Bill Simmons latest shot at Oden

[Sug]

At the age of 21 Bill Simmons what was Bill Simmons doing? Probably giving his boss a handjob just to get his crap printed. Come to think of it he must give good oral to have made it all the way to BSPN.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He wasn't an offensive juggernaut, but how about Buck Williams?

Actually, Buck Williams was an offensive juggernaut, just not after he joined the blazers.

And, I think it'd be a great idea. Though, doesn't he live in NY?

 

[soona]

The guy is a walking, talking foul. He commits a foul practically every time he raises his hand. It's mind-boggling.

And he's a bricklayer. Dude, I cringe when he shoots from three feet away. If it's not a dunk it's just as likely to bounce off the backboard as go in the net. To watch Yao hitting those midrange jumpers smooth as silk - that's what we need. Or even a hook shot from a few feet out.

And don't get me going about his tendency to get stripped while he backs his man down . . .

Don't get me wrong - I still think he might be an all-star. I can't wait to see him next year after a summer of training and conditioning.

 

[ehizzy3]

Does anyone think Oden has learned much this season? I see him still committing the same stupid fouls he did at the beginning of the season. He's like a foul machine out there. I'm surprised he doesn't commit a foul just walking onto the court.

People say, "Oh, give him time, he'll correct all of that next year," but why can't he start correcting it now?? Where is it written that you have to make all your improvement in your second year?

yes because guards still strip the ball from him everytime he goes up...here, i know you've heard it before but ill repeat it. BIG MEN TAKE TIME TO ADJUST TO THE LEAGUE. why does everyone think that doesn't apply to oden? who has it even harder coming back from micro fracture surgery.

 

[Further]

I like simmons but I read his stuff with a pound of salt. His knowledge of the game is crap, but he is a funny guy who at least writes on a lot of interesting topics.

I think Oden will be a great C in a couple seasons, but as of now, he IS a foul machine. No bitching or moaning about the media is going to change that. But how he defended in the last game is one of those glimpses you want to see because it was nothing short of beautiful. On the O side of the floor, he was shit, but that's OK for the moment. He will improve.

 

[maxiep]

Does anyone think Oden has learned much this season? I see him still committing the same stupid fouls he did at the beginning of the season. He's like a foul machine out there. I'm surprised he doesn't commit a foul just walking onto the court.

People say, "Oh, give him time, he'll correct all of that next year," but why can't he start correcting it now?? Where is it written that you have to make all your improvement in your second year?

It's not that you can't learn new things during the season, but you can't really work on them. The NBA season has so many games in so few days you don't have the luxury of practicing specific moves. That's for the offseason. And so far, Greg has had to work more on getting into basketball shape (which he's still not in, IMO) rather than on his game.

What made Jordan special was that every year he'd come to camp with something new. I suspect we'll see a different GO in October.

 

[andalusian]

The idea that Greg does not learn during the year is absurd. The dude learns in the game - you could see his "block" on Yao as proof - Yao went into him - he just stood his ground with his hands up - no foul committed, none whistled.

The number of fouls he commits is way down than what he did earlier in the year. The number he is whistled for has not gone down as much as his fouls did - it's the refs that have not learned much during the year - he still gets whistled too much based on reputation.

 

[mrkorb]

Actually, Buck Williams was an offensive juggernaut, just not after he joined the blazers.

And, I think it'd be a great idea. Though, doesn't he live in NY?

I've heard Buck desperately wants an NBA job. He made some comment in an article a few years ago that he was "hurt" that nobody had offered him one since he retired. I think that if the Blazers came calling, he'd jump at the opportunity. I absolutely agree with others who noticed Oden's play went up when Luke returned.

Get well soon, neighbor.