Greg Oden - The next Shaq?

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Im sure a lot of you have heard of him. He was named the Nations #1 high school player as Junior, to join on Lebron James with the same honor. At the end of his Sophmore year, scouts said they would take him with the first pick over Howard who was selected first. Thats a crazy fact if you ask me. He was THAT good as a sophmore to be the #1 pick in last years draft and would be in next years but the CBA was completed and therefor he must wait till' 2007. He has his own web site, http://www.gregoden.com

Here is a recent article about him found on his site along with other info and articles, etc.

Lawrence North's Oden Now Must Wait Until 2007 Draft

The Associated Press

June 22. 2005

Lawrence North's Greg Oden had been considered a possible No. 1 draft pick in next year's NBA draft.

The 7-foot center now have to wait until at least 2007 to make his move to the pros under the new NBA labor agreement announced Tuesday that requires players from the United States to wait a year after their high school class graduates.

"It's said and done, so there's nothing you can do about it now," Oden told The Indianapolis Star. "I'm not sad, but I feel bad for whenever the next LeBron (James) comes along and he has to go to college and something happens, either he gets injured or doesn't live up to expectations."

Oden led Lawrence North to its second straight Class 4A championship in March and was chosen national player of the year by USA Today, Gatorade and Parade magazine. Projected as a top NBA draft pick next year, he has said repeatedly he wants to play college ball.

Even though he was projected as a top NBA draft pick next year, Oden has said repeatedly he wants to play college ball. He has narrowed his choices to Indiana , Ohio State , Michigan State and Wake Forest .

Oden's mother said she was upset that the NBA changed the draft rule, but did not plan to challenge it in court.

"I'm teed off because I just don't understand what they're trying to prove or what this will accomplish," Zoe Oden said. "This means that Greg is held back a year. The option has been taken from him."

Lawrence North point guard Mike Conley said the NBA labor agreement will ease the pressure on his teammate.

"It's good for him because even though he's forced to go to college, he wants to go to college," Conley said. "Now, he doesn't have the pressure of millions of dollars in his face."



It seems his Mother is the only one who wants him to go to the NBA. He has always planned on going to college.

I also think he should go to Wake Forest. Wake seemed to shape Tim up well. Im still trying to find some video on the kid but I do have a idea that is relevant to the Kings.
- Tank the 06-07 season and get the first round pick and draft Oden as our center.

 

[thesanityannex]

. Im still trying to find some video on the kid but I do have a idea that is relevant to the Kings.
- Tank the 06-07 season and get the first round pick and draft Oden as our center.

If thats your plan, what do you plan on doing the entire 06-07 season, watching the WNBA? Why don't we just tank it five years in a row so we can get five first picks and have a bunch of 19-22 year old hopefuls on our team?

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

You obviously dont know about this kid if you think there is another one out there. He is better than Lebron and look what Lebron has done. I was also being sarcastic. I have previously stated that I never want the Kings to tank a season.

 

[Bricklayer]

If thats your plan, what do you plan on doing the entire 06-07 season, watching the WNBA? Why don't we just tank it five years in a row so we can get five first picks and have a bunch of 19-22 year old hopefuls on our team?

If the guy was a 100% sure thing to be Shaq #2, AND you were 100% sure that you could get the #1 pick, I think its entirely possible that your franchise would end up doing far better over the next 15 years having tanked to get the kid than fought on wiht lesser non-once in a generation talents.

But as nothing is guaranteed, obviously not unless you are struggling anyway.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

If the guy was a 100% sure thing to be Shaq #2, AND you were 100% sure that you could get the #1 pick, I think its entirely possible that your franchise would end up doing far better over the next 15 years having tanked to get the kid than fought on wiht lesser non-once in a generation talents.

But as nothing is guaranteed, obviously not unless you are struggling anyway.

Thats true. And if you are compared and being talked about as being the next Shaq or dominant center as a Sophmore in HS (14-16 years old) then you must be one hell of a player. I think some franchises would tank a season to get him, especially if he has a dominant freshman college year but I dont think the Maloofs would, even if it could make us far better for the next 15 years like Brick said.

