Greg Oden's First Interview Post Surgery

[Sug]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/01/trail_blazers_greg_oden_talks.html

Just a few questions quoted, go read the whole thing.

Q: Where are you at mentally right now?
A: It is tough. It’s hard to ... it’s hard, it’s tough. I can’t put it no other way. But I have good people around me and I know that once I get over this I’m going to be back out there. And that’s what I look forward to.

Q: Who are you leaning on through all this?
A: My mom. My mom. She’s a big one. I talk to her every other couple of days. She’s a big one. My mom’s always there to help you out.

Q: What does the doctor say you can do right now in your rehab?
A: I’m just doing a little bit more cardio. In two weeks. I’ll be able to do the elliptical. So right now, 40 minutes of cardio a day, some table work. That’s about it. Pool twice a week.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The questions were annoying. You can tell he didn't want to answer them.

 

[Sug]

The questions were annoying. You can tell he didn't want to answer them.

Deja Vu all over again...it must really suck to be in his shoes regardless of the money.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Deja Vu all over again...it must really suck to be in his shoes regardless of the money.

How many times does he have to hear the KDurrant question before he pops someone. I hope I am there when it happens. Please be Canzano.

 

[Minstrel]

How many times does he have to hear the KDurrant question before he pops someone. I hope I am there when it happens. Please be Canzano.

I think Oden's too intelligent and mature for that. The way he handles questions like that, questions designed to provoke IMO, is very cool and under control. He credits Durant for the great job Durant has done but returns the focus to his confidence in his own game and how he'll work to prove what he can do on the court.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It'd be interesting to see what kind of ploy Canzano would come up with to parlay his clock-being-cleaned into ratings gold for his show.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think Oden's too intelligent and mature for that. The way he handles questions like that, questions designed to provoke IMO, is very cool and under control. He credits Durant for the great job Durant has done but returns the focus to his confidence in his own game and how he'll work to prove what he can do on the court.

I agree. I still would like to see Canzano get popped though. By anyone.

 

[Minstrel]

It'd be interesting to see what kind of ploy Canzano would come up with to parlay his clock-being-cleaned into ratings gold for his show.

Worked for Jim Rome.

[video=youtube;uczUKTwgqeY]

 

[julius]

I liked hearing (reading) from Oden, but I was a little disappointed in some of his answers. Not "trade the bum!" disappointed, but more that they seemed like loaded questions and he gave "I'm tired of answering/thinking about this" answers that can easily be read to be negative.

 

[Minstrel]

I liked hearing (reading) from Oden, but I was a little disappointed in some of his answers. Not "trade the bum!" disappointed, but more that they seemed like loaded questions and he gave "I'm tired of answering/thinking about this" answers that can easily be read to be negative.

What would you have liked to hear (read)? To me, they read like the antiseptic responses modern athletes who have been clued into the media game give. Which is fine by me since they were loaded questions...why should he play Freeman's game? What should he have responded to things like "Greg, you know what I mean. Everyone thinks you're a horrible disappointment. What do you think about that? Are you a horrible disappointment? Well? Are you?"

 

[MIXUM]

hes gone guys.

you see it in his eyes.

you hear it in his answers.

 

[julius]

hes gone guys.

you see it in his eyes.

you hear it in his answers.

That was easy.

 

[Minstrel]

hes gone guys.

you see it in his eyes.

you hear it in his answers.

Season's done, too. You're good at calling these things.

 

[julius]

What would you have liked to hear (read)? To me, they read like the antiseptic responses modern athletes who have been clued into the media game give. Which is fine by me since they were loaded questions...why should he play Freeman's game? What should he have responded to things like "Greg, you know what I mean. Everyone thinks you're a horrible disappointment. What do you think about that? Are you a horrible disappointment? Well? Are you?"

That's why I'm not disappointed in his responses, as much as the typical loaded questions he'd get, and the almost all to easy to predict responses the article will get from those who like to chum the waters.

*edit*

I can see that it looked like I was upset with his answers, but I meant that I was upset with how people will react to his answers. They make his answers out to be exactly what they want them to be. Thus, I am disappointed in the whole article. It makes me to to read any posts here or many other places.

