Joel Embiid

[Nolan]

Oden was considered his generation's Shaq Duncan prospect

And it was silly at the time.

No it wasn't. Oden was a monster on both ends if it wasn't for all the injuries he probably would of lived up to those expectations.

[sikma42]

Oden was considered his generation's Shaq Duncan prospect

And it was silly at the time.

No it wasn't. Oden was a monster on both ends if it wasn't for all the injuries he probably would of lived up to those expectations.

if you mean he was a top c prospect of his generation that was one thing,,,,I'm sure he would have been an all star. But, He was not in the same class as Shaq and Duncan as prospects tho. His post game was underdeveloped and he showed a distinct lack of touch, feel and fluidity.

[Nolan]

And it was silly at the time.

No it wasn't. Oden was a monster on both ends if it wasn't for all the injuries he probably would of lived up to those expectations.

if you mean he was a top c prospect of his generation that was one thing,,,,I'm sure he would have been an all star. But, He was not in the same class as Shaq and Duncan as prospects tho. His post game was underdeveloped and he showed a distinct lack of touch, feel and fluidity.

Ya he was. As for his post game you have to remember he played that entire season at Ohio State with his dominate hand/wrist injured and in a brace and he shot 62% from the field and 63% from the line. Everyone was sold on him becoming a two way force.

I hate when people say Portland screwed that pick up because at the time Oden was a no brainer and was considered a once in generation type prospect.

[No-Man]

What postgame Shaq had? Shaq was a power player, Oden was also a power player.
You just need little tricks and two moves if you are a power player, like Howard does, like Shaq did, like Oden could've.

[Hendrix]

Oden was putting up a 23.3 PER his second season in the league, and that was after a major knee surgery, a wrist surgery, and an injured patela. Can you imagine what kind of numbers he would have put up in his 2nd season if it wern't for those injuries, let alone what he would have been averaging in his 5th season had he had no injuries?

[sikma42]

Shaq had a post game. He could go over either shoulder and had a counter. Besides that, Shaq is the exception to the rule and Oden is no Shaq. Talent wise they are not in the same ball park. In regard to the other two examples Howard was never able to have an offensive ran through him in the post.

[No-Man]

have you seen Oden footage in the video I posted earlier? Shaq postgame wasnt more advanced than that when he was 20-21
And Howard just took a team to the finals with an offense that went through him in the post.
Stop talking nonsense.

[sikma42]

have you seen Oden footage in the video I posted earlier? Shaq postgame wasnt more advanced than that when he was 20-21
And Howard just took a team to the finals with an offense that went through him in the post.
Stop talking nonsense.

Yea, I saw it. And Shaq was way more advanced in the post by that age. Luckily I go by more than one highlight or else I'd forget about all the travels and air balled hook shots.



I watched every single minute Oden played at Ohio State and I'm a lakers fan. I'm familiar with their games.

The only nonsense is you thinking that Orlando team ran their offense through Dwight in the post. But I think is thread has got ten sufficiently off topic and should probably be pushed back towards Joel Embiid.

[Hendrix]

When you are as big as a Mack truck (like Shaq), and play a power game all he needed early on was a a drop step, and a jump hook. He was hardly anything special in terms of skill early on in the post, and he didn't need to be. He was crazy effective with what he did know.

Oden would have been a power player as well that needed very few moves to be effective, and he was on a trajectory that would have placed him as the best C in the game if it wern't for injuries.

[sikma42]

When you are as big as a Mack truck (like Shaq), and play a power game all he needed early on was a a drop step, and a jump hook. He was hardly anything special in terms of skill early on in the post, and he didn't need to be. He was crazy effective with what he did know.

Oden would have been a power player as well that needed very few moves to be effective, and he was on a trajectory that would have placed him as the best C in the game if it wern't for injuries.

Two things...

1. Shaq had a better post game than Oden did at all stages. Oden didn't even have a consistent jump hook with either hand.

2. Athletically, Oden was not even in the same ballpark as Shaq. I don't think he projected better than Bynum and their was no guarantee he was ever gonna reach Howard's level. Problem with this trajectory stuff is that people often assume too much improvement. Oden played a lot of basketball and still didn't have a great touch around the rim. That stuff wasn't gonna change.

[boogie-reke]

Am I still in the Joel Embiid thread?

Just making sure.

[defhalotones]

If healthy, Oden would have been the best center in the NBA. I have no doubts about that. I would take it a step further and say that Oden would have been a surefire Hall of Famer.

As for Embiid, he should definitely go #1, unless the team drafting at the top doesn't need a center.. His game is very fluid for a 19 year old.

[Okada]

Saying Howard didn't have a post-game is a myth. That's about the only damn way he ever scored...

[Hendrix]

1. Shaq had a better post game than Oden did at all stages. Oden didn't even have a consistent jump hook with either hand.


2. Athletically, Oden was not even in the same ballpark as Shaq. I don't think he projected better than Bynum and their was no guarantee he was ever gonna reach Howard's level. Problem with this trajectory stuff is that people often assume too much improvement. Oden played a lot of basketball and still didn't have a great touch around the rim. That stuff wasn't gonna change.

Again. He posted a 23.3 PER in his second year after major surgeries to his knee, wrist, and an injured patella. That is higher than Bynum has ever put up, and higher than Dwight's career average. So, it is hardly off base to suggest that his trajectory would have placed him as the best C in the league.

Oden played his college year using his off hand, becuase he injured his 'good' hand. And, he still dominated. So it's hard to say he had a bad touch.

Yes, Shaq was an athletic freak. I'de say more-so-than Oden. But, Oden was an athletic freak as well. The dude came into the combine at 7 feet tall, 260lbs, and performed better in the 3/4 sprint, vertical jump, and agility tests than most guards, and SF's do.

[CBB_Fan]

Oden would have been the best center in the league. It is okay to compare him to Shaq. Similar playstyles.

But Shaq is better. I can only think of one other person that has ever lived with comparable athleticism at that size. Oden is still elite, but Shaq is on another level of elite. What Lebron is for 6'8" guys, Shaq was for seven footers.

[Bubstubbler]

Pre-draft I thought Oden would be something like a slightly bigger/better Alonzo Mourning if he could stay healthy. I never really saw Oden as a potential 30ppg guy like Shaq, more of a low 20's guy with elite defense, like Zo was early in his career.

size-wise from sports-reference.com:

6'10" 240 - Mourning
7'0" 250 - Oden
7'0" 250 - Embiid
7'1" 325 - Shaq

Shaq was a 2-legged bison masquerading as a man.

[No-Man]

Oden was 260, Embiid is 240.
O'Neal was 7'2 and 300 pounds by draft time.
Zo was 6'10.5 and 250.

[MGrand15]

If Embiid can go to a smart team that will give him solid playing time off the bat, he''s going to be a major problem. He needs to bulk up but man, this guy has A LOT of tools. Very skilled and athletic. Would definitely consider taking him 1.

[OleSchool]

I thought I read an article just last week saying he is up to 250. Either way this is the guy I want for the Sixers

[Talent Chaser]

I think we are enamored with Embiid's potential, but it's scary how quickly he is improving. He might hit his ceiling as a player far earlier than anyone is expecting. By the the time the draft rolls around he will be the consensus #1 pick.