Tyson Chandler his second year in the league, looked like he had the potential to be a superstar. He looked really good offensively, he was so athletic and quick, and with his type of length, he was able to score at ease.
In that year, Chandler was able to get in 23 games of over 30 MPG, before being limited by his injury. In those games, he averaged 13.7 PPG 11.0 RPG 1.8 BPG.
He had some just monster games. 27 points 18 rebounds 2 blocks. 23 points 14 rebounds 3 blocks. 21 points 17 rebounds 7 blocks. 15 points 12 rebounds 6 blocks. 19 points 22 rebounds 3 blocks.
This is a guy who was impressive. This guy looked like he had superstar potential. Oden hasn't even been close to what Chandler was at this age.
Chandler dove over some seats on a hustle play and hurt his back. When Chandler came back, he struggled. He recovered in 2004-2005 to become the Bulls first big man sub off the bench, and made plenty of key stops, but his offense never came back. Then he had another year struggling with health problems and the Bulls traded him. He recovered with the Hornets, and last year was one of the best defensive big men in the league and best alley oop options.
And there is another big difference between Oden and Chandler. Chandler isn't what you identify as "injury prone". Chandler had a freak injury diving for a loose ball out of bounds. He had an esophagus infection in 2005-2006. Greg Oden is injury prone. Wrist at Ohio St., the knee, and now he can't even stay healthy for an entire game in the NBA yet. I remember around draft time, someone was talking about Oden's medical report, and said something like it looked like Oden was a 15 year NBA veteran from his medical records...and then went on to say you still have to draft Oden on his side.
I guess on the brightside for Blazers fans, it doesn't look like Durant will be a Kobe/Lebron/Duncan/Shaq level superstar, so you didn't miss out on a legend of the game by passing on Durant.