 

[maxiep]

It'd be interesting to see what kind of ploy Canzano would come up with to parlay his clock-being-cleaned into ratings gold for his show.

Deleted because Minstrel beat me to it.

 

[maxiep]

Worked for Jim Rome.

[video=youtube;uczUKTwgqeY]

Damn. Sorry Minstrel.

 

[maxiep]

By the way, fuck those people who have said negative things to his face. Do you think these injuries were his choice?

 

[B-Roy]

Asshole reporters...

 

[Minstrel]

Damn. Sorry Minstrel.

Great minds post youtube videos alike.

 

[KingSpeed]

My favorite quote: "I just want to get out there and dominate."

If he hasn't given up, I won't. Sad that he won't say he wants to play in Portland, flat out. Even LeBrin said he wanted to stay in Cleveland and he bolted. I really don't want to see Oden dominating somewhere else.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think the reason he does not like being around Portland during his rehab are the constant repetitive questions he gets all day long from Fans and Media. He sees the disappointment in everyone's eyes. It has to wear on him. People need to mix up their dialogue with the dude. I am sure the blazers probably suggested he do this one interview to satisfy the media. I doubt we will hear much from him for a couple of months. What else can he say?

 

[e_blazer]

hes gone guys.

you see it in his eyes.

you hear it in his answers.

Any way we can get that to apply to you?

 

[Further]

I like Oden, and regardless of if it's with the Blazers or some other team, I really hope one day his body gets all the kinks worked out and he can crush the NBA.

 

[PapaG]

Greg Oden is one of most tragic fictional characters in history.

 

[maxiep]

I like Oden, and regardless of if it's with the Blazers or some other team, I really hope one day his body gets all the kinks worked out and he can crush the NBA.

I will have a lot of difficulty if we let Oden go, he gets healthy and fulfills his potential.

 

[e_blazer]

I will have a lot of difficulty if we let Oden go, he gets healthy and fulfills his potential.

Agreed. It would be monumentally stupid for the Blazers not to retain the rights to match whatever offer the guy gets. You just don't see teams in the NBA get the chance to have a player of that size and ability very often. He says he's pain-free now and he's on target with his rehab. His other knee that had the earlier MF surgery is said to be stronger now than it was before the injury. It's likely that there's extra time before the next season starts due to the probability of a lockout. I think there's every reason to be optimistic that Greg will be able to play effectively next season, whenever it occurs.

 

[Further]

I will have a lot of difficulty if we let Oden go, he gets healthy and fulfills his potential.

For a while I felt the same way, but now I just want him to heal and play. Of course not for the fucking Lakers, that would be evil. But if he played for a team on the East Coast I would be happy for him. Of course, I am not giving up all hope that one day he aids the Blazers.

 

[Hey]

Q: When it comes down to it, this is a business. But is there a part of you that feels like you owe this organization something? You’ve only played 82 games in four seasons.
A: That I owe them for getting hurt? I’m just trying to say, I owe them for getting hurt? No, that’s something I can’t really control. That’s just a weird question to say. But I’ve had some bad luck and I have to deal with it.

Q: Since they drafted you No. 1, do you feel like you need to show them that you can still be that player?
A: I want to show myself. I want to get out there, dominate and do all that for me. At this time, it’s more about thinking about what I can do to better myself and show my talents out there on the court.

This is a bit disheartening to hear. I'm not blaming him for his injuries either, but he could've been a little bit more empathetic for the Portland fans who have gone crazy for him since day one and supported him through all of his injuries. Even this one, you'll hear seldom booing.

Honestly, it might sound selfish to say, but he does owe us a bit. The city has embraced him and been patiently waiting for his arrival while suffering heartbreak after heartbreak. He can't control his past injuries but he can definitely control his future with us.

 

[THE HCP]

Honestly, it might sound selfish to say, but he does owe us a bit. The city has embraced him and been patiently waiting for his arrival while suffering heartbreak after heartbreak.

Greg Oden does NOT owe the city a god-damned thing! This is the last position in the world he wants to be in. Great guy, shitty luck and I hope we keep supporting him as long as he is on our roster.

 

[andalusian]

The only thing I hope for is that if the Blazers offer him a contract similar to what some other team is willing to offer him - he will sign it. That's all he "owes" the organization, imho.