"Greg Oden May Not Be Kevin Durant..........."

[ABM]

...But He Can Still Come Back to Be NBA Star."

http://www.nesn.com/2010/09/greg-od...ut-he-can-still-come-back-to-be-nba-star.html

Don't worry, Stephen Strasburg -- it's not only baseball where the top overall draft pick is cursed.
In the NBA, we just endured a nightmare season in which three of the last six No. 1 guys fell victim to season-ending injuries, in the process dashing the aspirations of three young teams all sorely hurting for a big man. But luckily, they're all on the way back soon, so we ask: Who has the comeback of the year -- Blake Griffin, Greg Oden or Andrew Bogut?

All three suffered devastating injuries this past season, dealing knockout punches not only to their own seasons, but to the franchises counting on them..............

.....................But no one has a brighter future than a healthy Greg Oden -- if that man exists, that is.

Think back to the summer of 2007, when we were all comparing the young Ohio State phenom to Texas' world-beating force of Kevin Durant. Everyone agreed -- Durant's talents were out of this world, but Oden was the pick at No. 1. He was the guy who redefined your team for the next decade. He was the guy that put you in position for multiple titles. He was the can't-miss pick, the guaranteed franchise player.

A lot of people are quick to revoke that viewpoint now. Durant is the future of the league, and Oden has lost that argument, hands down.

But we've still yet to see what Oden can do if he reaches his full potential.

Get this -- Greg Oden is still only 22. He still has the size, the strength, and the raw skills to be a dominating big man on both ends of the floor. He just needs a little experience… and two good kneecaps.

Oden has a few tiny weaknesses here and there. He gets into foul trouble, he still could use some more mobility, he still needs work on diversifying his game offensively. But the kid also has the talent and the work ethic to overcome any weaknesses he might have.

Three years ago, we all thought Greg Oden could grow into a basketball legend.

And honestly, he still could. Just wait until he gets that chance.

 

[mgb]

But no one has a brighter future than a healthy Greg Oden -- if that man exists, that is.

That's what it all comes down to.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Hypothetically speaking, for the third straight summer.

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

Interesting how people read and highlight in their minds what they want to see...

"than a healthy Greg Oden -- if that man exists, that is."

I have nothin' to point me in the direction that "that man" exists. Do you?

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

"Three years ago, we all thought Greg Oden could grow into a basketball legend."

This isn't true either. Prior to pre-draft workouts, I could have gone either way. When I read about the possible red-flags regarding Oden's health, and read that Oden couldn't keep his wind, didn't have great workouts and had to apologize and rest...while Durant blew staff away...I figured it would be enough for the Blazers to take the best talent... I was hoping Portland would trade the #1 pick to Seattle, in exchange for an agreement to draft Durant and give Oden to Seattle, in return for #2 and Ray Allen.

Instead, we find ourselves in the same boat we have for the past few years. Wondering and questioning what went wrong and if Oden will ever play a season.

Sorry for the rant...but, just had to say the article was wrong. I penned Durant as legend with assurance and was skeptical regarding Oden.

 

[Nhawz]

Im getting goosebumbs!

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

Im getting goosebumbs!

That move on Bynum he did at 2:40 in that clip is really something I've not seen from a 7'0 true center since Shaq. To have footspeed like that from someone that big is amazing when they leave guys holding their jocks like that.

 

[THE HCP]

And once again.........

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

And once again.........

That is still one of the top mixes I've seen for a player. Well done.

I know it would lose a little of the consistency (since all of those highlights are from the pros), but it would be pretty awesome to have a couple of his college/high school highlights mixed in there because he's got 2-3 that make your jaw drop when he was a little younger (like skying and dunking 10 feet from the rim and some incredible athletic spots). Just saying they are jaw-dropping and maybe you could mix it in and nobody would notice he was wearing a different uniform (LOL).

 

[Nikolokolus]

"Three years ago, we all thought Greg Oden could grow into a basketball legend."

