Some Positive for Oden from Thorpe (ESPN)

by lanepete on Nov 26, 2008 12:26 PM PST

I dont think i have heard anyone compare Oden to Horford, but this is a great little synopsis by David Thorpe who puts Oden at #7:

This slimmer version of Oden is starting to make an impact already. He's third among all rookies in PER, and is the best defensive rebounder and second-best offensive rebounder of the class.

He is also craftier on offense than he gets credit for, using patience and some slight shoulder feints to create better angles for finishing. And he is a long way from figuring it out, which is scary to consider.

Remember how everyone was so impressed with how Al Horford started the season last year? Horford's 8.7 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game last November tagged him as the big man to watch in the coming years. Oden is at 8.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg, but is playing 12 minutes per game fewer than Horford did. Add in Oden's 1.67 blocks per game (almost double what Al did last year: 0.94), and then consider he's 18 months younger than Big Al, and it's more than possible that Oden will grow to be as special a player as the hype suggested

Very interesting comparison, i like that.

Just interesting, what do you think about comparing Oden to Horford???

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Expectations

That is the only real difference. Horford wasn’t expected to be that good right away, Oden is expected to be more

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Nov 26, 2008 1:34 PM PST reply actions

Always like Thorpe's candid analysis

-T

Oden and LaMarcus and Roy, oh my!

by Quik_Baller on Nov 26, 2008 1:45 PM PST reply actions

Just not his trade suggestions

"For such a dumb kid, you've got a pretty smart mouth."

by Norsktroll on Nov 26, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions

that trade suggestion was whack

but yes, it is pretty candid.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 26, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

And in addition, his analysis on Rudy, i agree with 100%

As talented and experienced as Fernandez is, he can still learn a lot about the NBA game. Consider the Blazers-Suns game on Saturday night: Rudy had struggled from the field as he entered the fourth quarter, hitting just 1-of-5 shots. He executed a side pick-and-roll, and the Suns switched, leaving Boris Diaw on him in space at the top of the key.

This was a perfect opportunity to work for an easy basket around the rim or draw a foul and get two free throws — both options could have worked towards getting him back on track.

Instead, he made a few basic dribble moves and settled for a half step-back/half fade-away jumper from 17 feet. It wasn’t close. And he didn’t make another shot or score another point in the game. It was his only attempt from inside the arc (1-for-9 overall), and it could have been a turning point in this game for him

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 26, 2008 2:10 PM PST reply actions

More Thorpe from his chat:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=23818

Matt (SFO): Thorpedo! what you think about travis outlaw? kid is raw and making huge strides, as the talent expert, what do you see?

SportsNation David Thorpe: He’s becoming one of my faves in the league. I just always see him smiling and happy, and competing hard. Beautiful to see from such a talent.

Dee (Portland): With Rudy and Roy in Portland, and Blake playing well, am I alone in thinking that Bayless is a bad fit for that team?

SportsNation David Thorpe: Not a bad fit, just not a spot for him. As of today.

Herm (LA) : hawes or oden? bill bradly of the sac bee wrote an article on this today choosing hawes.

SportsNation David Thorpe: Of course he did. But right now I’d say Oden with ease. But I love Hawes.

Nate (Palo Alto, CA): Rudy Fernandez’s production has dropped off now that teams are closing out on his threes. As a coach, what counter move off the dribble should Rudy focus on developing?

SportsNation David Thorpe: Shot fake attack stuff.

Greg (Denver, CO): Nuggets — this year’s dark horse?

SportsNation David Thorpe: Probably. Portland intrigues me too.

Pacman, Orlando: Better fit for the Magic? Crittenton, Lowry or Sergio?

SportsNation David Thorpe: Lowry-SVG loves tough defenders.

by poster on Nov 26, 2008 2:26 PM PST reply actions

good find - thorpe seems to love us, i disagree about Travis Outlaw.

I also found this, not from Thorpe, but portland is the 3rd most improved Offense:

3. Portland Trail Blazers (+4.2)
2007-08: 108.6 (15)
2008-09: 112.8 (3)
The buzz: Greg Oden’s impact hasn’t been fully felt yet, but Rudy Fernandez has given the Blazers an extra weapon. Portland is still a young team coming into their own, and remember that Brandon Roy is only in his third year.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 26, 2008 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

from nba.com

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Nov 26, 2008 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

You don't see Travis smiling?

by tominhawaii on Nov 27, 2008 3:24 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I think Trout gets my vote for Most Improved Smiling! :)

One good wise crack deserves another…

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog

by LaMarvelous on Nov 27, 2008 10:28 PM PST up reply actions

During the offseason

I used Horford as an example of a rookie big man averaging a double double and a block, with no (and I mean zero) plays run for him… to show that it isn’t crazy that Oden could easily average a double double his rookie year (during the offseason, it seemed like a lot of people didn’t think that possible).

I also added that Oden destroyed Horford in the Championship game, and is bigger in every direction, and when healthy is more athletic. I also really, really, really like Horford.

So yeah, I think it isn’t a great COMPARISON really (as they aren’t similar players, per se) but a great example of what should be seen as a good to great rookie year.

Yup… (leans back)… I saw this Oden/Horford thing coming the whoooole way… (rests hands on top of head and leans back on his rocking chair).

Morty

by Mortimer on Nov 26, 2008 5:32 PM PST reply actions