 

[thesanityannex]

You obviously dont know about this kid if you think there is another one out there. He is better than Lebron and look what Lebron has done. I was also being sarcastic. I have previously stated that I never want the Kings to tank a season.

To compare him to LeBron is outrageous. They play completely different positions and have different styles of play. And wasn't Eddie Curry supposed to be the next Shaq??? The kid (Oden) can't shoot AT ALL. He's dominating high school kids, wow. I agree he is the best of his age group, but nothing to tank a season over. I must not read your sarcasm very well

 

[SDKing]

Okay, first of all I think that this guy is a 30 year old high school sophomore. Did you see him? Secondly, I think that he created his own website, the writing is terrible.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

To compare him to LeBron is outrageous. They play completely different positions and have different styles of play. And wasn't Eddie Curry supposed to be the next Shaq??? The kid can't shoot AT ALL. He's dominating high school kids. I agree he is the best of his age group, but nothing to tank a season over. I must not read your sarcasm very well

I dont remember comparing Lebron and Oden. All I said is Oden's skill, and game in HS is better than Lebrons was. This is Highschool... A center in High School could play point guard in college or NBA (Oakland,CA School has a perfect example -Kyle Spane-). I wouldnt think to much about positions when in HS. Oden cant shoot very well either, can Shaq?

Nothing to tank a season over? You are simply replying to start an argument with no background info. He would have been the best Highschool player to go to the NBA directly. Kevin, Amare, Lebron, etc... He is, as many scouts have said, good enough to be the #1 pick in the NBA draft two years in a row and probably 4 since he has his senior and freshman years to go.

 

[thesanityannex]

. He is better than Lebron and look what Lebron has done. .

Well, if this isn't comparing two people, then I don't know what is. I'm not in disagreement that the kid can play, just the tanking the season part, which I noted I did not see your sarcasm. So, this is not an argument. Calm down, have a glass of water, and we can resume discussing Oden.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Im calm and simply compairing their skill in HS, which is very easy to compare and you havent been a member here that long but I have previously stated that I would never tank a season so now you know that I was being sarcastic.

If you knew he would be the next Shaq you wouldnt tank 1 season to get him? I doubt that.

Not saying that he will be but not many people have spoken so highly of a High school Junior before.

 

[loopymitch]

His mom needs to get over it, that's great he wants to go to college.More power to him.

 

[thesanityannex]

Im calm and simply compairing their skill in HS, which is very easy to compare and you havent been a member here that long but I have previously stated that I would never tank a season so now you know that I was being sarcastic.

If you knew he would be the next Shaq you wouldnt tank 1 season to get him? I doubt that.

Not saying that he will be but not many people have spoken so highly of a High school Junior before.

I haven't been a contributing member here long but I've been a lurker for many years as a guest, so out with that assumption. And no, I wouldn't tank a season to get him. Assuming he will be Shaq is no good, Eddie Curry was talked about as "the next Shaq" when he was in highschool, they even had a show on t.v. about him. I don't see Curry dominating like Shaq. And to tank a team to DEVELOP a "Shaq like" player, which Orlando did (Shaq), obviously didn't work. Although, picking this kid/man after he has established himself, makes much more sense.(Lakers)

 

[Bricklayer]

I haven't been a contributing member here long but I've been a lurker for many years as a guest, so out with that assumption. And no, I wouldn't tank a season to get him. Assuming he will be Shaq is no good, Eddie Curry was talked about as "the next Shaq" when he was in highschool, they even had a show on t.v. about him. I don't see Curry dominating like Shaq. And to tank a team to DEVELOP a "Shaq like" player, which Orlando did (Shaq), obviously didn't work. Although, picking this kid/man after he has established himself, makes much more sense.(Lakers)

I don't know what you're talking about with it not working for Orlando -- it was working BEAUTIFULLY for Orlando. Shaq's years there were their absolute Golden Years, they made it to the Finals (something we have yet to do), were an elite squad. Who knows where it all would have went if Shaq had stayed, and Penny had remained healthy. Can say with some degree of certainty that they would have been more successful years than they were without him.

