David Thorpe: Oden Looks Fantastic

[Rastapopoulos]

What is it with this guy (Thorpe)? First he's doubting that Oden will ever be healthy, and now this:

Maybe it was the "television adds weight" thing. Or maybe he's worked extremely hard. Either way, my first thought when I saw Oden taking shots in his shooting shirt on Monday night in Orlando was the word "fantastic." As in, he looks fantastic. Slim in the waist, not too puffy in his chest. In fact, he looked lean in all the right places and strong in his lats and shoulders.
Unlike his appearance in the Blazers' first game of the season, his upper body did not look at all disproportionate to his legs. He was jumping lightly in his shooting drills, struggling with his short jumpers but looking very good with his hooks.
I also really liked what the Blazers' coaches were doing with him during pregame warmups. Simple touch shots around the rim are hard to make without lots of reps, so doing them now only helps to get that feeling back more quickly upon his return.

 

[andalusian]

What is it with this guy (Thorpe)? First he's doubting that Oden will ever be healthy, and now this:

He must be a Blazers fan. The mood swings around this board make for some interesting reading...

 

[Денг Гордон]

He said Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas were going to break out this year....and that the Bulls should bench Gordon. I wouldn't put stock into anything he says. He's extremely biased towards his clients (*cough* Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas*cough*) and biased against players that snub him, and don't go to his camp afer being extended an invite (*cough* Ben Gordon *cough*).

ESPN should really start putting a potential bias disclaimer on what he writes.

The guy single handedly ruined Luol Deng's jumpshot.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

He said Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas were going to break out this year....and that the Bulls should bench Gordon. I wouldn't put stock into anything he says. He's extremely biased towards his clients (*cough* Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas*cough*) and biased against players that snub him, and don't go to his camp afer being extended an invite (*cough* Ben Gordon *cough*).

ESPN should really start putting a potential bias disclaimer on what he writes.

Tyrus couldn't hit a barn with an elephant. No jumper, no post game. How can he break out?

And Loul Deng is this generations Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

 

[Nikolokolus]

He said Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas were going to break out this year....and that the Bulls should bench Gordon. I wouldn't put stock into anything he says. He's extremely biased towards his clients (*cough* Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas*cough*) and biased against players that snub him, and don't go to his camp afer being extended an invite (*cough* Ben Gordon *cough*).

ESPN should really start putting a potential bias disclaimer on what he writes.

The guy single handedly ruined Luol Deng's jumpshot.

Truer words have never been spoken.

David Thorpe is the biggest huckster in the history of sports writers, all he ever seems to do pimp guys that have gone to his academy and slag most everyone else. That said I guess it's nice that he thinks Greg looks "fantastic," but seriously who gives a shit how athletic and chisled Greg looks? The dude needs to play and stay healthy, and it won't matter a tinkers damn how awesome his traps and delts look if pulls up lame again.

 

[Da_O]

 

[tlongII]

How could Greg look that much different now versus 15 days ago?

 

[Nikolokolus]

How could Greg look that much different now versus 15 days ago?

Well apparently he's shed 8 pounds since the Lakers game ... if true, that would make him look a little more spry.

 

[Paxil]

Depression can do that to you.