Greg Oden Has "No Hard Timeline" For Return

[Nikolokolus]

You can thank Cho for that. He refused to sign him to an extension.

That's up there with trading Bayless for....I don't even know anymore.

You really think Cho was the person ultimately responsible for what the team decided on personnel matters last year? Allen/Kolde/Miller/Nate almost certainly put their stamp of approval on everything that transpired for good or ill.

 

[RoyToy]

You really think Cho was the person ultimately responsible for what the team decided on personnel matters last year? Allen/Kolde/Miller/Nate almost certainly put their stamp of approval on everything that transpired for good or ill.

It just goes with Cho's line of thinking. Afraid to make the big decision.

I also don't necessarily see him as a big plan thinker. He seems to have a hard-on for young teams with no big contracts. Anyone can achieve that if they want to suck long enough.

After that point I don't think Cho is the kind of guy at all to get the big deals done. It already seems to be on record that he would mull everything over 500x before making a decision, as if he were afraid to make the wrong decision.

That line of thinking seems to connect to the Oden situation. Afraid to offer too much money so he plays it safe and lets the market set his value. In essence it's just putting the decision off longer, and that seems like a very Cho thing to do. Afraid to commit.

Cho was alright(I guess?), but I can see why Paul Allen fired him, not too mention it seems Cho wanted to burn it down and restart, and that directly conflicts with what the organization wanted(which I'm happy with).

 

[THE HCP]

Was it Pizza Guy or Flowers Guy that told you that?

Nice!

 

[The Sebastian Express]

Empty promises are all he has left.

He only needs to con one team into offering him a fat deal. Better to make excuses than to risk exposure.

Yeah, that's Greg. I think he purposefully took a hammer to his knee and caused two microfracture surgeries and a broken patella just to con people for millions of dollars. Greg, who players say was becoming a leader in the locker room before his kneecap went kaboom (remember, hammered his own knee so that would happen, great con artist) and making people and himself responsible for lazy defense and play.

Man, that Greg. I bet when it is all said and done they'll make a rousing movie in the mold of Catch Me If You Can describing his detailed plot to con Paul Allen and the good people of Oregon out of his money and their loyalty/fanhood.

I am pretty outraged at this level of deceit.

 

[jlprk]

Players used to retire out of pride. Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, all of them. But then the money got bigger, so players hung on in the 1980s like afterthoughts, like a bitter taste on the back of your tongue. Now there are virtual players in computer games who never play year after year, and still get new contract after new contract.

 

[mgb]

I don't think anyone is treating Oden with kid gloves. I think most are just waiting to see if he's able to play this year and how he does. that's pretty simple. I'm hoping the Blazers do offer a 4 year contract and he takes it. Sheeesh, he's what 22? I know somewhere around there. I think he has a lot of basketball left in him and the only thing that would bother me is if he wasn't here taking the Blazers deep in the playoffs, but was doing it with another team. So have some patience, that's all you can do unless you want to whine about shit.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

At what point do you "admit you can't play and retire"? And who decides that? Obviously neither Oden or the organization are there yet.

I somewhat disagree with the bolded. The organization could have offered Oden an extension; instead, they only offered the Q.O., which they basically had to do to avoid already admitting that drafting Oden over Durant was a mistake.

There were two separate opportunities to offer an extension. The one to which you're referring--for which the alternative was the QO--would have required an offer of a MAX extension. Obviously, the organization would have had to be insane to do that. The opportunity to offer a less-than-max extension passed 10/31/10, when he was still recovering from the patella injury, but before the second microfracture.

To suggest that the lack of an extension a year ago shows that the organization is ready to get rid of Oden is ridiculous.

 

[Blazinaway]

when the new CBA is signed who really determines when Greg is ready to play? - will it be back in the hands of Blazer docs, Oden himself? This assumes he signs with us but the same question would apply to another team that signed him.

 

[PapaG]

There were two separate opportunities to offer an extension. The one to which you're referring--for which the alternative was the QO--would have required an offer of a MAX extension. Obviously, the organization would have had to be insane to do that. The opportunity to offer a less-than-max extension passed 10/31/10, when he was still recovering from the patella injury, but before the second microfracture.

To suggest that the lack of an extension a year ago shows that the organization is ready to get rid of Oden is ridiculous.

