12 replies to this topic

[BeeZee]

The Blazers and Lakers have a history. Since the 1991 season the two teams have met in the playoffs six times. Two of those times the match up took place in the Western Conference Finals, where the Lakers ripped the hearts out of some of the best teams in Portland Trail Blazer history.

Because of this history, Blazer fans absolutely hate the Lakers. I mean really hate the Lakers. Lakers fans don't like the Blazers that much either, but they've spent so much time hating the Celtics, Spurs, and Kings that the Blazers haven't received that much of their ire.

Well, that all is likely to change this season, as it looks like the Blazers will be competing with the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy for years to come. At the center of that rivalry will be two talented young big men that most feel will dominate the NBA for years to come.

The two young bigs that I'm referring to are none other than the Blazers' Greg Oden and the Lakers' Andrew Bynum. Oden missed all of last season with microfracture knee surgery, so this will be his first official year. Despite missing an entire year, he has looked pretty darn good this pre-season. Bynum is going into his fourth season, but also missed a ton of time last season after injuring a knee. Prior to that injury, 'Drew looked like an absolute beast. He's also shown signs of a return to form this pre-season.

All NBA fans should be getting excited for the battles between theses two. I'm not going to say that this is going to be Russel v. Wilt reincarnated, but both of these guys are going to be very good players. I mean, when was the last time you had two talented young centers with the potential for greatness on stacked teams in the same conference? I guess you could mention Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'neal from the '90s, but Zo was really a power forward playing center, and Shaq was in L.A. by 1996.

http://nba.fanhouse....ndrew-bynum-an/

[phifedogg76]

maybe not depending on how injury prone oden is which is hella injury prone

[netlord]

maybe not depending on how injury prone oden is which is hella injury prone

I hope Bynum stays healthy...

[last stand 2.0]

bynum aint no sure thing when it comes to health either

but anyone notice how hard that foul bynum put on oden was

i think bynum wanted to send a message saying yeah he may have all the media hype but hes 20 and i'm 21 i'll show everyone who the manchild is

bynum had this look on his face of anger when he fouled oden

[hype]

^

I just thought he was in bad defensive position and bear hugged Oden to stop him from attempting a shot.

[popo]

On a NBA draft site last year some scouts said Oden was miles ahead of Bynum in there overall play, but that was before Drew avgd 13 and 10 and those scouts are wrong.
Also either guys has yet to establish a go to move on offense and til that happens it's no a great rivalry.

[K. Dot]

So much for a great rivalry. Oden is injured ;[.

[kobynum]

i actually seen the 08-09 preseason rankings where people were putting Oden over Bynum

[lyk13]

Oden's out 2 to 4weeks...=/

[ReaListik]

It always sucks to see a player have this many injuries and troubles back to back. I hope that by the time he's fully healthy and gets rolling he can still bring out the best of his game. Bynum seems to thrive on competition and I think that by him knowing Oden's out there is going to drive him to work hard.

[Force]

Yeah, I feel really bad for Oden.

I really wish the best for him...he has to much talent, but injuries keep emerging...he just has to stay healthy and utilize it.

[ファイナルファンタジ]

Yeh most likely. But he's injured now so that sucks. Looks like Bynum will need to start a rivalry with another center for now. Dwight?

[LkrsOvrMia 2]

Oden is a joke.

Obviously, I wish 'em good health but the HYPE is way too much for me.