This isn't true either. Prior to pre-draft workouts, I could have gone either way. When I read about the possible red-flags regarding Oden's health, and read that Oden couldn't keep his wind, didn't have great workouts and had to apologize and rest...while Durant blew staff away...I figured it would be enough for the Blazers to take the best talent... I was hoping Portland would trade the #1 pick to Seattle, in exchange for an agreement to draft Durant and give Oden to Seattle, in return for #2 and Ray Allen.

Instead, we find ourselves in the same boat we have for the past few years. Wondering and questioning what went wrong and if Oden will ever play a season.

Sorry for the rant...but, just had to say the article was wrong. I penned Durant as legend with assurance and was skeptical regarding Oden.

You might be telling the truth, but it's pretty easy to throw this kind of thing out there after the fact.

 

[THE HCP]

That is still one of the top mixes I've seen for a player. Well done.

I know it would lose a little of the consistency (since all of those highlights are from the pros), but it would be pretty awesome to have a couple of his college/high school highlights mixed in there because he's got 2-3 that make your jaw drop when he was a little younger (like skying and dunking 10 feet from the rim and some incredible athletic spots). Just saying they are jaw-dropping and maybe you could mix it in and nobody would notice he was wearing a different uniform (LOL).

I'll see about getting some of his older stuff and do that!

 

[MadeFromDust]

"Three years ago, we all thought Greg Oden could grow into a basketball legend."

This isn't true either. Prior to pre-draft workouts, I could have gone either way. When I read about the possible red-flags regarding Oden's health, and read that Oden couldn't keep his wind, didn't have great workouts and had to apologize and rest...while Durant blew staff away...I figured it would be enough for the Blazers to take the best talent... I was hoping Portland would trade the #1 pick to Seattle, in exchange for an agreement to draft Durant and give Oden to Seattle, in return for #2 and Ray Allen.

Instead, we find ourselves in the same boat we have for the past few years. Wondering and questioning what went wrong and if Oden will ever play a season.

Sorry for the rant...but, just had to say the article was wrong. I penned Durant as legend with assurance and was skeptical regarding Oden.

Just because you feel that way doesn't make it wrong, I too had Oden pinned as a legendary player, which he might have been had he not gotten injured. He still has time to salvage his career though.

 

[STOMP]

Im getting goosebumbs!

And once again.........

some posters might argue that these links don't exist

speak of the devil...

Interesting how people read and highlight in their minds what they want to see...

"than a healthy Greg Oden -- if that man exists, that is."

I have nothin' to point me in the direction that "that man" exists. Do you?
When I read about the possible red-flags regarding Oden's health, and read that Oden couldn't keep his wind, didn't have great workouts...

right. That wasn't a healthy GO in those links. The predraft numbers were imaginary and swollen tonsils are a serious uncorrectible condition. Thanks for the insight... <insert Forest Gump quote here>

STOMP

 

[Idog1976]

some posters might argue that these links don't exist

speak of the devil...

right. That wasn't a healthy GO in those links. The predraft numbers were imaginary and swollen tonsils are a serious uncorrectible condition. Thanks for the insight... <insert Forest Gump quote here>

STOMP

Indeed.

By the way this is my favorite Oden game as a pro although some of his 2009/10 games were better, my fave is still the unlikely win vs Boston in 2008 that he and Outlaw anchored.

 

[ebott]

some posters might argue that these links don't exist

That wasn't a healthy GO in those links.

But him doing what's in those links in any meaningful manner is completely imaginary at this point. He's done nothing that should give anyone any hope that he'll be able to do so in the future.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Saying Greg is going to have a big break out year is a bit unfair to him, IMO.

It'll take a while for him to come back psychologically from all these injuries.

 

[Rhal]

I could care less if oden came out and just completely dominated next season. I just want him to have a healthy season of 70+ games

 

[STOMP]

But him doing what's in those links in any meaningful manner is completely imaginary at this point. He's done nothing that should give anyone any hope that he'll be able to do so in the future.

his having dominated NBA games is imaginary? There is no hope at all looking forward? Good grief sunshine...

Saying Greg is going to have a big break out year is a bit unfair to him, IMO.

