Greg Oden vs. Kevin Durant: In Battle of Potential, It's Not Close
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report The Blazers won the 2007 NBA lottery, snagging the rights to Greg Oden and the Championships that would ensue. Right? Well, it hasn't exactly played out like that. See, Greg has had injury troubles. So much so that he has only played 82 games in three seasons. Yeah, ouch. Even though he has only played in 82 games, Greg has shown that he can be a dominant center. I mean, in 24 minutes the guy averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. Per 48 minutes, Greg would have averaged 22.2 points, 17 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks a game. Those are Wilt Chamberlain numbers. So what was the other choice for the Blazers on draft night? Oh, just some guy named Kevin Durant that is averaging 30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, winning scoring titles and playing night in and night out. Oops. The problem is, well Greg just cannot stay healthy. But there is always a solution to a problem, in one of my past articles, I did some research about Greg's knee problems and I think that I've pinpointed the issue as described by the Portland Trail Blazers trainers: But after some digging, I felt that this wasn't just a problem with Greg Oden's seven-foot frame, although his size does multiply his problems. Let me start off with the professional's opinion on this issue because I am in no way shape or form a doctor. But in an interview over the summer, a member of the Trail Blazers medical staff said that the reason Greg's patella split in two was due to the sheer power generated by his thigh muscles. "...Greg Oden is too strong for his own good. And it can be explained by going to the root of the problem, during his rookie season. Now, as I said earlier, Greg Oden and the team agreed that a precautionary micro-fracture surgery that would end his rookie season. During his rehabilitation, Greg Oden lifted weights like there was no tomorrow. His body weight drifted above 300 pounds (currently 285 pounds) and the team promptly told him to quit gaining weight, for obvious reasons. His routine was cut down to mostly leg workouts, building muscle to support the knee as his upper body was to be toned, not built for power, as shown in this video done by The Oregonian during the workouts before the 2009 season." At least we know the issue was caused by something partially caused by poor workout practices and not entirely because of his body. To sum things up, Greg's workouts were the possible cause of his Patella fracturing and the weight he gained could have worsened the already weak knee before the start of the 2008 regular season. A big man like Greg Oden is a very rare thing to come by. And when you have the chance to draft someone like him, you don't pass it up. Everyone on draft night was saying that Greg Oden was the obvious pick. He was a sure thing. He was the right choice. And he still is today. No matter how many scoring titles Kevin Durant wins, no matter the MVP trophies, and the All-star appearances. That decision made by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007 was the right one. If Greg Oden returns this season and puts up a modest 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game, and does that over a consistent 62 games, then the Portland Trail Blazers will be in the Western Conference Finals. Kevin Durant can score 30 points a game, heck, I feel that he could score 35 points a game and the Thunder would still be a second round playoff team at best next season. Big men are just that important in the NBA. When or if Greg Oden comes back completely healthy, playing regularly for an entire season, he would essentially change the NBA. It would be a massive power shift and the only thing that could stop it would be an injury. Greg Oden's potential is still through the roof. It is off the charts, around the block, and off another chart. And Kevin Durant, while he is currently the much, much better player, is still not even close. But that is still something Portland Trail Blazers fans can only wish to see.
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