Greg Oden's First Interview Post Surgery

[Minstrel]

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.

Empathetic? This is his life and profession, it's just our hobby and entertainment. I think it's taking things well out of perspective to suggest that players need "empathy" for fans in a situation like this (where injuries outside his control have essentially wrecked his early career).

I don't think he owes the team anything. Yes, they paid him a lot of money and didn't get a lot of production in return, but rookie deals are a gamble for both sides. If Oden had stayed healthy and dominated each season, the Blazers wouldn't have paid him anything near his market value. I hope he chooses to stay with Portland when push comes to shove, but I don't think he has an obligation to.

 

[e_blazer]

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.

You probably know this, but just in case you'd forgotten: Assuming the Blazers make the qualifying offer, as Miller has said they will, then Greg will be a restricted free agent. Unless he just signs the qualifying offer and plays out one year on that contract, the Blazers have the right to match any offer he gets.

 

[mgb]

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.

He said that he hears more negative from fans than positive so he might not see it that way.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I cant wait to see GO come back and play 8 healthy and dominate seasons in a Trail Blazers uniform! It will happen! At least I keep telling myself that, hoping it will come true!

 

[PapaG]

He said that he hears more negative from fans than positive so he might not see it that way.

I wonder what kind of negative things he hears from fans? I find that very hard to believe, unless he himself is somewhat pessimistic and assumes the worst in any comment from the fans.

I won't be surprised if he takes the Q.O. and decides to be a UFA after the next season. He had a chance last night on national TV to at the very least insinuate he was open to returning to the Blazers; instead, when offered the opportunity, he seems insulted that the question should even be asked.

I think he's gonzo.

 

[PapaG]

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

Again, what negative things is he hearing from people? I think he just found an opportunity to put some distance between himself and the Portland fanbase, so he took it.

 

[andalusian]

You probably know this, but just in case you'd forgotten: Assuming the Blazers make the qualifying offer, as Miller has said they will, then Greg will be a restricted free agent. Unless he just signs the qualifying offer and plays out one year on that contract, the Blazers have the right to match any offer he gets.

Yes, I am aware of it. This was more in the - if he decides to take the qualifying offer for one year and this happens the year after. That's all I think he "owes" to the franchise. Nothing more.

 

[e_blazer]

I wonder what kind of negative things he hears from fans? I find that very hard to believe, unless he himself is somewhat pessimistic and assumes the worst in any comment from the fans.

I won't be surprised if he takes the Q.O. and decides to be a UFA after the season. He had a chance last night on national TV to at the very least insinuate he was open to returning to the Blazers; instead, when offered the opportunity, he seems insulted that the question should even be asked.

I think he's gonzo.

I really can't see that happening given his injury history. The Blazers and many other teams would offer him at least full MLE money and they could choose to front-load it like they did with Matthews. Take the QO at something like $8.5M or a guaranteed $37M and probably more than that? Doesn't seem like much of a choice when you're not sure how your knees are going to hold up. Unless he's really, really PO'd at the Blazers for some reason, I just can't see it happening.

 

[PapaG]

Yes, I am aware of it. This was more in the - if he decides to take the qualifying offer for one year and this happens the year after. That's all I think he "owes" to the franchise. Nothing more.

I agree with that, and in reality, taking the Q.O. may be his best option. It's for ~$9.2 million, and after that, he goes to the highest bidder. Injuries are always going to be a concern for any team that employs him. May as well make some cash next year, then see if a team where you want to play makes an attractive offer. The only advantage Portland would have is the option for a 6th year of max money (if that is still in the CBA), but I don't see any possible way that Allen/Miller/Cho would sign him to that contract.

I just don't see how this ends well for the Blazers if Oden accepts the Q.O., unless he then is traded next year in a deadline deal.

 

[Minstrel]

He had a chance last night on national TV to at the very least insinuate he was open to returning to the Blazers

He did suggest he was open to returning in the interview with Freeman, linked above.

