Who says Greg Oden isn't ready for the NBA?

Boots, that's such a dumb line and SO WRONG on multiple levels. David Robinson was virtually unrecruited in HS and was ONLY 6'7" when he enrolled at the Naval Academy (look it up), that's the only reason he got past the Academy's height limit requirement. He then had a massive growth spurt, but didn't reach the 7'1" frame until his JUNIOR year--he was one of the all-time late bloomers physically. DR as a frosh was NOWHERE near where Oden is now. And Stanley Roberts was doughy, overweight, and had nowhere near Oden's quickness and athletic gifts. And just the statement that "Oden's not that physically impressive as a freshman" is SO PATENTLY DUMB--he's gotta be the most freakishly impressive frosh specimen since Shaq enrolled at LSU.

 

I still think he was more of a freak of nature at Tennessee pre-ACL than he was for the Ravens.

 

I remember David. I covered David so I don't have to look it up. Yes he had a growth spurt. Stanley was chubby but still impressive.
I'm not a big Oden guy. Is that a crime?

 

boots, no one says you have to like Oden.

But when you say ridiculous shit like he's "not physically impressive" you have to expect to take some shit.

 

How do I reconcile my first paragraph with my last? Pretty simple.

I'm not Greg Oden. I think he has gifts that he can parlay into a lucrative career. He will never have a chance to make more money than he does right this second. He's probably going no. 1. If he stays another year and has a great season, can he move up ahead of no. 1?

It's not cynicsm. It's realism. If he wants to play in the NBA and get paid legally, he should go now.

This isn't the deep moral quandry you're trying to make it. I'm not sure what's so difficult about living your life one way yet not expecting others in a different position to act likewise. I gave up on hoping priviledged athletes would live by the same ideals and beliefs as me many years ago.

 

Of course its not a crime, but when you try to back it up by asserting blatantly wrong and ridiculous bullshit, you better expect to be called on it. BTW, if you knew about the way Robinson entered Navy and his late growth spurt then you also knew your statement about him as a freshman was bullshit. Did you think we just wouldn't catch it?

 

I'm not wading through five pages of this, so if this has already been said, feel free to browbeat me mercilessly. But Oden's value will never be higher. He'll be the No. 1 or 2 player chosen in the draft. His value can only go down. Logically, then, staying another season would be a foolish decision financially. Same goes for Durant. Neither can enhance his value, so staying makes no sense.

 

C'mon Boots, you're not this stupid.
David Robinson was a 6-7, 6-8 freshman at Navy who played less than 10 minutes a game and scored about 7 points a game.

And even at his NBA peak he never weighed more than about 240. Oden is what, 260-265 already.

David in his prime was never built the way Oden is now... let alone as a skinny 6-8 Middie.

 

Look David had a growth spurt. Oden is a big boy but to be honest, I'm not overly impressed with him physically. Of the athletes that I've been around only one really impressed me physically and that was Karl Malone. He was big, strong, athletic looking and powerful.
Oden comes out. He'll make money. No question. However, I see many flaws in his game that will be exposed if he came out now. I'd like to see him work on those areas before leaving Ohio State.
However, I do understand that he could work on his game and make a lot of money at the same time. It's a tough choice for anyone.

 

boots, this is starting to border on pornographic.

Only Karl Malone impressed you physically?

Should he be the only one allowed to play in the NBA?

 

Don't be stupid all of your life zeke. You're better than that. I want you to answer that question. I'm sure it will be a great answer.

 

Why, exactly should he "work on those areas before leaving Ohio State" when he can work on those areas with professional coaches? While getting paid millions of dollars. And not having to bother with remaining eligible.

Is demolishing college kids really going to prepare him for facing grown men in the NBA? Is Thad Matta God's gift to coaching? If not, then I STILL haven't heard even a remotely decent reason for Oden to not go pro.