by Godfather

Created on: March 27, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Oh how taking a big men, is by far the biggest risk in the nba. There's a few reasons why, obviously health is a big issue. Some bodies, especially that big, carrying that so much weight, their joints just can't support it. Not everyone is Shaq, the way he's literally built with iron instead of bone. That's why it's so frequent to see big men suffer from injuries, and their games deteriorate as they get older. Oden might have the unfortunate situation of that, much like Yao seems to. Although Yao has given the Rockets some positive production, with multiple all-star selections.

Here's another thing I've discovered about big men, not just their actual health, but production that seems to more times than not, doesn't ever live up to the expectations. Let me tell you first hand, playing as a big man is by far more difficult than as a perimeter player in the nba. You see, in college and high school, big men literally dominate like no other. They're bigger, stronger, quicker, and more explosive by a larger margin than anyone else. They live on their ability. In the nba, a big man can't live on their ability and expect to be great. Guys at that level are just as big, just as strong, and just as explosive.

I've watch the game long enough, to realize it's a skill game and fundamental thing with big men. It takes mental adjustment, hard work, and the right kind of attitude, along with ability. You have to really willing to be a learner at the next level, and some big men just don't have that, which is why they quickly fade when it comes to production in the nba at high level. Tim Duncan is the perfect example of how a big man is suppose to be, at a high level. He's a basketball player that's truly a perfectionist, in the sense that he's really worked hard, spent lots of time to develop the proper skill-set he has at a high level. You really have to study the game, like a Tim Duncan. Lot of athletes in general don't have that kind of mind set. They easily get discourage and just settle. Finding a great big man is just as important that they have the proper mindset mentally, just as much physically.

Al Jefferson is another young big man, who's taken the right approach by studying Tim Duncan's game, and trying to evolve into a top caliber player. I think Greg Oden mentally, is where you want him to be. He's a good kid, who works hard and still a student of the game. At 21 years old, no big men is a finished product. But health is what we fear from him. Can his body withstand this kind of weight? His knees have to support 260-300 pounds of weight, and not all joints are meant to support that kind of weight.

I know speculation is beginning to grow, should they have taken Kevin Durant, from Oklahoma City Thunder. Well, Durant is a great young talent, but last time I checked Oden's team isn't finishing another season in the lottery draft. The cardinal rule in basketball is never pass over a great young big man, for a perimeter player. You can't fault Portland's gm, Kevin Pritchard who made the politically correct move. Somethings these things aren't a exact science. It's still a wait and see situation.

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