Game Thread vs Hornets

[The Professional Fan]

A few things. First, we have no idea how to use Oden. We don't get him the ball nearly enough.

Second, Oden is still at 50% of his effectiveness. He doesn't know what he's doing.

Third, Oden didn't even play 30 minutes.

Fourth, Przy didn't have a game like that in his second game.

GO is going to be special.

Exactly. It was fun watching Nate play with his new toy tonight. Nate intentionally left Greg out there tonight. And not because Greg was dominating, because quite honestly, he wasn't. He was playing *good*. Nate forced the issue tonight with Greg, in hopes that it will pay dividends down the line. I like the move, despite the outcome of the game. You could see Greg's confidence grow even as he was getting tired. He started licking his palms, he had a little jive to his step, and all this was when he was supposed to be TIRED. He's getting it, and he's getting it fast. I loved that Nate left him out there.....even though I was calling for Joel's return.

 

[rocketeer]

Oden hasn't proven to be a great offensive player at any level. I happen to think Cowherd is wrong, but how did Oden disprove him tonight?

how about in college? almost 16 points in 29 minutes on over 60% shooting without much use out of his better hand.

 

[bodyman5001]

I was actually happy tonight after the game and that is RARE when we lose. In fact, it might be the first time ever.

Not that we lost, but how I caught a glimpse of what this team can be.


Insert Webster in that corner, take some time off the shot clock going through Oden and we either get a dunk or a three by someone who should be shooting it.

 

[The Professional Fan]

I was actually happy tonight after the game and that is RARE when we lose. In fact, it might be the first time ever.

Not that we lost, but how I caught a glimpse of what this team can be.

Yep. Me too.

 

[bodyman5001]

Yep. Me too.

I didn't get to see much of it, but I think Greg's first basket was a shot that he kinda laid in the hoop.

I think in a few months (maybe weeks) that the same situation would have been a monster dunk.

You can kinda tell that he is having situations where his first instinct won't work because his body won't let him. I doubt he has ever been this slow since he reached his full height. I am not scared though, because when he gets the quickness back watch out.

 

[PapaG]

how about in college? almost 16 points in 29 minutes on over 60% shooting without much use out of his better hand.

How is that 'great'? Again, Oden looked tremendous tonight, but Dawson (and to more ridiculous extent Cowherd) are correct in analyzing his offensive game right now. It's either a dunk or FTs at this point. Nothing wrong with that, and Shaq proved you can be a great offensive weapon following this approach, but Oden looks to be much closer to 'great' on the defensive end at this point than the offensive end.

And that's totally fine and totally expected. Let's let Greg become Greg, whatever Greg that will be.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm sure the LMA for three play was by design. He is making those in practice and he hit a HUGE one in the final minutes of the game against San Antonio.

 

[bodyman5001]

I'm sure the LMA for three play was by design. He is making those in practice and he hit a HUGE one in the final minutes of the game against San Antonio.

Give me one reason he should be taking that shot instead of say...Rudy.

 

[PapaG]

Give me one reason he should be taking that shot instead of say...Rudy.

Or, statistically and by history, Roy or Outlaw?

 

[The Professional Fan]

I didn't get to see much of it, but I think Greg's first basket was a shot that he kinda laid in the hoop.

I think in a few months (maybe weeks) that the same situation would have been a monster dunk.

You can kinda tell that he is having situations where his first instinct won't work because his body won't let him. I doubt he has ever been this slow since he reached his full height. I am not scared though, because when he gets the quickness back watch out.

"The Devil," Comcast Sports Net, has been showing "classic college basketball" regularly. They're showing old Ohio St games, as well as Washington and Arizona, etc...etc....

I watched the Ohio St vs Florida Championship game and was blown away by Oden's mobility. At first I was like "where is THAT?! -- what happened???" -- then I realized what has happened. Lots. Micro fracture is no small surgery. And the dude hasn't played real hoops in a long, long time. The guy in that championship game was a gazelle. I sometimes think Greg is old. He isn't. He'll be back to that form, which is a form he didn't even come close to matching even tonight vs the Hornets. The guy will be fine. So will the Blazers. They might actually be better than fine. Can't wait.

 

[whatsmyname]

"get out my way greg oden"

"look coach i caught an outlaw"

 

[bodyman5001]

Or, statistically and by history, Roy or Outlaw?

Crap, one reason why he should be taking it instead of Blake even. Or Sergio for crying out loud.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Just a little FYI...

The game is being replayed on CSNW at 1:30 AM

 

[KingSpeed]

How is that 'great'? Again, Oden looked tremendous tonight, but Dawson (and to more ridiculous extent Cowherd) are correct in analyzing his offensive game right now. It's either a dunk or FTs at this point. Nothing wrong with that, and Shaq proved you can be a great offensive weapon following this approach, but Oden looks to be much closer to 'great' on the defensive end at this point than the offensive end.

And that's totally fine and totally expected. Let's let Greg become Greg, whatever Greg that will be.

Don't forget- Oden had a nice hook shot tonight.

 

[Ed O]

How is that 'great'? Again, Oden looked tremendous tonight, but Dawson (and to more ridiculous extent Cowherd) are correct in analyzing his offensive game right now. It's either a dunk or FTs at this point. Nothing wrong with that, and Shaq proved you can be a great offensive weapon following this approach, but Oden looks to be much closer to 'great' on the defensive end at this point than the offensive end.

And that's totally fine and totally expected. Let's let Greg become Greg, whatever Greg that will be.

I have no idea what Dawson said, but you are TOTALLY IGNORING and TWISTING Cowherd's point.

Cowherd (piggybacking on Bill Simmons) said that Oden will never be a great offensive player.