I never suggested the organization wanted to get rid of him. The extension could have been offered in summer 2010, and it wasn't. Where did I say anything about a max extension? Obviously once the decision was made to not extend Greg's rookie deal past a Q.O., the Blazers had signaled that they weren't sold on Oden's future as a Blazer. I don't see where anything I posted is outrageous, other than many people on this board have a skewed view of Greg and his current and past value to this team.

 

[jlprk]

While you're right that Oden will never play much, your post was indeed outrageous.

Where did I say anything about a max extension?

That was his point, dunderhead--that you didn't know that.

(heh heh heh)

 

[jlprk]

Just joking with you Papa.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I never suggested the organization wanted to get rid of him.

Well, let's see:
Chuck Taylor says that the organization is not at the point where they would say Oden should retire.
You say you disagree with that statement.
Seems pretty clear to me.

The extension could have been offered in summer 2010, and it wasn't. Where did I say anything about a max extension? Obviously once the decision was made to not extend Greg's rookie deal past a Q.O., the Blazers had signaled that they weren't sold on Oden's future as a Blazer.

Again, you're intermarrying the two separate extension-offer opportunities, and it's not worth it to me to explain it again. Suffice to say that I think you're reading much too much into the non-offer last summer and the QO this summer.

I don't see where anything I posted is outrageous, other than many people on this board have a skewed view of Greg and his current and past value to this team.

Well, I said ridiculous, not outrageous, and I would say that suggesting that the team is ready for Oden to retire is pretty ridiculous--as in, an opinion I believe to be worthy of ridicule. If that's not what you intended to say, then it was a pretty poorly worded post, especially for a semantic-nazi such as yourself.

 

[PapaG]

While you're right that Oden will never play much, your post was indeed outrageous.



That was his point, dunderhead--that you didn't know that.

(heh heh heh)

I wasn't talking about the max extension, though. I was talking about the lack of ANY extension while that was still an option. The Blazers could have offered Oden any contract they wanted during the summer of 2010, which was the fucking point of my post.

Also, "dunderhead"? Apparently personal attacks are now all good around here.

(heh heh heh)

 

[PapaG]

Well, let's see:
Chuck Taylor says that the organization is not at the point where they would say Oden should retire.
You say you disagree with that statement.
Seems pretty clear to me.

I said I somewhat disagree, and I certainly don't think Greg should retire. I then went on to post that the organization is not certain of Oden's future, however.

Again, you're intermarrying the two separate extension-offer opportunities, and it's not worth it to me to explain it again. Suffice to say that I think you're reading much too much into the non-offer last summer and the QO this summer.

I know the difference. I posted repeatedly about it during the summer of 2010. It seems to be you are "intermarrying" the opportunities for an extension. The Blazers could have at least offered Oden a fair extension prior to missing that deadline that was not a max extension. They did not. That is a fact.

Well, I said ridiculous, not outrageous, and I would say that suggesting that the team is ready for Oden to retire is pretty ridiculous--as in, an opinion I believe to be worthy of ridicule. If that's not what you intended to say, then it was a pretty poorly worded post, especially for a semantic-nazi such as yourself.

Ah, this is more like it. We've all been too cordial during the lockout. A 'dunderhead' and a 'nazi', all in one thread.

Bring on the season!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I know the difference. I posted repeatedly about it during the summer of 2010. It seems to be you are "intermarrying" the opportunities for an extension. The Blazers could have at least offered Oden a fair extension prior to missing that deadline that was not a max extension. They did not. That is a fact.

It was well-documented that there was no way Oden's camp would accept an offer in 2010 which was "fair" (ie, commensurate with what he had displayed). It would have been worse, PR-wise, for him to decline an $8M/year offer than for no offer to be submitted. It was mutually preferred that there was no offer.

Ah, this is more like it. We've all been too cordial during the lockout. A 'dunderhead' and a 'nazi', all in one thread.

Bring on the season!

You dislike "semantic-nazi"? Would you prefer "semantic-stylist" instead?

 

[PapaG]

It was well-documented that there was no way Oden's camp would accept an offer in 2010 which was "fair" (ie, commensurate with what he had displayed). It would have been worse, PR-wise, for him to decline an $8M/year offer than for no offer to be submitted. It was mutually preferred that there was no offer.

