Honest Observations on Oden

[blazerboy30]

Do you feel being overly optimistic makes the team better?

Nothing we feel as fans will make the team better. That is the point. So why not have fun with something that is supposed to be fun?

I've found a realistic approach best.

Best for what? Is your life really so boring that if the Blazers don't meet your expectations your life will feel empty? The downside to being optimistic, hoping for the best and having fun with the sport is very small or non-existent.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Do you feel being overly optimistic makes the team better? I've been supporting and following the Blazers since the 70's. I've found a realistic approach best.

I didn't like the draft day decision to take Oden over Durant in the first place. I have my opinion, I share it, and other fans have their opinion - which I can respect, while disagreeing with. I'm not here to change anyones mind - just share and be a fan, like everyone else. I've stated in the past that for the sake of the team, I hope I'm wrong. I have no faith in Oden to live up to expectations or finish a season. The guy is broken.

Actually I've always sort of figured that being realistic, pessimistic or optimistic usually has nothing do with team/player success or failure.

Maybe I'm not believing "hard" enough?

 

[Shooter]

There are fans who will read that article and go berserk at the notion that Oden has hurdles to overcome *even if healthy.*

I personally don't know anyone who feels that way. It's pretty clear that Oden has a ways to go on the offensive part of his game.

There are people who will be offended at the opinion that Oden won't be a HOFer.

Really?? Again, I don't know anyone who is convinced of this. How could they be, with his injury history?

 

[julius]

Not only did Oden miss a chuck of his FR year at OSU, he played in zero games his rookie year.

Greg missed 7 games, and came back early.

Joel played in 33, then returned the following year to play in 71. Greg played in 21 games last season...

And then payed 32 games the next year and 17 the year after that.

 

[Shooter]

So far, his "injuries" have been a sprained wrist, a MF (which is a recent phenomena and in the olden days wouldn't have lost us a year of his services) and a freak injury probably caused by improper muscle building and poor jumping style.

What???? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. "Poor jumping style"??? "Improper muscle building"?? Are you serious?

 

[Nikolokolus]

What???? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. "Poor jumping style"??? "Improper muscle building"?? Are you serious?

I blame the engineers who designed him

 

[julius]

What???? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. "Poor jumping style"??? "Improper muscle building"?? Are you serious?

over developed leg muscles can cause imbalance in your legs. If your thighs are too strong, and the muscles supporting your knee are underdeveloped, you can cause issues.

Haven't you noticed that there are certain ways to jump that cause less stress and strain on the body? When Charles Barkley hurt his back (years ago), he found out that all this time he had been rebounding and pivoting to pass the ball wrong. It put undue stress on his spinal column, and was giving him severe back pain. The body isn't meant to move or bend in certain ways, and the way he was torquing his back was really bad for it.

It's the same reason why athletes who use steroids sometimes can have weird muscle injuries. Their muscles are too strong for their body, because they did not evenly distribute the muscle building so parts can compensate for things.

If I built up my thighs to be really really strong, but didn't work on my knees and joint strength, it could cause an imbalance and injuries. If I jump wrong (and land wrong) I can cause more damage than if I jump correct. Same theory, I believe, with the "lift with your knees, not with your back".

 

[Minstrel]

The short answer: I'm not demeaning people for disagreeing. I am frustrated with people who ignore valid concerns about the team's future. Questions about Oden's health, mental state, and lost development time, are all legit issues - how can bringing them up be "wrong"?

No one is simply ignoring them. Pointing out that they haven't been recurring injuries or that he's played extremely well even with such little development time are all legit responses....why is bringing them up "wrong?"

You simply haven't liked people arguing with you. If people were ignoring you, you wouldn't even have those arguments in which to call people "homers" or kool-aid drinkers.

 

[Minstrel]

If he wasn't up for an extension (or possible restricted free agency in a lockout year) then you're right that there would be plenty of time to let it ride, instead the team and he are entering a particularly crucial period of his career

It doesn't seem like they plan to extend him this off-season or any time soon. There haven't been any rumblings of contract negotiations that I've seen. It's only next off-season that they have to make a decision on him. They can match any offer next season, so they don't risk a lot seeing what happens with him this coming season.

