Great quote from Chad Ford on the Oden vs. Durant debate Tyler (Portland) Is it time to get...

Great quote from Chad Ford on the Oden vs. Durant debate

Tyler (Portland)
Is it time to get excited about Greg Oden or should I hold off for a little longer?

Chad Ford (1:09 PM)

I think so. He's got a PER at 22 ... just slightly behind Kevin Durant this year. He's definitely a defensive force. Offensively he's still figuring it out. I know he's had 16, 16, and 24 in his last 3 games, but I don't think he'll keep that up this year. If I'm a Blazers fan I just need 12 to 14 ppg, 10 to12 rpg, 2 bpg and Oden on the floor 25 to 30 min a night. That would be huge. I don't think he'll ever put up the big numbers that Shaq did. But he could be the best big man defender in the league. And frankly, having a 7 footer that can do that will produce more rings than a 6-11 small forward who can score 30 ppg. That was the thinking all along why GMs preferred Oden to Durant. KD is the sexier player and as an offensive player there is just no comparison. KD is great. Oden is aspiring to average. But defensively, Oden could be dominant. KD ... not so much.

about 2 years ago rip_city_swagger 8 comments 2 recs |

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Just saw this, gotta love Ford

He also said given the choice he’d pick Oden over Bynum.

Lance (Pdx )

Which young NBA big man would you rather have? Bynum or Oden

Chad Ford (1:40 PM)

Oden. But that’s not a knock on Bynum. He’s been great this year.

by kobisportsguy on Nov 24, 2009 10:46 AM PST reply actions

Get real Oden is aspiring to average?

Do these people even watch the games? Do they watch the people just cring away from the rim. Or Oden going back up carry two oponents up to dunk it back in. Oden is dominant! KD=TO. simular players different teams with different players.

by prof.mike on Nov 24, 2009 10:52 AM PST reply actions

Oden is a game changer no doubt.

However, until he gets his foul problems fully figured out he will only be an average to slightly above average producer. I’d agree with the statement as it stands now. 10 PPG and 8.5 RPG aren’t exactly striving to be elite…yet. Oden’s post game comments last night would say that too. Oden knows you have to be good before you are great and is taking the necessary steps to accomplish that goal.

What are you impressions of Roy?
"He's just a very, very good basketball player. Very smart. Very heady. He can do a little bit of everything on the court. As coaches, when we scout Portland we kind of put him in the same category as Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James), Dwyane Wade. We treat him the same. He's that good."

- Byron Scott

by CMCWizard on Nov 24, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

He meant aspiring to average offensively.

This is only Oden’s second year, and he’s still figuring it out. Once he gets a few moves down, he’’ll be dominant on O too, but this year he is not the best offensive center in the league …

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Nov 24, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

Need to read it in context

Average Offensive numbers is exactly what Oden is aiming for. He even said after last nights game that he wants to get 11-12 points a game and pick it up when Brandon and LA are off. Ford is right on the money. Thats why he gets sig time!

Chad Ford on Oden, "He's definitely a defensive force... I don't think he'll ever put up the big numbers that Shaq did. But he could be the best big man defender in the league... frankly, having a 7 footer that can do that will produce more rings than a 6-11 small forward who can score 30 ppg. That was the thinking all along why GMs preferred Oden to Durant. KD is the sexier player and as an offensive player there is just no comparison. KD is great. Oden is aspiring to average. But defensively, Oden could be dominant. KD ... not so much."

Could have said it better myself. Thanks Mr. Ford!

by MadBlaze on Nov 24, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

aspiring to average a double double with 10+ rpg and 10 blocks per game.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".

...no seriously--stop.

by nima on Nov 24, 2009 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

they key part of that whole quote...

is not the part I bolded – it was just because that part highlighted the GO vs. KD comparison…

The most important statement in there is:

If I’m a Blazers fan I just need 12 to 14 ppg, 10 to12 rpg, 2 bpg and Oden on the floor 25 to 30 min a night.

I don’t expect him to put up 24/game like he did vs. Chicago last night, but Ford’s saying the same thing I have since we drafted him…who cares about the scoring? He can get 10-15ppg just on put backs and around the basket garbage. But if he can average double-digit rebounds and 2-3 blocks per game, then he’s really contributing and our team goes to a whole new level

by rip_city_swagger on Nov 24, 2009 11:53 AM PST reply actions