Do my eyes deceive or must I believe?

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maxiep

maxiep

RIP Dr. Jack
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I'm too lazy to post before and after photos, but does it look to anyone else like Oden over the past few weeks has gotten a lot slimmer, quicker and more explosive?
 
He's not slimmer, but his footwork is 100% better than earlier in the year. He's learned to spin without picking up his pivot foot. Plus his hook shot is looking like a thing of beauty all of a sudden.
 
Yes, I believe he's lost some weight. He does look a little quicker to me, as well. His play of late is quite encouraging. I think he's starting to get some confidence and achieve a certain comfort level. That sweeping hook shot he made last night was a thing of beauty.
 
He's not only lost weight, but he's dressing better, and he's done something with his hair. Now all he needs is to do something with that dreadful boyfriend of his.

barfo
 
barfo said:
He's not only lost weight, but he's dressing better, and he's done something with his hair. Now all he needs is to do something with that dreadful boyfriend of his.
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Don't be so hard on yourself.



:ghoti:
 
maxiep said:
I'm too lazy to post before and after photos, but does it look to anyone else like Oden over the past few weeks has gotten a lot slimmer, quicker and more explosive?
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Yes, he's gradually recovering from microfracture surgery... that's one of the side effects. :lol:

But I don't think he's close to how explosive and conditioned he'll be in a year. When I watch him, he still has to pace himself quite a bit and his footwork has improved but still needs a lot of work. His teammates are starting to learn how to find him which is good.
 
I've consistently said that I thought by the end of the season he'd be putting up 14-18 points, 9-12 boards and 2-3 blocks a night in 30-35 minutes. For some reason, I've just really noticed a real difference in him the past few weeks.
 
He has definitely started to get some of his quickness, footwork and agility back.

The best example of this is he ability to reduce his fouling. If you go back a few weeks, a large portion of the fouls he was getting were a result of him trying to move his feet to stay in front of a guard on a pick-and-roll.

In the last few games, he is still trying to cut off the guard, but now he is starting to get his quickness back, and actually cut off the guard instead of just bumping him.

This increased quickness is cutting down his fouling, which is allowing him to play a lot more, which allows him to start putting up some big numbers.

That said, I think he still has quite a ways to go before he has all of his explosiveness back. But, it is coming.
 
FWIW, the Clippers announcers last night were talking about how improved he is just over the course of the season.
 
Do my eyes deceive me, or has Oden been able to stay healthy for quite a while now? That's the best news of all.
 
PapaG said:
No need for apologies. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed Oden slimming down.
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More game and practice time tends to help you loose weight.
More time with coaches (M. Lucas) helps footwork.
More game in NBA helps with speed of NBA.
Probably doing much better with diet and sleep habits etc.
Better attitude as you preform well is contagious.

The KID is going to be a great, great player.
 
gatorpops said:
More game and practice time tends to help you loose weight.
More time with coaches (M. Lucas) helps footwork.
More game in NBA helps with speed of NBA.
Probably doing much better with diet and sleep habits etc.
Better attitude as you preform well is contagious.

The KID is going to be a great, great player.
Click to expand...

It's no coincidence that Oden has improved his play since Lucas has been back. Among other things, Lucas's sickness played a part in Oden's slow start.
 
The Professional Fan said:
It's no coincidence that Oden has improved his play since Lucas has been back. Among other things, Lucas's sickness played a part in Oden's slow start.
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No Doubt. All you hear about Bynum his how great his footwork his, then they zoom in on none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar jabbering in his ear after every play.
 
I am actually surprised that Bill Walton hasn't been brought in to work with Oden as well. Unless they just think he is too nutzo to be of any use. :devilwink:
 
hasoos said:
I am actually surprised that Bill Walton hasn't been brought in to work with Oden as well.
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Me, too. Walton is one of the smartest centers to ever play the game, and I'm sure he could help Oden immensely.
 
hasoos said:
I am actually surprised that Bill Walton hasn't been brought in to work with Oden as well. Unless they just think he is too nutzo to be of any use. :devilwink:
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Thank you! It's nice to know I'm not crazy. Man, I have brought this very idea up on other boards (and perhaps this one) and gotten ZERO response. To me, it makes all the sense in the world! Bill Walton has forgotten more about how to play center than most people will ever know. I also think he'd enjoy rekindling the rivalary with KAJ (Bynum's coach).
 
Didn't Walton leave the Blazers on bad terms, blaming them for mishandling his foot injuries? Has that been patched up? Since the organization is now entirely different people I'd assume so, but some grudges last longer than I'd have believed possible.
 
Minstrel said:
Didn't Walton leave the Blazers on bad terms, blaming them for mishandling his foot injuries? Has that been patched up? Since the organization is now entirely different people I'd assume so, but some grudges last longer than I'd have believed possible.
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Given the great glee he took in dissing the team during the "JailBlazer" years, I'd say he is still carrying a grudge.
 
At the game last night, I noticed that Greg looked a lot slimmer than he did to start the season. It think its for the best too.
 
Maurice Lucas wasn't able to work with Greg for the first 25 or so games of the season due to his bout with pneumonia. I think he's helping Greg alot too.
 
hasoos said:
I am actually surprised that Bill Walton hasn't been brought in to work with Oden as well. Unless they just think he is too nutzo to be of any use. :devilwink:
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I dont think Bill can move around very well. He has had some major back problems recently.

And Luke plays for the Lakers so he might not want to stir that pot.
 
oldmangrouch said:
Given the great glee he took in dissing the team during the "JailBlazer" years, I'd say he is still carrying a grudge.
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You haven't been paying attention. Bill loves the new Blazers. He would help Greg in a heart beat if asked.


Bill and the Blazers buried the hatchet years ago. Plus he loves big MO. He would help out as long as there was no physical worked involved. He would get killed out there.
 
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