #1 pick again? Would you take another center knowing they'd have to share minutes or get Durant so both Bogut and Durant can be on the floor? I'm certainly not saying Bogut is Oden, but he is a solid starter at 12 points and 9 boards a game and only 22.
If you asked me this one month ago, I would have said Joakim Noah.
I think Noah really got exposed in the NCAA tournament though - at least his lack of a consistent offensive game and trouble defender bigger posts.
You're right about the talent pool being pretty even across the board after Oden and Durant.
If I had to pick one player right now as the favorite to go No. 3, I'd say Brandan Wright from North Carolina - if he declares, and I think he will.
I really think Al Horford was the third best player in college hoops this year, particularly in March. But Wright is a couple of years younger, has better offensive moves and is more athletic.
But Horford may go No. 3 - it all depends who's picking.
Noah and Georgetown's Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert are at the top of the next wave of prospects.
That's a great question - when I wrote that every team should and will take Oden, the Bucks were the one team I thought could draft Durant.
Bogut's numbers are good, and he is young, but also remember that he tore a ligament in his leg and missed the last 15 or so games of the year.
The Bucks, legitimate playoffs contenders before his injury, now have the third-worst record in the league.
They've had other injuries that have also definitely hurt them, but I think they've seen the need for a consistent big man down low.
And what if there are lingering effects from Bogut's injury?
I hate to use this example, because it's overdone, but I'll do it anyway: The Trailblazers passed on drafting Michael Jordan because they had Clyde Drexler.
Although that's not exactly what this situation could be like, it's similar: passing on the draft's best prospect to fill more of a need.
Durant certainly isn't Sam Bowie - who Portland drafted over His Airness - and with Oden will lead the NBA into a new era.
But I still think, if they have the first pick, Milwaukee should - and will - pick Oden, and play him and Bogut at the same time.
After all, who can defend two 7-footers?
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