He's basing that on too little data and ignoring too many scouting reports and too much supporting evidence.

You are twisting the statement that he made to one of what Oden can do NOW. Now what he someday might do. I don't think that anyone will argue Greg is great offensively right now.

Ed O.

 

[KingSpeed]

Oden had a nice hook shot tonight. I didn't see anything tonight that made him look like he's not a good offensive player.

 

[mgb]

Oden had a nice hook shot tonight. I didn't see anything tonight that made him look like he's not a good offensive player.

I think he'll become a lot more consistent with that shot when he starts putting a little arc in the shot. He usually shoots it very flat. A little more arc and a lot of his misses will go in instead.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Or, statistically and by history, Roy or Outlaw?

Yeah - kind of cringed when LMA took that shot. But, also the 3 point attempt over 2 Hornets by Roy was also pretty bad. If he makes it, his legend grows, but that was not a good shot to take. I would have liked to see him take the 20 and draw up another play.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Hornets are becoming the new Spurs to me. Meaning they cry over everything and I just don't like them. Off the court Chandler, Paul, and West all seem likeable, (just Like the Spurs) but on the court they are all over the top when it comes to complaining. And then there is Scott........ with that obnoxiuos smirk. Unfortunately the act works with the refs.

 

[PapaG]

I have no idea what Dawson said, but you are TOTALLY IGNORING and TWISTING Cowherd's point.

Cowherd (piggybacking on Bill Simmons) said that Oden will never be a great offensive player.

He's basing that on too little data and ignoring too many scouting reports and too much supporting evidence.

You are twisting the statement that he made to one of what Oden can do NOW. Now what he someday might do. I don't think that anyone will argue Greg is great offensively right now.

Ed O.

I'm not twisting anything. Why are you so upset? Would you feel better if I were anonymously trashing Dawson and Cowherd on the message board that you moderate? Cowherd and Simmons may be correct; no one knows the answer right now, but it seems a bit odd to be using tonight's offensive game by Oden as an "I told you so" against Cowherd that proves his prediction false.

 

[STOMP]

Give me one reason he should be taking that shot instead of say...Rudy.

because he's more likely to be left for an open look would be one reason... the D is expecting a play to be run for Rudy

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

Oden had a nice hook shot tonight. I didn't see anything tonight that made him look like he's not a good offensive player.

and he drew double teams.

STOMP

 

[Sedatedfork]

I'm not twisting anything. Why are you so upset? Would you feel better if I were anonymously trashing Dawson and Cowherd on the message board that you moderate? Cowherd and Simmons may be correct; no one knows the answer right now, but it seems a bit odd to be using tonight's offensive game by Oden as an "I told you so" against Cowherd that proves his prediction false.

Pundits will say what is on their mind. They don't get paid necessarily to be right and I am not sure why everyone is up in arms about Gavin and Cowherd. I have faith that Oden will be be a very good center, but I am not offended by the naysayers. Time will tell. And before this game, Oden really had not shown much to get that excited about. It is still evident that the Blazers don't know how to play with Oden. There were multiple times in the first half that Oden had sealed and the Blazers didn't swing the ball or lob it in.

 

[blue32]

Coaching is what lost us this game tonight.... that and our lack of guard production, which I attribute to bad offensive coaching.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Pundits will say what is on their mind. They don't get paid necessarily to be right and I am not sure why everyone is up in arms about Gavin and Cowherd.

It's not that they were wrong or in disagreement with others. It's their elitist annoying schtick, being rude to callers, and disrespecting Brian Wheeler.

 

[MARIS61]

Nice to see Sergio in the mix more.

After 2+ seasons of disagreement on this issue , Nate and I had a little sit-down and I finally persuaded him that I know a little more about the PG position than he does.

Good for all concerned.

 

[bodyman5001]

because he's more likely to be left for an open look would be one reason... the D is expecting a play to be run for Rudy

STOMP

Oh, so getting a three was a requirement in that situation?

Plus, if the defense doesn't expect it then it must be a good idea? They should have started the game with that play and run it until the defense started looking for it.


Oh wait, no they shouldn't. I bet they wouldn't expect Oden to take that three either, that would be really surprising.

I said one reason he should take that shot, not one reason he could.

 

[Sedatedfork]

It's not that they were wrong or in disagreement with others. It's their elitist annoying schtick, being rude to callers, and disrespecting Brian Wheeler.

I guess you should stay away from talk radio then. Thicken the skin.

 

[andalusian]

Nice to see Sergio in the mix more.

After 2+ seasons of disagreement on this issue , Nate and I had a little sit-down and I finally persuaded him that I know a little more about the PG position than he does.

Good for all concerned.

How is it good if we lose the game?

Sergio did not make stupid T/O mistakes last night - and that kept him in the game. He actually reverted to bad shots again last night - unfortunately, Blake who usually shoots better also had a bad shooting game. Last night we had two point guards who could not hit the open shots (between them we were 2 to 10). This is probably where we lost the game - since our SG and Center positions spanked NOH and our PF and SF positions played their opponents to a draw.

We really need an upgrade at PG, it is the main reason we are just a good team and not a great one.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I've been pleasantly surprise that Oden hasn't got near the fouls many thought he would. He did get four tonite, but how some talk he wouldn't be able to get off the bench because of all the fouls he'd get. I think he'll get the other teams bigs in foul trouble more than he'll get into foul trouble.

And two of those four fouls came on Chris Paul in the last 1:39 of the game. They were good fouls. They kept Paul from going in for a lay-up and stopped the clock when the Blazers were trying to come back. Prior to that, Oden had two fouls in 22.5 minutes against the NOH big men. That's pretty good for such a physical, aggressive rookie.

BNM