NBA fans like boxing fans have been waiting for the next great heavyweight for some time now. Not since Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson has there been big men that can do it all. In the NBA the days of Pat Ewing, David Robinson and Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwan are gone. Shaquille O'Neal was that man for years. He has had a great season so far, but Shaq knows that he's not what he used to be. He is on the out and the question remain who will carry the torch. Who will be the the next NBA giant that will capture the NBA and stand tall on the world stage? Many thought that it would be the kid Andrew Bynum from the Los Angles Lakers until he was sidelined with an injury last year. Some said it would be Emeka Okafor, while other said it would be Al Jefferson who replaced Kevin Garrnet in Minnesota. NBA fans I must give Dwight "superman " Howard his props. He is a good one, but watchout! There is another emerging quickly. If you have forgotten the name refresh your memory. Greg Oden, the once heralded big man out of the University of Ohio State.
Is he the real deal?
He to was injured, before he could get on the court to start 2007-2008 season as a rookie. He missed the entire season. But, before his injury he struggle in the summer league. He was constantly in foul trouble. His scoring was down and he look like he would be a bust. But, on the 19 of January something happened. It must have been the hype from Martin Luther King's Birthday celebration or the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States Barack Obama. Who really knows. All we know is that Oden who is only averaging 8.3 points and 1 block shot per game looked different. On this night he was running the floor well like in his college days. Then he exploded for 24 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals and (partridge in a pear tree, just kidding) 2 block shot. This was his best outing so far. In more than 18 minutes he did this. If that doesn't open some eyes look at this stat. He was 9 for 14 and 6 of 11 from the free throw line.
I think that this cat is getting it. He learning how to play the NBA game. It just a matter of time. I think that he is young just like Dwight Howard, but he will get better. This is his second really good game within a week. In that game he had 17 points, 13 boards, 1 block and 1 assist. This makes you wonder with a little consistency will he be that guy. Is he the real deal? My friends only time will tell.
