Greg Oden hasn't been the low-post presence that some envisioned. In fact, he's been turnover-prone and is making fewer than half his shots. He hasn't always been a defensive force, either, as teams have been able to take advantage of him in transition at times, most notably Boston on Friday night.
But rebound? Yes, he can do that.
Oden's 22.2 rebound rate leads the entire NBA, beating even Orlando man-child Dwight Howard's. On the defensive glass, Oden's rate is a monstrous 31.0, bested only by that of the Clippers' Marcus Camby and one other player.
That other player is Oden's teammate in the middle, Joel Przybilla, whose overall rebound rate is just behind Oden's and Howard's at 21.2.
And so we have quite an event in the Rose Garden on Tuesday night when the Magic play the Blazers -- the league's three best rebounders, on a per-shot basis, will be in the building battling for caroms.
Whomever comes out on top in that war is likely to see his team prevail in a battle among two of the best teams in the league's "Other 27" -- my new name for teams not named the Lakers, Celtics and Cavs.
Can't wait for tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I new how to quote part of an article. Cut and paste is all I know!
