Craziness.

They guy is a shot blocker, rebounder extraordinare.
That is enough for Portland right now. His injury is one
of the more severe. If he gets in NBA shape, with time,
he will get the offense down.

He will be a force this year if he gets minutes and stays
injury free. Without any offense he is a force.

I have a sick feeling he will be one of those that is
constantly limping around. Sad. And those wrinkle free
ointments are a must.

Hey i didnt say it.

I probably saw him play 10 or 12 times in college, most of the games he was coming off of an injury to his wrist. He is extremely athletic for his size which is why he was drafted number 1. That and the fact he played really well during the tournament when seemingly healthy. There is no doubt that he has a really scary history of injuries but his peak potential (if he ever gets there) is a whole lot better than just about any other big guy out there. I think he reminds me a lot of Ewing in size and the way he moves but of course Ewing had 4 years of college experience coming into the league. Ewing also developed an offensive game that he wasnt asked to do in college. Simply not having much experience is so hard for a guy like Oden because he has never had to match up against really good big guys in HS or even much in college and has always been the best player on the court. You really have to give him at least this year and probably next before we will be able to really see what he has got or where he is going.

Exactly.

Ewing (and mutombo for that matter) had the best college coach for big men ever.

Ok. You are nuts.
Look at the man play.

Why was Lebron James drafted #1 without playing a single college season/game?

Sorry there were plenty of people that thought
Lebron would be overwhelmed by the pro game.
He plays maybe 27 games in a high school season
without traveling coast to coast to play 82 games? You dont think there
was some concern about adjusting?

Go back and try to remember the numerous legitimate arguements
about why he would take lots of time adjusting. He was not even playing
against pro athletes in these HS games. And suprisingly he was better
the 2nd half of the pro season.

Lebron has spent a few more years in the NBA.
I dont think it would be fair to compare that.
But it is interesting to compare how diff. people feel
about number 1 draft picks .

Like who? LOL. Do you just make this **** up as you go? He was a cant miss, once in a generation player when he came out and there was no debate whatsoever about him being number one.

Why dont you just go to bed phil. You have to be better than this.

I cant help myself.
You need to be seen for who you are.

You are telling me when Lebron was drafted, before he played
a pro game. He was called a once in a lifetime player?
By the people who saw him in HS yes.

But to say the consensus was Lebron was a once in a lifetime player
is complete BS. And you know this if you really kept up when Lebron was
drafted #1. It is easy to say now. But when you forget what was....
Selective memory.

The "consensus" did see him play in high school. ESPN was televising a couple of his regular season games which was a first for a high school athlete.

There was no question. Sports illustrated did a huge piece on him when he was a JUNIOR in high school.

LOL. you are so clueless im laughing at you.

Sport ILLUSTRATED.
A great source for success in the future.
Please stop reading magazines and watch the damn games.

THere were plenty of doubters that he was coming out way to
early and that he would be eaten up by the pro game. Seriously,
you have to know this.

Mr. Garden...he was touted that way..as a once in a lifetime guy. It it is my recollection there was no doubt he would be the first guy taken no matter who got that pick.

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL You are a joke:D

You said the "consensus" now you are changing it to "plenty of doubters".

Who exactly were these "plenty of doubters" and where can i read their work?

Do you have links to these "plenty of doubters"?

Im sure there were some morons (like yourself) that thought that he wouldnt make it. Most knew he would.

Yes. 3 years down the line it really gets easy.
Great job. Quit playing your silly games.
You did it before. It does not work.

The fact is there were many people that thought it would
be very tough on Lebron. I did not take a Gallop poll. But I guess
your Sports Illustrated issue did.

Go three years back on any public board or articles on Lebron
where professional scouts were interviewed. Links... Oh yes your links.

Can you provide a link to any of what you are claiming phil?

here is a link backing up what i am saying:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in555131.shtml

You are correct.
There was not doubt he would be the first pick.
The question was how good a player would he become,
especially since his first year was right out of HS.

So you are saying all the kids would want Lebrons and Carmellos shoes.
Good article and right to the point.
Are you kidding with this?
Is this some sort of joke?