The race to go #1 in the 2007 NBA draft is heating up.
Oden vs. Durant
Going into the season, Greg Oden was every experts pick for the top freshman in the nation. Lately, some minds are beginning to change. Bevo Sports, coming off the high of Durant's 30/20 performance, think that Kevin Durant may be better than Oden.
Right now, it's kind of hard to argue with them. Sure, Block O has the injury to fall back on, but Durant is absolutely blowing up. The one upside to this: the odds that Oden will come back for another season go from 60-1 to 30-1 if he's not guaranteed to go #1 in the draft. To be sure, still a long shot, but...
A Look at Antonio Henton
Pfef concludes his 3-part series on the 2007 Buckeye quarterback contestants by examining Antonio Henton. He's a pretty humble guy and Pfef correctly points out that fans should temper their visions of Troy Smith dancing in their heads, but if he's the best candidate to open the season, The Vest will play him.
Sunny in Tuscaloosa
The Wiz points out that Alabama football is free of NCAA investigations and sanctions for the first time in 15 years. Simply astounding. Nick Saban is celebrating this in his own way.
Comments
Did you see that Ironhead Jr. gave his verbal for football & will try out for hoops as well?
http://www.dispatch.com/footba...
No question he is the better player, but in the Association they will play different positions so it will be a matter of need or want for the Celtics.
I don't know what it'll mean for the draft, but I think Kevin Durant is certainly the better player today and is having the better season. It'll all depend on need, and all five of the worst NBA teams have some chump at center right now.
I heard one of the fools on PTI make a good point earlier about how the desired composition for a team could be changing. They pointed to the success of the Phoenix Suns in supporting their argument that Durant could go first.
Both have been a lot of fun to watch. I don't think it can be stressed just how big that NBA rule change has been for the college landscape.
I haven't seen Durant play, but I do see he's putting up outstanding numbers though. But offense isn't everything. If it was, players like Ricky Davis would be a NBA All-Star every year. Is Durant as much of a defensive presence as Oden? At center, I'll take a rebounding & shot-blocking machine over an offensive star almost every time.
Pretty sure someone who puts up a 30/20 has some rebounding skill....maybe that's just me?
Obviously...but at 6'9", Durant will not play center in the NBA. He will most likely be a PF or even a SF. 7'1" centers with skills don't come around too often. As everyone is saying, college hoops hasn't seen it since the early 80s with Ewing & Olajuwon. The presence of Oden in the middle changes everything. Maybe I am underestimating Durant, but I watch every Bucks game & teams obviously stay away from the paint against the Bucks. And Oden is the reason. So whoever sits at the #1 pick in next year's draft has an interesting choice to make (if both Oden & Durant leave early like everyone predicts). Personally, I'd have a heard time passing over a skilled center like Oden who will only get better. He still hasn't fully been able to use his correct shooting hand yet due to the injury. The sky is the limit.
[...] The choices: "Dubs", "Block O", "Odenator", "O’Raser" and "O-Liminator". We changed horses in this race and like our current favorite, but the truth is that they’re all good nicknames. Be sure to stop by and vote. [...]