by Jeff Lane

Created on: April 04, 2007   Last Updated: December 11, 2011

Greg Oden may end up becoming the player that everyone expects him to be, but in the games that I have seen, he has been overrated. Pundits and commentators treat him as though his mere presence in an arena has a psychological impact on the opposing team. They speak of his dominance as if he were a Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. To me, he looks lethargic.

In the 2007 tourney, it was Conley and Lewis and the rest of the Ohio State offense that enabled the Buckeyes to fight their way to the final game against Florida. Their comeback victories were largely executed with Oden on the bench. I will say, that in the final game against Florida, Greg Oden displayed what everyone has been talking about. He put on a stellar performance, but with a cold perimeter game, the Buckeyes had no chance against the Gators, and Oden's performance didn't matter.

So, who will make the better pro basketball player? I say Durant, although Oden could prove me wrong if he develops more stamina, and consistently plays with the skill and passion that he displayed against Florida.

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