It'll take a while for him to come back psychologically from all these injuries.

Geez it's like labor day weekend brought out the despair for some. Greg has only suffered one injury in the last year, a broken bone. Broken bones have pretty conclusively proven to heal up as good as new. Do you really think a guy as bright as Greg is moping around feeling snakebiten about something thats so obviously going to be behind him? Dude's next contract is on the horizon... that and the stacked team he plays on should allow him to stay focused on what he can control... his body/game, getting better one day at a time.

Reports are he's been doing just that

STOMP

 

[HailBlazers]

Oden couldn't keep his wind, didn't have great workouts and had to apologize and rest...while Durant blew staff away...I figured it would be enough for the Blazers to take the best talent...

Oden beat Durant in the Cross Court sprint. That's pretty unbelievable for a Big Man to be that agile. While its true KD was one of the most NBA ready draft picks Ever, G.O.'s potential is unlike any center since Shaq. Yes Oden was the project pick, But a project is something you take a Long Term view on. Yes the short term has been Brutal, but the potential is still there and closer than ever. Greg has learned a lot about himself, his body, and his game the last few years. What doesn't break you only makes you stronger and G.O. is undoubtedly stronger now that when we drafted him thanks to the trials he's suffered through. I see the Blazers having a very Bright Future. You would too if you took your head out of the clouds of the Past.

P.S. we don't need Kevin Durant, we got Brandon Roy and Nicolas Batum

 

[blazerboy30]

But him doing what's in those links in any meaningful manner is completely imaginary at this point. He's done nothing that should give anyone any hope that he'll be able to do so in the future.

What are you talking about? The fact that he has already done it doesn't provide any hope that he can do it?

Does... not... compute.

 

[ebott]

What are you talking about? The fact that he has already done it doesn't provide any hope that he can do it?

Does... not... compute.

The major distinguishing point is the "meaningful manner" part of the post. If he had delivered in the 09 playoffs I'd have some more hope. If he were more consistent during this last season I'd have more hope. If he had ever stayed healthy for a full season I'd have more hope.

What I find when I look back on Greg Oden's body of work is that he's had a lot of meaningless flashes. So I chose not to factor him in when I think about the future of this team.

 

[ebott]

his having dominated NBA games is imaginary? There is no hope at all looking forward? Good grief sunshine...

STOMP

I just can't help but be filled with doom and gloom when I think about Greg Oden. I look back on this past season and I'm only seeing a couple games where he clearly dominated. I'm seeing a lot more inconsistency and games where he didn't contribute that much because he came really close to fouling out.

IF he can stay healthy maybe he'll be able to round out those rough edges and be a useful player. I'm not counting on it. I fully expect him to be traded mid season for a more consistent player with less upside.

 

[HailBlazers]

I chose not to factor him in when I think about the future of this team.

Ahhhh.... common thread around Blazer Nation, people afraid to get their Hearts Broken.

 

[Minstrel]

The major distinguishing point is the "meaningful manner" part of the post. If he had delivered in the 09 playoffs I'd have some more hope. If he were more consistent during this last season I'd have more hope.

So all of 2008-09 is disqualified because he, as a rookie, was out-played by arguably the best center in basketball. And then his even better play in 2009-10 is disqualified because he didn't play long enough (as he did in 2008-09).

That honestly doesn't make much sense. It sounds more like hunting for reasons not to count Oden's play, rather than reasonable, thought-out skepticism.

 

[Minstrel]

I fully expect him to be traded mid season for a more consistent player with less upside.

If the goal is to win as many games as possible without ever being a true title contender, that would be a logical move. A more consistent player with less upside would improve the team's floor and drop their ceiling.

Since I really don't care about the difference between 40 wins with no title and 50 wins with no title, but do really care about the difference between 50 wins with no title and 55-60 wins with a title, I'd much rather have the risk/reward proposition of Oden.

But I realize not everyone may feel as I do. Some people might prefer more certainty, even if that certainty cuts both ways...certain 50+ wins, certain no championship.