L.A.’s Andrew Bynum or Portland’s Greg Oden?October 08 08  Each week, HoopsVibe the Blog will drop a player comparison for fans to weigh-in on. We call it head-to-head ... Two centers. Each is young, raw, and recovering from injury. And each is in high-pressure situations, facing expectations bigger than Jerome James and Oliver Miller.
After all, Andrew Bynum only has to play seamlessly next to All-Star Pau Gasol, anchor Los Angeles’ interior defense, and, most importantly, put the Lakers over the top in their quest for an NBA Title.
Meanwhile, Greg Oden only has to shrug off microfracture surgery, play like the second coming of Bill Russell, and help Portland secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. Back-to-the-basket posts are rare. And when those ‘legit’ posts are physically gifted (like Bynum and Oden) hoop heads demand 20 point, 12 rebound averages. Fitting in isn’t an option. These two must excel. In our first head-to-head feature, HoopsVibe readers must pick the NBA’s best up-and-coming five-man. So, Bynum or Oden? Read both arguments, form an opinion, and get at us in the comment box below. We’ll tally votes and publish results next week. The Argument For Bynum: - Last year, he gave us a taste. What a taste it was. Those 35 games were enough for many to dub him the NBA’s next star big. Bynum, in just his third NBA season after high school, averaged 13.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
- You can’t teach size, and wingspan. You either have it or don’t. Bynum’s frame, 7-0 and 285 pounds, makes him an above average defender. The young pro also has exceptionally long arms for his giant stature, which allows him to rebound, challenge shots, help teammates, and eventually anchor a defense.
- Bynum can score 15-20 points without having a single set called for him. He gets points through put-backs, tips, and dunks. This is a luxury, considering L.A. has several players who need touches and looks.
- Bynum has the right mix of fire and composure. As a rookie, he jousted with Shaq. A year later, he remained calm following Bryant’s infamous cell phone video. He just worked harder and improved.
The Argument For Oden: - The first overall pick in 2007 has only played in summer league and one exhibition game. It doesn’t matter. Oden is still a can’t-miss prospect and is favoured to win rookie of the year.
- Oden is a manchild. His size, strength, and quickness will be felt on defense, where he’ll make The Rose Garden tough for visitors. Blazer fans should expect a minimum of 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.
- Like Bynum, Oden will have average double-figures. And like Bynum his points will come through rebounds, jams, and put-backs. For instance, in his first exhibition game, he had several dunks in just 20 minutes of work.
Our head-to-head call: Right now, Bynum is slightly ahead only because he’s older and has pro experience. Nothing else. Each is somewhat unrefined. Each has much to prove. In time, they’ll both dominate and make old school fives fashionable again. Who is the NBA’s best young five-man? Bynum or Oden? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe’s NBA Blog for more tidbits. Photo courtesy of NickSixers.
Posted by
Hon
on 10.14.2008 | I cant believe why it always has to be the Lakers, like Odom, Bynum, or Kobe. If not, then it is about Lebron. I am getting tired of this BS. Oden and Bynum are not worthy players, we should be talking about otehr players who have a collection of deserved rings. . | Posted by
on 10.11.2008 | Good riddance! . | Posted by
Step Yo Game Up
on 10.11.2008 | I meant music not sports and sports, my bad, hate on that to if you want, I’m sure you will . | Posted by
Step Yo Game Up
on 10.11.2008 | Actually folks, have published many articles, not with sports but with sports it was with HipHopGalaxy.com, I use to go under the name JCharles. So again hate all you want about what I post on here, it has nothing to do with what I write when I am writing as a job. I take that serious and actually put thought into my work, unlike this clown a-------writer Oly Sandor. . | Posted by
on 10.11.2008 | Oh and caps lock still laughing ... try it! . | Posted by
on 10.11.2008 | Agreed Kaman, Howard, or yao over Bynum and Oden. . | Posted by
Chris kaman
on 10.11.2008 | Look at Shrek, he comments on the article, then when it is fashionable to bash the author he jumps in. This is a joke. The author is decent. Back to the article. That’s why we are here to talk hoops. I’ll take Chris Kaman over both. Kaman has posted numbers and done his thing unlike these guys who have been injured. That’s it! . | Posted by
Word
on 10.11.2008 | Right now, SYGU hasn’t written a thing or had one piece published. he hasn’t even put himself out there at at all.He has just criticized and hated. Weak. I don’t agree with a lot this writer did, but at least he is out there. . | Posted by
L.A.
on 10.11.2008 | I’ll take Bynum. . | Posted by
Idiots
on 10.11.2008 | First learn to spell, then blog SYGU... . | Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.11.2008 | We all look forward to reading your work Step Yo Game Up ...Better to come up with my own ideas, then hate on others! Because that is all you have done until now. Enough talk from you. . | Posted by
on 10.11.2008 | There’s not a Laker player in every article, not even close . | Posted by
Easy does her ...
on 10.11.2008 | Easy guys. This is key. Bynum and Oden are two important players. They are two of the most talked players right now ... . | Posted by
(STILL LAUGHING)
on 10.10.2008 | LOL! OLY IS TRYING TO MAKE FUN OF SOMEONE ELSE’S WRITING SKILLS. WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE SAME LAME THINGS EVERY OTHER ARTICLE . | Posted by
Step Yo Game Up
on 10.10.2008 | See I’m gald I called you out, people are stepping up and saying what’s been known for awhile, I’m loving this! It’s time to step yo game up no meat bare bones sandor . | Posted by
Shrek
on 10.10.2008 | Here we go again, there’s gotta be a Laker player in every article of this site. BIAS BIAS BIAS BIAS . | Posted by
Jack
on 10.10.2008 | Both Oden and Andrew Bynum are extremely overrated players. Why are we even discussing this non sense? . | Posted by
Wacko
on 10.10.2008 | With all due respect Mr. Oly Sandor, your articles are good, but you are biased. You are obsess with Lebron and Kobe. You are also a fanatic of the L.A Lakers. If you were a real and fair journalist, you would be a mediator. We are fans of basketball and we desire to hear a fair and balance observation of the game. I will still continue reading your posts because you can come up with some great stuff, but I would just like to share my opinion. Thanks . | Posted by
Step Yo Game Up
on 10.10.2008 | Well actually Bare Bones I don’t start until next week. Plus I signed an exclusive agreement not to write for any other hoops sites. Believe I will let you know when I have my first blog posted, I plan on taking all your readers. If they actually thinl your garbage topica are good, then that shouldn’t be too hard to top your work. Seriously though I’ll give you some credit every once in a while you actually have something good to write, but most of the time, it’s like you think of the first thing that pops and your head and throw up something quick together just to have another piece done. People have said it on other message boards as well, so I’m not the only one, I’m just not arfaid to call you out on it. So you can talk trash all you want, nobody is afraid you doofus half-azz blogger . | Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.10.2008 | Is that the clown Step Yo Game Up? Taking a minute off your budding career as a journalist to hate? ... Not too shocking because that’s all you got. HATE. Lots like the topic; look at the comments. By the way, where is your mysterious blog? Why didn’t you take the challenge from our editor and write something? Weren’t you supposed to have the best blog on HV? Your words! So where is it?Why haven’t you backed it up! Afraid? Chicken? That’s right, you got a gig elsewhere. So where is your work to read? Doesn’t exist, right? You are a liar right?Just back to stalk and HATE! So be it! I feel sorry for you. . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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