Q: Do you want to be with the Blazers next year and going forward?
A: You know what, that’s out of my hands. I can’t control that. I want to be where I can play and be healthy. Hopefully that can be here. I’m here now. But that’s definitely out of my hands.

...

Q: But if it does, will you? Do you want to come back?
A: When the time comes, most likely. But that has to happen down the line.

That is actually more positive on a return than I expected him to be in his answer. I expected him to be 100% non-committal.

 

[PapaG]

I really can't see that happening given his injury history. The Blazers and many other teams would offer him at least full MLE money and they could choose to front-load it like they did with Matthews. Take the QO at something like $8.5M or a guaranteed $37M and probably more than that? Doesn't seem like much of a choice when you're not sure how your knees are going to hold up. Unless he's really, really PO'd at the Blazers for some reason, I just can't see it happening.

Perhaps he isn't even PO'd at the Blazers, but he's just over it all here, and is finding reasons to leave? I wouldn't blame the guy if he wanted to try and start over his career in another city. I wouldn't be at all happy, and I would want him to fail, but sometimes being happy is more important than making money. Plus, if he goes to UFA, there is always the chance that an Indy or a Cleveland goes all in on his potential.

 

[PapaG]

He did suggest he was open to returning in the interview with Freeman, linked above.

Q: Do you want to be with the Blazers next year and going forward?
A: You know what, that’s out of my hands. I can’t control that. I want to be where I can play and be healthy. Hopefully that can be here. I’m here now. But that’s definitely out of my hands.

...

Q: But if it does, will you? Do you want to come back?
A: When the time comes, most likely. But that has to happen down the line.

That is actually more positive on a return than I expected him to be in his answer. I expected him to be 100% non-committal.

Thanks for posting that, Minstrel. The TV interview he came off as much more, um, distant? Is that the word I'm looking for to describe him?

Anyhow, I'm glad Greg opened up more to Freeman about coming back to the Blazers. I just don't want the guy to leave. We've all invested too much time in him to not see how this movie ends.

 

[Kaydow]

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.

I guess you're a better man than I am. That's just too bitter a pill for me to swallow if he goes somewhere else and stays healthy, because if that happens he WILL be a top 5 Center in the league. Probably not HOF type good, but good enough.

I have this fear that Oden is gone no matter what. I know so many have written him off. You know what? He's 22. Look at how bad Sabonis struggled with injuries in his 20's. When he got to Portland at age 31, he was a shell of himself physically. But he was a big guy with skills, and even a 50% Sabas was a really good NBA Center. It's quite possible Greg could come back from all this, but I don't think there's a chance it will be here (long term anyways). Even if we dangle the QO, and he accepts . . . he becomes unrestricted FA at the end of next season. Can you imagine how nerve racking it will be if he comes back next season and starts tearing it up? Everybody that hated on Greg will beg him to stay and he'll be right there showing Portland we're #1 while riding out of town on his horse.

I know that I'll get blasted for this, but I privately wished they would have tried to extend him. It's a huge gamble, but his price tag couldn't have been that high. Maybe 8 million/year? And if he comes back healthy you know you get way more value than that. Not only that, but at least if they would have offered something . . . in my way of thinking that might have meant something to Greg. That they would reach out and say "We can't max you up big fella, but we still believe in you." He may have declined a low offer anyways, but at least he might still feel as though people wanted him around. And that could have factored in to a potential decision as an UFA. As it stands right now I just don't see a scenerio where he's a Blazer in 2 years, no matter what happens next season.

 

[jlprk]

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.

You picked the exact part I was going to quote. He gave good answers except for that. The correct answer is, "I owe Portland fans for their patience, and Paul Allen for the pay I've taken, and so I hope to stay with the Blazers on my next contract."

Q: Do you want to be with the Blazers next year and going forward?

