NBA Trade Rumors: Who's the More Valuable Injured Center, Yao Ming or Greg Oden?

Centers Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers have been mentioned a lot lately in NBA trade talks, particularly by the Golden State Warriors, who have expressed interest in both.

Ming and Oden are both questionable due to injury, and because of that, teams could get either one for a discount.

But of the two, who is more valuable on the court?

Ming has been a superstar since he was drafted nine years ago. At 7'6,'' rebounding is something that comes naturally to him, as well as the ability to bother shooters attacking the basket. What he does better then most NBA big men, though, is score.

For his career, Ming has averaged about 20 points per game and shot over 50 percent from the field. Because of his size, he can get any shot he wants.

Furthermore, Ming is a fantastic foul shooter—a great aspect of his game because he is big and difficult to stop on the low block.

The stress fracture is his ankle is alarming, however. For players of his size (7'6," 310 pounds) to come back from injuries concerning the foot or ankle and produce they way they used to is very difficult. He has even considered retirement.

Oden, unlike Ming, has been disappointing his entire career, but his knee injury may not be as serious as Ming's ankle.

Injuries have kept Oden from ever playing a full season in his four years, so people have the idea that he has untapped potential.

Yet, even when Oden is healthy, he fouls too much and can't be trusted with the ball on the low post.

Oden is, however, a tenacious rebounder, and, injured or not, has the perfect NBA body—7'0," 285 pounds with a wingspan of 7'4" and a standing reach of 9'0."

Oden is much younger then Ming as well, important when talking about a player's ability to recover from injury.

Ultimately, Ming is the better player, but skill makes no difference if he can't even take the court.

Oden is more valuable, if only because he may have more mileage left on him. His young body has a better shot at recovery and his young mind can still be taught the fundamentals of his position.