Yes, that's the spin that the Blazers put out to save face. Meanwhile, other reports say that Oden's camp was upset that no offer was made. We're dealing in spin and opinion now, and not the FACT that no extension was offered.

You dislike "semantic-nazi"? Would you prefer "semantic-stylist" instead?

Whatever floats your boat and makes you feel tough!

 

[STOMP]

Players used to retire out of pride. Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, all of them. But then the money got bigger, so players hung on in the 1980s like afterthoughts, like a bitter taste on the back of your tongue. Now there are virtual players in computer games who never play year after year, and still get new contract after new contract.

Juwan Howard springs to mind

STOMP

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We're dealing in spin and opinion now, and not the FACT that no extension was offered.

Much like your statement that "once the decision was made to not extend Greg's rookie deal past a Q.O., the Blazers had signaled that they weren't sold on Oden's future as a Blazer."

Clearly we're only dealing in FACTs here.

 

[PapaG]

Much like your statement that "once the decision was made to not extend Greg's rookie deal past a Q.O., the Blazers had signaled that they weren't sold on Oden's future as a Blazer."

Clearly we're only dealing in FACTs here.

The fact was that no offer was made. My opinion was that meant that the Blazers weren't sold on Oden's future as a Blazer. If you disagree, that's fine with me.

 

[HailBlazers]

Maybe your opinion's would be taken as that, if you didn't incessantly drive them all home as if they were fact.

Oden will be Back , and everyone will either be sold or not. IMO until then it's pretty much gossip based speculation to berate the Blazers MGMT like that.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Figured I would put this article here. Sorry if it has already been posted (Scroll down a bit for Oden)

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-free-agents-111128/what-top-nba-free-agents-really-worth

 

[3RA1N1AC]

The Blazers could have at least offered Oden a fair extension prior to missing that deadline that was not a max extension. They did not. That is a fact.

i know the past year is a rumor filled blur of nothingness, but is this true? are we sure he didnt turn one down?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

many times offers are floated out there non "officially" to gauge a players interest...im sure they could have signed oden on his terms, just like he didnt want to accept a deal on the blazers terms, i mean the outrage here from papag is kinda but truthfully, im sure there were talks

 

[oldmangrouch]

I'm not sure anyone is berating Blazer management over this. Does anyone seriously believe they should have given Oden an extension? Can anyone deny that waiting was the sensible choice?

 

[magnifier661]

I guarantee that Oden will be a Blazer for a long time! Book it bitches!

 

[BBert]

Figured I would put this article here. Sorry if it has already been posted (Scroll down a bit for Oden)

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-free-agents-111128/what-top-nba-free-agents-really-worth

I had to laugh at this:

Ethan Sherwood Strauss, HoopSpeak: ...I'd offer Oden four years, $24 million. This contract is a gamble, but a fantastic medical staff could convert risk into reward.

I'm still laughing.

Of the opinions opined, I like this one:

Rob Mahoney, The Two Man Game: Three years, $20 million. Throwing any kind of money at Oden is going to be a gamble, but I'm willing to roll the dice for an excellent rebounder and defender. If it works out, Oden will far exceed his contract value. If his knee collapses into itself and creates a patellar black hole, I'll utilize the new "stretch" provision to minimize the yearly cap hit my team takes as a result. Not exactly foolproof, but worth the risk.

I'd offer the shortest contract that retains his rights. Hey, it's still Paul Allen's money.

Too bad we didn't already extend Greg. If we had, we could give him and Brandon a one-season tryout, and amnesty the most crippled of the two next off season.

 

[BBert]

I guarantee that Oden will be a Blazer for a long time! Book it bitches!

Whoa! Are you a ghost?

 

[Minstrel]

I hope Oden plays this year...I'm rather curious to see him play. He was really good at Ohio State.

 

[PapaG]

Maybe your opinion's would be taken as that, if you didn't incessantly drive them all home as if they were fact.

Oden will be Back , and everyone will either be sold or not. IMO until then it's pretty much gossip based speculation to berate the Blazers MGMT like that.

I specifically stated it was my opinion. I don't know how much more clear I can be about it. If others disagree, and that there was some conspiracy to not embarrass Greg or the Blazers in summer 2010, I'm fine with that. I think it's a silly premise, though.

 

[Blazinaway]

I hope Oden plays this year...I'm rather curious to see him play. He was really good at Ohio State.

Who is this Oden guy? lol