A: You know what, that’s out of my hands. I can’t control that. I want to be where I can play and be healthy. Hopefully that can be here. I’m here now. But that’s definitely out of my hands.

Q: But if it does, will you? Do you want to come back?

A: When the time comes, most likely. But that has to happen down the line.

That is actually more positive on a return than I expected him to be in his answer. I expected him to be 100% non-committal.

Funny. I expect him to be the opposite, to the employer who has paid him $22M for nothing but pure trouble. (At least verbally, he should pretend there's no chance he'll dump us, even if he's planning to.)

 

[Minstrel]

Funny. I expect him to be the opposite, to the employer who has paid him $22M for nothing but pure trouble.

If Oden had remained healthy and been one of the two best centers in the league the last few years, the Blazers wouldn't have made sure to pay him more for those years. It's a risk/reward proposition for the team: you may get more value than you paid for, you may get less.

I don't think Oden "owes" the Blazers anything, for injuries that were beyond his control. Similarly, I don't think the team would have owed him anything if he had been far more valuable than his salary.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

I think a little loyalty from Oden would be nice, especially after all that we've invested in him. If he chooses another team over us now, I would be pretty pissed.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

How many times do you hear players thank organizations for believing in them and wanting to prove themselves to the organization.

Blazer managment has done nothing but support and believe in Oden since the day they have drafted him. They have done everything to help foster and develop him. They invested the #1 overall draft pick in him and paid him millions over the years. . . maybe he isn't legally obligated to the Blazers but it disturbs me that he doesn't feel some moral obligation to prove that he was worth a top draft pcik and there is a reason the Blazers have supported him for all these years.

It's that kind of lack of feeling passionate for his organization that I sense is his whole personality. Where is the passion big guy.

You hate to compare but Durant signs a max year no player option for OKC. He could have had a player option after year 3 or 4. Instead he shows a passionate commitment to an organization . . . which is just like he plays the game.

 

[RoyToy]

I think a little loyalty from Oden would be nice, especially after all that we've invested in him. If he chooses another team over us now, I would be pretty pissed.

Loyalty is overrated in sports. The second Roy got hurt the city wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Expecting the players to show loyalty when the fans don't is ridiculous imo.

I hope Greg Oden does what's best for him and is able to stay on the court.

 

[Minstrel]

Loyalty is overrated in sports. The second Roy got hurt the city wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Expecting the players to show loyalty when the fans don't is ridiculous imo.

I hope Greg Oden does what's best for him and is able to stay on the court.

I fully agree. No one bats an eye when a team tries to cut ties with a player that they perceive to have no more value to them. It's smart business...fans would be outraged if a team kept a worthless player at a high salary, when they could ditch him, just for sentiment's sake.

Yet, for some reason, players are supposed to feel a great deal of loyalty. It is a business...for both sides.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

Loyalty is overrated in sports. The second Roy got hurt the city wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Expecting the players to show loyalty when the fans don't is ridiculous imo.

I hope Greg Oden does what's best for him and is able to stay on the court.

Our organization has epitomized loyalty when it comes to Roy. According to Larry Miller, we signed Roy to a max deal knowing his knees were looking bad because he had "earned it". I don't know how you can be more loyal than that.

 

[RoyToy]

Our organization has epitomized loyalty when it comes to Roy. According to Larry Miller, we signed Roy to a max deal knowing his knees were looking bad because he had "earned it". I don't know how you can be more loyal than that.

He may have earned that contract, but as of right now he's certainly not worth it anymore. If the Blazers had an option to take Roy's contract off the books they would do it.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

He may have earned that contract, but as of right now he's certainly not worth it anymore. If the Blazers had an option to take Roy's contract off the books they would do it.

We signed him knowing there was a risk this could happen. Even if we could use an amnesty clause he still gets paid. I don't think you can spin this to be anything other than the Blazers being loyal to the face of the franchise. You can argue it was dumb to sign him (it probably was) but this example shows that sometimes loyalty is factored in, even though it is a business.

