Leading Off: Hawes or Oden? It's closer than you think

By Bill Bradley
bbradley@sacbee.com

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 - 12:00 am | Page 1C

Bee Sports Editor/Opinion

After spending two of the past five nights watching the top centers of the 2007 NBA draft, I ask you to ponder this: Who would you pick now, Spencer Hawes or Greg Oden?

I would take Hawes.

You say I'm crazy? Stay with me. As much hoopla as there was over Oden as the No. 1 overall pick – and yes, he was injured all of last season – he seems to be a one-dimensional player. He is great inside, rebounding and blocking shots. Yet he doesn't have the offensive impact like the big men to whom he was compared, Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone.

Hawes isn't in that league, either. But what makes him attractive is his other dimensions: passing and outside shooting. Plus, Hawes has bulked up enough to compete with the wide bodies and he isn't afraid to play inside this season.

In two games against each other, Oden had a combined 10 points (4-of-9 shooting) and 14 rebounds in 38 minutes. Hawes had 30 points (12 of 26) and eight rebounds in 72 minutes.

You get what you get with Oden. It appears the best is to come for Hawes.

What to watch
NBA: Nets at Kings, 7 p.m., CSN: Nets forward Ryan Anderson of Oak Ridge High School returns to the site of his victory over Mater Dei in a 2005 state-title game.

What to surf

www.nba.com/nets/news/KnowANet_Ryan_Anderson_080919.html: Anderson did this "Know-a-Net" interview in September.

What to do

Men's college basketball: Pacific at Nevada, 7 p.m.: Gas up! A rare meeting of two area mid-major teams.

Tuesday's results

NBA

• Wizards 124, Warriors 100 • Cavaliers 119, Knicks 101 • Suns 99, Thunder 98 • Mavericks 109, Pacers 106 • Lakers 120, Nets 93

Area men's basketball

• CS Bakersfield 72, Sacramento State 62

Area women's basketball

• UC Davis 56, USF 49

Today's poll

Which center would you pick if you were able to repeat the 2007 NBA draft? • Greg Oden. • Spencer Hawes. To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.

Tuesday's poll results

What NFL team is the biggest surprise this season? • Cardinals (7-4). 9% • Redskins (7-4). 1% • Falcons (7-4). 28% • Jets (8-3). 20% • Dolphins (6-5). 19% • Titans (10-1). 23% Total votes: 253

Talk amongst yourselves

What you're discussing on www.sacbee.com/forums: • Kings: "Which would you pick, Hawes or Oden?

The last word

What you're saying on the sacbee.com comments: • "Good defense in the fourth made things interesting, but the offense can't take any pressure." JManTo on "Kings squander chance, lose to Blazers"

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Leading Off: Hawes or Oden? It's closer than you think