Sports Talk with MC

by MC

So Greg Oden’s been a foul-machine at the NBA Summer league so far. So Durant’s been clanging more shots off of a basketball rim than Britney Spears had rumors thrown her way earlier in her career than she had had her breasts done.

As much as it is too early to judge Oden and Durant, the number one and two draft picks in the 2007 NBA Draft respectively, their summer league resumes can tell us a few things that may very well be foreboding.

Greg Oden, if healthy and motivated, can be a machine on the glass and as a scorer in the paint. Durant has the athleticism to get by defenders and shoot lights out if left open, or even when covered. The thing is, both men are not, well, men just yet. They’re both 19 years of age, being thrust into the burning media spotlight with reckless abandon. Come November, we can expect Oden to most likely be more poised when it comes to managing his game, but do expect the man to make typical rookie big man mistakes in spite of it. Look for Greg to not do too well from the line. Look for Greg to still commit silly fouls. Also, look for him to not be able to dominate inside ala a young Shaq just yet. In my opinion, Oden may never get to dominate ala Shaq or Wilt. At best, he may be a more athletic Ewing. Durant, on the other hand, will probably be encouraged by Sonics coach PJ Carlesimo to adhere to an aggressive offensive mindset. He’ll be given the opportunity to take shots, and he will, by all means, take advantage of such chances. I don’t think he’ll ever be a 50% and up field goal shooter, but look for his shot selection to improve as he ages. The same goes for his passing, and for his rebounding, which should get better as he gets physically stronger. His development, I think, will also depend a lot on how much he’ll really be relied on in his first year to be Seattle’s franchise messiah. As much as I think Durant is a gifted athlete, he may not manage to mature as fast as most would like him to in his freshman campaign. Give it 2 or 3 years, and we may have the next TMac on our hands, sans the sleepy eyes, and the bulky frame. I say, in a couple of years, Durant will prove to us all why he should have gone number one, and instead of numero dos.

On the other hand, forget summer league odds and ends. What could really matter would be what happens behind the scenes between now, and the end of the first game of 2007-2008. Development, and, overall worth, could very well evolve healthily without much hype. Just ask Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

For now, let’s sit back and watch Oden and Durant grow before our very eyes, without, of course, forgetting that they weren’t the only ones ushered into the NBA on June 29th.

A little Marco Benellini or Javaris Crittenden, anyone? Sign me up for starters.

Basketball is both a game of numbers and of thunder. One can make an impact on sheer statistical dominance, or, sheer passion and hustle. Keen observers measure both very carefully. Casual fans get caught up with those with beautiful crossover dribbles, but not a lick of Grant Hill-esque decency, or Steve Nash-like humility.

Being, and, watching, the summer league is all about looking at both sides of the hoop story. It is supposed to be a cruel summer. It will inevitably such. How depends on which end of the spectrum you’re looking at the larger picture from.

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