 

[andalusian]

I blame the engineers who designed him

Greg Oden, college-basketball-star; a man barely alive
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic baller. Greg Oden will be that man; better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.

Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta!

 

[Nikolokolus]

It doesn't seem like they plan to extend him this off-season or any time soon. There haven't been any rumblings of contract negotiations that I've seen. It's only next off-season that they have to make a decision on him. They can match any offer next season, so they don't risk a lot seeing what happens with him this coming season.

A lockout means just that, no league, no signings, no trades, no transactions. Maybe I'm reading too much into that little data point, but is it a guarantee that contract statuses for players will be rolled over when the league resumes play? That is to say, is there a guarantee that Oden's restricted status will get grandfathered in when the league resumes business at whatever point that happens? If not, then the luxury of time for more evaluation just isn't there.

 

[Minstrel]

A lockout means just that, no league, no signings, no trades, no transactions. Maybe I'm reading too much into that little data point, but is it a guarantee that contract statuses for players will be rolled over when the league resumes play? That is to say, is there a guarantee that Oden's restricted status will get grandfathered in when the league resumes business at whatever point that happens? If not, then the luxury of time for more evaluation just isn't there.

That's an interesting point. I have no idea. Well then...maybe battle lines do need to be drawn!

 

[Nikolokolus]

That's an interesting point. I have no idea. Well then...maybe battle lines do need to be drawn!

 

[maxiep]

The short answer: I'm not demeaning people for disagreeing. I am frustrated with people who ignore valid concerns about the team's future. Questions about Oden's health, mental state, and lost development time, are all legit issues - how can bringing them up be "wrong"?

Who is "ignor[ing] valid concerns about the team's future"? I just don't spend all my time worrying about when the sky may fall. Of course injuries are a concern. BFD. Now, please tell me again how what I wrote was wrong about Oden.

 

[mook]

The winner gets to be told what a vagina feels like.

 

[maxiep]

Not only did Oden miss a chuck of his FR year at OSU, he played in zero games his rookie year. Joel played in 33, then returned the following year to play in 71. Greg played in 21 games last season...

It's possible I see Joel as more of a warrior with the ability and body to return from injury, given he played in 77 and 82 games, respectively, 07-09 seasons. Haven't Oden's injuries been everywhere - wrist, knee, knee cap, ankle, etc. - while Joel's have been more centralized?

If I had to choose, I would take Oden's series of injuries all over vs. ones that reoccur on guys like Joel, Bynum, Walton and Bowie. Having an injury reoccur shows a real defect. Injuries all over point to bad luck.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If I had to choose, I would take Oden's series of injuries all over vs. ones that reoccur on guys like Joel, Bynum, Walton and Bowie. Having an injury reoccur shows a real defect. Injuries all over point to bad luck.

Actually that points to clumsiness IMO.

Every person I've ever met that is consistently breaking something or getting injured almost always has a certain awkwardness to their body and despite Oden's great explosiveness, strength and speed for his size, there's no getting around the fact that he doesn't move all that "fluidly."

 

[maxiep]

Actually that points to clumsiness IMO.

Every person I've ever met that is consistently breaking something or getting injured almost always has a certain awkwardness to their body and despite Oden's great explosiveness, strength and speed for his size, there's no getting around the fact that he doesn't move all that "fluidly."

Fluid he ain't. I still don't know how he broke his wrist, however.

 

[Shooter]

over developed leg muscles can cause imbalance in your legs. If your thighs are too strong, and the muscles supporting your knee are underdeveloped, you can cause issues.

Haven't you noticed that there are certain ways to jump that cause less stress and strain on the body? When Charles Barkley hurt his back (years ago), he found out that all this time he had been rebounding and pivoting to pass the ball wrong. It put undue stress on his spinal column, and was giving him severe back pain. The body isn't meant to move or bend in certain ways, and the way he was torquing his back was really bad for it.

It's the same reason why athletes who use steroids sometimes can have weird muscle injuries. Their muscles are too strong for their body, because they did not evenly distribute the muscle building so parts can compensate for things.

