GREG ODEN: “IS THERE ANY PROOF THAT I’M A BUST?”

[BlazerFanForLife]

The word “Bust” gets thrown around a lot these days. Perhaps it’s the new world we live in where everyone wants information and results now, and the only thing that’s allowed time to mature is cheese and wine. But when you think about it, we’ve all been pretty unfair to Greg Oden. Sure Kevin Durant’s rise to Top 5 player in the NBA after only three years has something to do with that, but we’ve been judging G.O. since before he even played an NBA game. So you can understand why he takes exception to those who claim he’s a bust three years and 82 games into his career.
“Is there any proof that I’m a bust?” Oden told The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman. “All there is proof of is that I have bad luck with injuries. When I was out there on the floor, I think I did pretty good for myself. I’ve never really had enough time to play and actually improve. I think last year at the beginning of the year I did OK, started to head down that path. Unfortunately I had an injury. But I’ve prepared myself all summer to be an All-Star and be as healthy as I can be and I’m going to keep doing that until I’m able to do that.”

http://dimemag.com/2010/09/greg-oden-is-there-any-proof-that-im-a-bust/

 

[HailBlazers]

Perhaps it’s the new world we live in where everyone wants information and results now

No, could it Be?

Let me re-iterate G.O. did not absolutely need MF surgery, the organization chose, for the long term, to give it to him while he was unconscious under the knife

 

[BGrantFan]

Prove them wrong, Greg. I like the fight in his statements.

 

[MIXUM]

yep theres lots of proof. 82 games in 3 years. and nobody has a clue when hes coming back this season. heres a few gems on odens health ...


-- Brandon Roy on Oden and Przybilla:

"It's good to have them back around. Even though I don't think they're going to be playing for a while we wanna make sure that they're still around the team and going through drills. It's just always fun to see everybody healthy. Even though they're not playing full speed, they were running in three-man-weave -- well, Greg was -- it's just good to see guys there


and if thats not enough....



When asked if he would be ready to play by Christmas, Oden threw up his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

"I wish I could honestly say there's a timeline, but there's not," he said. "There's good days and bad days."


ITS LIKE WAKE UP ON ODEN

 

[blazerboy30]

yep theres lots of proof. 82 games in 3 years. and nobody has a clue when hes coming back this season. heres a few gems on odens health ...

So your definition of a "bust" is the number of games they play? So Kwame Brown wasn't a bust?

 

[BGrantFan]

So you're definition of a "bust" is the number of games they play? So Kwame Brown wasn't a bust?

Seems as if it's one of his definitions. I disagree with it, but he didn't say it is his only definition, did he? What does a bust like Kwame Brown have to do with Oden being injured?

 

[THE HCP]

So your definition of a "bust" is the number of games they play? So Kwame Brown wasn't a bust?

Outstanding post!

 

[HailBlazers]

ITS LIKE WAKE UP ON ODEN

Like ya man. Not that I expect you to actually answer a question, but do you like have a notification system, to like alert you like anytime a G.O. thread pops up?

 

[blazerboy30]

Seems as if it's one of his definitions. I disagree with it, but he didn't say it is his only definition, did he? What does a bust like Kwame Brown have to do with Oden being injured?

Exactly.

 

[BGrantFan]

Exactly.

Thank you. We're on the same page.

Yeah, that's my opinion. But I also don't have a problem with people thinking that injuries can make a guy a bust as well. As I posted, MIXUM did not state that injuries were his only definition of a bust. If he thinks Oden is a bust because of injury, big deal.

 

[blazerboy30]

Yeah, that's my opinion. But I also don't have a problem with people thinking that injuries can make a guy a bust as well. As I posted, MIXUM did not state that injuries were his only definition of a bust. If he thinks Oden is a bust because of injury, big deal.

Players can't overcome a lack of talent to drop the "bust" label. Players CAN overcome injuries early in their career and become great players. If Oden's injuries end his career before he can ever show the talent to drop the "bust" label (I personally think he already has shown that talent), then I will agree with MIXUM. Until then, he's making up garbage and trolling, as expected.

 

[BGrantFan]

Players can't overcome a lack of talent to drop the "bust" label. Players CAN overcome injuries early in their career and become great players. If Oden's injuries end his career before he can ever show the talent to drop the "bust" label (I personally think he already has shown that talent), then I will agree with MIXUM. Until then, he's making up garbage and trolling, as expected.

Well, that's your opinion. MIXUM's opinion seems to be that Oden has been a bust thus far, and will continue to be plagued by injury. I don't consider that an unreasonable opinion. I don't agree with it, but I can understand how some people would think that way.

 

[mook]

His face looks a lot thinner in this pic.

 

[blazerboy30]

Well, that's your opinion. MIXUM's opinion seems to be that Oden has been a bust thus far, and will continue to be plagued by injury. I don't consider that an unreasonable opinion. I don't agree with it, but I can understand how some people would think that way.

I guess I disagree that a player can be "a bust thus far". IMO, a player is either a bust or not.

 

[Shooter]

Fairly or not, a player with constant injury problems who doesn't play up to his potential is a "bust." Greg may not like the sound of it, but that's what he is until he proves otherwise.