And unfortunately you want the a superstar, by far the most likely method to get your hands on him is to get bad for a year or two.

 

[thesanityannex]

You said it yourself "was working beautifully" Point is Shaq left. Had he stayed, different story and Orlando has a couple rings. I'd see the same happening if we were to develop a young star, (like many of our roleplayers, once other teams saw their potential, they took from us or we gave to them.)

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

I haven't been a contributing member here long but I've been a lurker for many years as a guest, so out with that assumption. And no, I wouldn't tank a season to get him. Assuming he will be Shaq is no good, Eddie Curry was talked about as "the next Shaq" when he was in highschool, they even had a show on t.v. about him. I don't see Curry dominating like Shaq. And to tank a team to DEVELOP a "Shaq like" player, which Orlando did (Shaq), obviously didn't work. Although, picking this kid/man after he has established himself, makes much more sense.(Lakers)

Ok, let me say it differently. You havent been a involved member for long, and probably didnt see a huge thread we had last year about things exactly like this and tanking seasons, etc, therefor you didnt see my stand on it. If you think the hype around Curry is even close to what the hype around Oden is then you are very wrong. The argument that that Curry was supposed to be the next Shaq and wasnt has nothing to do with Oden. Was Curry wasnt even close to as good as Oden is now.

You keep skipping over what Brick and I are trying to say and changing it around. You wouldnt tank one meaningless season that the Kings are obviously not going anywhere unless a trade and good draft occur, to take a player that scouts and analysts may be 80-90+% confident that he would become as good as shaq? He still has one more year in HS.

Its the same thing as Lebron. Everyone knew that Lebron would be a great NBA player, not as great as he has become but it was obvious after watching game after game of him dominating in HS. Same thing with Oden. Scouts dont say that a sophmore in HS would have been a #1 pick if they werent positive he would produce in the NBA.

 

[thesanityannex]

Ok, let me say it differently. You havent been a involved member for long, and probably didnt see a huge thread we had last year about things exactly like this and tanking seasons, etc, therefor you didnt see my stand on it. If you think the hype around Curry is even close to what the hype around Oden is then you are very wrong. The argument that that Curry was supposed to be the next Shaq and wasnt has nothing to do with Oden. Was Curry wasnt even close to as good as Oden is now.

You keep skipping over what Brick and I are trying to say and changing it around. You wouldnt tank one meaningless season that the Kings are obviously not going anywhere unless a trade and good draft occur, to take a player that scouts and analysts may be 80-90+% confident that he would become as good as shaq? He still has one more year in HS.

Its the same thing as Lebron. Everyone knew that Lebron would be a great NBA player, not as great as he has become but it was obvious after watching game after game of him dominating in HS. Same thing with Oden. Scouts dont say that a sophmore in HS would have been a #1 pick if they werent positive he would produce in the NBA.

First, I'm not sure I understand numerous sentences and what your are trying to convey, the wording or grammatical is hard to grasp. That may be wherein the confusion lies

Second, get YOUR facts straight. Greg Oden is averaging 14 & 10. Eddy Curry averaged 20 & 10 in high school(24.6 pts, 11.2 rbs, 4.8 blks in jr year). So explain to me, at their relative high school ages, how Oden was better, regardless of the "hype factor"

Last, with only an 80-90% chance of him becoming Shaq, again NO, I would not tank a season. Now, if it was 100%, that's different, but only Ms. Cleo could tell us that.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

First, I'm not sure I understand numerous sentences and what your are trying to convey, the wording or grammatical is hard to grasp. That may be wherein the confusion lies

Second, get YOUR facts straight. Greg Oden is averaging 14 & 10. Eddy Curry averaged 20 & 10 in high school(24.6 pts, 11.2 rbs, 4.8 blks in jr year). So explain to me, at their relative high school ages, how Oden was better, regardless of the "hype factor"

Last, with only an 80-90% chance of him becoming Shaq, again NO, I would not tank a season. Now, if it was 100%, that's different, but only Ms. Cleo could tell us that.

