What was his skillset? What could it have eventually developed into?
What was his true (realistic) ceiling as a player?
What are some apt player comparisons?
I've always thought he shared a lot in common with Dwight physically, minus a difference here and there. Taller and naturally bigger/stronger with a sturdier base, but not quite as athletic.
The more obvious differences lie not with anthropometry and athleticism but in the basketball skillset. Greg was decidedly a better free-throw shooter and more fluid in the post with better hands. His defensive instincts appeared sharper but with a tendency toward fouling.
The free-throw shooting and fluid basketball movements give me confidence he would've eventually developed a more capable jump shot.
In today's game, his offense would mostly consist of rolling, cutting, faking hand-offs, dump-offs, lobs, putbacks, transition buckets, and select post-ups on mismatches and with deep position established. If he develops the mid-range shot, you could add some popping to his PnR game and some mid-post/elbow possessions. Like Anthony Davis but stronger and sturdier, making him a better, more efficient finisher inside.
That being said, I think his true ceiling would've been something of a Tim Duncan/Dwight Howard mix. A perennial rebounding champ and defensive player of the year candidate. A 20-25 ppg, 12-15 rpg, 2.5-3 bpg, 55% FG+, 70%+ FT guy in his prime.
Any thoughts or criticisms toward that?
Here is a comparison of Oden and Howard's combine measurements.
Draft Measurements: (2004 vs. 2007)
Give me your thoughts.