As for Oden, I agree he doesn't really "owe" us anything. There's no law or rule saying he has to sign our qualifying offer. But sticking around and being loyal would show good character. That seems like something us fans should hope for...maybe even expect.

 

[RoyToy]

We signed him knowing there was a risk this could happen. Even if we could use an amnesty clause he still gets paid. I don't think you can spin this to be anything other than the Blazers being loyal to the face of the franchise. You can argue it was dumb to sign him (it probably was) but this example shows that sometimes loyalty is factored in, even though it is a business.

At the time, sure, the Blazers were being loyal. But I don't buy for one second the team wouldn't terminate that contract if they could like teams can in the NFL. They know there's no option like that and they know they're stuck paying Roy a MAX salary. And while Roy eventually did get the MAX salary it wasn't a easy process at all.

As for Oden, I agree he doesn't really "owe" us anything. There's no law or rule saying he has to sign our qualifying offer. But sticking around and being loyal would show good character. That seems like something us fans should hope for...maybe even expect.

If I'm in Oden's position, I make what I think is the best decision for me. If it's staying with the Blazers, awesome. If the best decision is going to another team, good luck. I don't think for one second Oden would be showing a lack of character if he didn't stay, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

At the time, sure, the Blazers were being loyal. But I don't buy for one second the team wouldn't terminate that contract if they could like teams can in the NFL. They know there's no option like that and they know they're stuck paying Roy a MAX salary. And while Roy eventually did get the MAX salary it wasn't a easy process at all.



If I'm in Oden's position, I make what I think is the best decision for me. If it's staying with the Blazers, awesome. If the best decision is going to another team, good luck. I don't think for one second Oden would be showing a lack of character if he didn't stay, but that's just my opinion.

So what if they would terminate it now? My point is that it's not unheard of for loyalty to come into play when negotiating contracts, and we have to look no further than the Blazers & Brandon Roy.
I think if Oden thinks there is a situation out there that is significantly better for him, then you're probably right & he should take it. But I can't think of what that situation would even be. So if Portland is near the top of his list, hopefully loyalty will come into play.

 

[BBert]

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

In that event, I would become suicidal. After first becoming homicidal.

 

[BBert]

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.

Agreed.

 

[PapaG]

He may have earned that contract, but as of right now he's certainly not worth it anymore. If the Blazers had an option to take Roy's contract off the books they would do it.

Part of me thinks the Blazers knew something in terms of the new CBA while offering that contract. Amnesty + cap relief? It would make sense at that point for Paul Allen to reward an injured player who quite literally saved Portland's NBA franchise (IMO).

IF Brandon is ever waived as an amnesty player, regardless of cap implications, I think he'll be a part of the Blazer franchise after his playing days are over.

 

[BBert]

Our organization has epitomized loyalty when it comes to Roy. According to Larry Miller, we signed Roy to a max deal knowing his knees were looking bad because he had "earned it". I don't know how you can be more loyal than that.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Minstrel]

So what if they would terminate it now? My point is that it's not unheard of for loyalty to come into play when negotiating contracts, and we have to look no further than the Blazers & Brandon Roy.

It's highly debatable that they did the deal out of loyalty. Knowing his knees were a risk doesn't mean they were showing loyalty...it means that they knowingly took a risk. They may have felt the downside of not taking the risk was too great (potentially seeing their face of the franchise walk and have a healthy career elsewhere), they may have felt the risk was not that huge, etc.

Maybe it was loyalty, but I certainly wouldn't default to that. My guess (and it is only a guess) is that the team was unwilling to face the wrath of fans if they didn't lock Roy up.

 

[jlprk]

IF Brandon is ever waived as an amnesty player, regardless of cap implications, I think he'll be a part of the Blazer franchise after his playing days are over.

The new CBA's amnesty will pay him in full, and take him off the cap. With wealth like that, he'll never work on any team staff in a salary position.