 

[MIXUM]

WOW. Its so funny to listen to blazer fans defend Oden. Its like a mom with their kids. I root for the blazers and could care less about indivdual players like oden. Ive moved on. Anything he can do at this point is a bonus. The franchise is Roy, LA, and Batum.

But health is a big part of sports. It factors in to being a bust. If a guy never plays.... then its the same thing as being lousy. Either way hes not out there. Oden looked great last year. Problem is, his body just cant take it. It sucks, i feel bad for him but its reality. Hes never gonna play even 60 games in a season. I mean all you can hope is he's ready if we make the playoffs. I know this will make a homers eyes bleed but im sorry its the truth. If he ever could stay healthy he would be great. If i could win the lotto i would be set for life. IF .....but likely wont EVER happen.

I mean think about this and really take it in for a minute without homerism. Joel had 2 MAJOR knee surgeries in 6 months and is closer then Oden. Greg got hurt BEFORE joel did and isnt close to returning. That is not only scary (considering the age difference) its downright depressing asking.....begging....blazer fans for a reality check. Oden playing this season is becoming more and more iffy. Hate on me all you want but you know deep down inside that oden is a bust and would all take horford or durant in a heartbeat.

 

[blazerboy30]

Fairly or not, a player with constant injury problems who doesn't play up to his potential is a "bust." Greg may not like the sound of it, but that's what he is until he proves otherwise.

Greg did play at a very high level. How is that a "bust" according to your definition?

 

[MIXUM]

CAUSE HES ALWAYS HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blazerboy30]

CAUSE HES ALWAYS HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So is your only definition of a "bust" based on how many games they play?

 

[Shooter]

Greg did play at a very high level. How is that a "bust" according to your definition?

He played at a "high level" for a few games, but he's been injured for significant portions of 3 seasons, and never gotten close to the player everyone thought he would be. Thus, he's a bust.

 

[blazerboy30]

He played at a "high level" for a few games, yes. But he's been injured for significant portions of 3 seasons, and never really gotten close to the player everyone thought he would be. Thus, he's a bust.

When he was playing at a high level, he was getting close to what everyone thought he would be, especially for his age. He was dominant.

But, you're changing your definition of a "bust" from post to post. Oh well.

 

[MIXUM]

of course not. dont be stupid.

but when a guy who is 22 cant recover faster then a 30 year old that had 2 worse surgeries.... then yeah hes a fucking bust. wake up

how does that not stand out to anyone? its like .... really? really?

 

[blazerboy30]

of course not. dont be stupid.

but when a guy who is 22 cant recover faster then a 30 year old that had 2 worse surgeries.... then yeah hes a fucking bust. wake up

i

So somebody is a bust if they take longer to recover than another player? Strange definition of a bust.

 

[MIXUM]

oh no thats just a great example. a bust is a guy who doesnt live up to a fans expectations wether its because of injury, play, or criminal behavior.

hows that smart ass?

 

[Shooter]

Ah, so you're changing your definition of a "bust" from post to post. Gotcha.

Nope. You have to play well on a consistent basis in order for it to mean anything. According to your definition, Oden could put together 10 games in which he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and then retire, happy to have "reached his potential."

 

[BrianFromWA]

of course not. dont be stupid.

but when a guy who is 22 cant recover faster then a 30 year old that had 2 worse surgeries.... then yeah hes a fucking bust. wake up

how does that not stand out to anyone? its like .... really? really?

Joel said he won't be 100% for 2-3 years. Whatever Oden's timetable, I'm pretty sure it's less than that.

 

[blazerboy30]

oh no thats just a great example. a bust is a guy who doesnt live up to a fans expectations wether its because of injury, play, or criminal behavior.

His play has lived up to expectations.

You're the one playing doctor saying he will never play again.

That doesn't make him a bust.

hows that smart ass?

It is obvious why you never respond to peoples' questions to you. You don't have a prayer of backing up your crazy talk.

 

[Ed O]

I guess I disagree that a player can be "a bust thus far". IMO, a player is either a bust or not.

This is the crux of the disagreement, I think.

Has Oden played enough games? No.

Has Oden played well when he HAS played? Yes (although not as well as we would all like, he's still been very effective).

I think that, over the course of a career, a player can be called a bust if either of these are answered "no".

The question as to whether Oden is a bust is based on how "bust" is defined. Someone can't be "dead thus far" (at least not very often), so it's possible that someone sees "bust" as a permanent condition, and until/unless it's showed that there's no realistic hope of the player changing from a "no" to a "yes" in the two questions I asked above, a player can't be called a bust. Players like Ilgauskas and Camby have come back from injuries early in their careers to be effective players, and I think that Oden certainly has a good chance to do the same.

Ed O.

 

[MIXUM]

shooter.. he has no clue. to him oden wins championships on paper and prob thinks theres a galaxy where luke Skywalker is a jedi.

 

[HailBlazers]

Wow, thanks for showing me the light guys!

If Oden doesn't win 15 championships then he's a bust, so he's most likely a bust. Glad we got that settled.