Get me facts straight? That was funny, seeing how you think statistics show how good someone is. Some highschool kid averaged over 50, and decent rebounding and assisting and ive never heared his name more than once.

Now this goes for both but if Curry played against a bunch of Centers who were 6'4 then I would expect those stats. The reason you cant compare them statistically is because they never play eachother or the same opponents. Oden could have much tougher centers and bigger centers in his league, etc.

You need to look at their maturity level, handling, basketball IQ, movement, flexibility, strength, and natural skill. Statistics mean nothing in HS untill you play against the best and that goes for both.

 

[BibityBobtyBoom]

if a player averaged that many points, you would definitely hear about him because he would be one of the best highschool players ever. Statistics do mean something. The only reason anyone talks about oden is because he is so tall. And the only thing that bothers me is that hoops or something magazine took credit for discovering him when slam had him in their magazine a month or 2 before.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Bibity- The guy who scored 50+ a game was at the All American game but he isnt going anywhere after that. Sure he was a good High School player, not one of the best. Its all about competition. If the competition is weak and you score 50 a game how does that make you a good player if you would struggle to 10 points against a good opponent? Just something to keep in mind.

 

[thesanityannex]

. Was Curry wasnt even close to as good as Oden is now.
.

Well, this sentence doesn't make sense, but I think I know what you are trying to say. And you are right, he wasn't close to as good, HE WAS BETTER, statistically speaking. And that is all we have to go off of since they are five years apart and never played eachother.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

Well, this sentence doesn't make sense, but I think I know what you are trying to say. And you are right, he wasn't close to as good, HE WAS BETTER, statistically speaking. And that is all we have to go off of since they are five years apart and never played eachother.

Yah sorry, I type fast and dont correct.

Well yeah, many players are better or were better than Oden but thats statistically. Well see what happens after next season. I still hope he goes to Wake Forest and excells.

 

[thesanityannex]

Bottom line=it's all hype until he comes to the league.

 

[funkykingston]

Wow a two page argument about a kid that no one has seen.

Am I wrong? Has anyone here actually watched an entire game of this kid?

I haven't.

Even when/if I do, it will be tough to project what I see to the NBA. Guys who play inside are doubly tough to evaluate as high schoolers. At least wings have a plethora of skills that are visible regardless of the competition: shooting stroke, ball handling, court vision.

I've heard Oden's name quite a few times and read a few articles on him. He seems legit. Of course, Felipe Lopez was on the cover of Sports Illustrated before he ever played a game in college. I wonder where he is now?

 

[quick dog]

Here he is.

 

[VF21]

Bottom line=it's all hype until he comes to the league.

That just about sums it all up.

 

[SacTownKing]

..

I just got irritated reading this thread.

First off :
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/recruiting/071504.htm

Next off I've never heard of him before so obviously he isn't close to Lebron status in high school.

And another , you say stats don't mean anything and say you must watch him play and you've probably never seen him play yourself.

Big men in high school dominate all the time , are you getting payed to promote this kid or what?

Not trying to be rude , but this thread was pretty much a huge cloud of uninformed rambling and unsupported hype.

 

[LPKingsFan]

My only comment is that he does look a LeBron-esque manchild. How old is he? 17? Wow

 

[BibityBobtyBoom]

you haven't heard his hype because he was only a sophomore and is now a junior, thats why. Lebron's major hype started towards the end of his junior season, but oden is already getting more exposure that lebron at that age

 

[VF21]

I just got irritated reading this thread.

First off :
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/recruiting/071504.htm

Next off I've never heard of him before so obviously he isn't close to Lebron status in high school.

And another , you say stats don't mean anything and say you must watch him play and you've probably never seen him play yourself.

Big men in high school dominate all the time , are you getting payed to promote this kid or what?

Not trying to be rude , but this thread was pretty much a huge cloud of uninformed rambling and unsupported hype.

The nice thing about Kingsfans.com is if you're not interested in the discussion of one thread, there's always another one...

If you're not interested in discussing Oden, you can just move on to the next thread.

 

[slugking50]

Isn't this Oden kid the kid they refferred to as "Baby Shaq" a few years ago?