Oden/Durant vs Horford/Thornton

Kosta · Post #1 » by **Kosta** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:42 am

Maybe it's just me here, but I really, really like the Horford/Thornton and think both these guys have the potential to be perennial all-star caliber players in the future. Now Oden/Durant were getting all the hype before draft, Oden got injured and Durant has been pretty ordinary his rookie season, nothing but a high volume scorer, I thought he was going to have more of an impact early on. Thornton on the other hand, wow, this guy has been unreal when given big minutes, he's blowing up of late, putting together big scoring games. He's 23, but I see this guy being a real late bloomer, he won't reach his full potential until 26/27. And Horford is playing like a steady vet for the Hawks, he's a double-double machine and is a freak athletically, his offensive game is real raw, kind of like Dwight's his first 2 seasons, not as dominant around the rim, but you can see the offensive potential there.

When its all said and done do you think it's reasonable to believe Horford/Thornton have a shot at being the better pros over the highly touted number 1,2 picks of '06?

Jemini80 · Post #2 » by **Jemini80** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:22 am

No. Thorton plays for the Clippers so he will never win anything and struggle to make the playoffs. I'm guessing you haven't been watching how Durant has changed in the past 2 months? Even if Oden has a Bill Walton shortened career he will still accomplish more than Horford and Thornton combined.

Durant is about to be paired with a probable top 5 pick, Oden's team is already good and will end up trading one of the following 3 players for players that better fit their team (sergio, Aldridge, Webster).

Thornton is 24 now btw.

Post #3 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:44 am

Oden and Durant, not close, not even almost.

I'd take Oden OR Durant over the other two to be honest.

Kosta · Post #4 » by **Kosta** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:59 am

NO-KG-AI wrote:Oden and Durant, not close, not even almost.

I'd take Oden OR Durant over the other two to be honest.

I'd personally take Horford/Thornton over Durant, but only because I'm real high on Al. I think his age is the thing people like to harp on, but I see so much potential in him even at 23.

ponder276 · Post #5 » by **ponder276** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 1:11 pm

This year: Horford/Thornton
Future: Oden/Durant easily, as long as Oden's knee heals up nicely. I like Al Thornton too, but come on, Durant was WAY more potential. Durant is 19 and physically under-developed, Thornton is 24 and physically about as developed as he's gonna get. I don't think I need to tell you that Oden has way more potential than Horford - Oden can be a serious shot-blocking force, is a true center (Horford is more of a PF), and is generally gonna be more of a game changer than Horford on both ends of the floor (ASSUMING he's healthy, which is definitely a big assumption).

Cammo101 · Post #6 » by **Cammo101** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:37 pm

As one of the few people on this board who was pumping up Thornton before the draft, you gotta go with Durant and Oden. Put Durant and a healthy Oden in the situation that Thornton and Horford are in and they would both be better.

conleyorbust · Post #7 » by **conleyorbust** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:49 pm

I think Oden is going to be unbelievable - his absolute floor is a Tyson Chandler with better timing/hands and muscle.

I'm not as high on Durant (and couldn't believe it when people said he should be the first pick) but I think he'll be a great player down the road because he is almost certainly gonna work his ass off.

Horford has been a great for us, he's done everytihng the Hawks have asked him to. He just doesn't have the size/athleticism that Oden does and you can't teach that.

I don't really like Al T. He's two years older than Josh Smith and has even less bball IQ. Corey Maggette part deux is his peak, which isn't bad by any means if he can get there.

Teddy KGB · Post #8 » by **Teddy KGB** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:55 pm

I agree with Sal. I take Durant or Oden over the other pair.

PaKwAn · Post #9 » by **PaKwAn** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 5:07 pm

Durant and Oden.....These guys have a bright future ahead of them and a very high potential to be great as well....As good as thornton has been,his upside is not that high compared to those two..Im not saying that he isn't going to be good,yes he will be but not as good as those two could be...Durant and Oden are like 19 by the way,or maybe just durant but come on oden acts like his 19 so lets just say his 19 and not 60,but at 60 that guy has potential....

Kosta · Post #10 » by **Kosta** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 6:32 pm

Just to make it clear, I'm not necessarily asking if you'd take Oden/Durant over Horford/Thornton at this time, more so how likely do you think it is one of those guys (or both) have a shot at being better players in the future.

farzi · Post #11 » by **farzi** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:15 pm

Jemini80 wrote:Durant is about to be paired with a probable top 5 pick, Oden's team is already good and will end up trading one of the following 3 players for players that better fit their team (sergio, Aldridge, Webster).

Thornton is 24 now btw.

Um...what?
:crazy:

Cammo101 · Post #12 » by **Cammo101** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:55 pm

If Portland is moving aldridge pretty please call Orlando.

PDXKnight · Post #13 » by **PDXKnight** » Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:11 pm

Cammo101 wrote:If Portland is moving aldridge pretty please call Orlando.

We'll call and hang up. :lol:

The Oden/Durant combo definitely wins out.

sh00n · Post #14 » by **sh00n** » Wed Apr 2, 2008 8:35 am

This isn't even close. . . at least pair Horford with Roy to make things interesting.