If I built up my thighs to be really really strong, but didn't work on my knees and joint strength, it could cause an imbalance and injuries. If I jump wrong (and land wrong) I can cause more damage than if I jump correct. Same theory, I believe, with the "lift with your knees, not with your back".

And yet you can't show me that any of that applies to Oden . . .

 

[hasoos]

None of these opinions matter. What will matter is how Oden does on the court, this year.

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

Right, like the year before that, and the year before that one and the year before that one. Next year at this time, some will be saying, 'This is the year for Oden. He's ready. He's an all-star. This is the year that counts.'

The guy is broken. Deal with it.

 

[julius]

And yet you can't show me that any of that applies to Oden . . .

Did you not see the tree trunk thighs (jokes about his penis aside) and spindly lower legs?

Or that all his life he's had one leg shorter than the other and that DOES throw people off balance?

Have you not paid attention to his mechanics of movement?

 

[STOMP]

Fluid he ain't. I still don't know how he broke his wrist, however.

he didn't break his wrist, he tore a ligament in it supposedly on the rim

STOMP

 

[HailBlazers]

Next year at this time, some will be saying, 'This is the year for Oden. He's ready. He's an all-star. This is the year that counts.'

Your right, we will absolutely be saying that. G.O. is not broke, he is young, he may not be put together but its only because he's not done growing (mind & body), he's got a long way to go, but when he does he will definitely be the number one pick. Just because he looks like he's 55 doesn't mean he's fully grown.

That is one thing the Vulcans can never take away from KP, making the right choice, and having some vision. The MF surgery was purposely done for the long term future and nothing else. Sorry to Break it to you Blazer Fans. Your broke!

 

[Rhal]

Right, like the year before that, and the year before that one and the year before that one. Next year at this time, some will be saying, 'This is the year for Oden. He's ready. He's an all-star. This is the year that counts.'

The guy is broken. Deal with it.

Oden is broken? I have heard NOTHING that shows Oden as being a person who's body is "broken". He is clumsy so he has injuried himself... but the guy is young and you learn from that. Its not like he has an injury that keeps recurring and is causing him to miss tons of games (Walton/Bynum/Bowie). Fact is its obvious your pissed that we picked Oden over Durant and Noah so your just bitching and whining about it to stir up drama.
I usually don't like to say someone is just a troll but you really bring nothing to any of your posts except a pessimistic outlook that doesn't seem to waver while arguing with people who have an optimistic outlook. At least MAXIM had some encouraging and interesting things to say now and then...

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

Have you read every post? My thoughts on Matthews? Roy? Batum? 50 wins during an injury-plague? The era change from Jailblazer to respectable team? I thought not.

Look kids, just because a post doesn't meet your expectations and just because my opinion doesn't "waver," doesn't make me a troll. I've been a Blazer fan since the 70's, probably have attended more games than many here and was able to see some of the Blazer Finals, in person.

I can't help it if your attitude gets middle-school simply because I called Pritchard as an egotistical and unethical goat, and pegged Oden as physically troubled while predicting Durant a force and All-Star.

Seriously, you need to come up with something more original than "troll". The mousewheel is spent.

Go Blazers. Feel better? And, I'm genuinely sorry I don't meet YOUR expectations of a fan, son.

 

[blazerboy30]

Have you read every post? My thoughts on Matthews? Roy? Batum? 50 wins during an injury-plague? The era change from Jailblazer to respectable team? I thought not.

Look kids, just because a post doesn't meet your expectations and just because my opinion doesn't "waver," doesn't make me a troll. I've been a Blazer fan since the 70's, probably have attended more games than many here and was able to see some of the Blazer Finals, in person.

I can't help it if your attitude gets middle-school simply because I called Pritchard as an egotistical and unethical goat, and pegged Oden as physically troubled while predicting Durant a force and All-Star.

Seriously, you need to come up with something more original than "troll". The mousewheel is spent.

Go Blazers. Feel better? And, I'm genuinely sorry I don't meet YOUR expectations of a fan, son.

It is great to have your own opinions. Just make sure they are actually based on something resembling facts and nobody will have a problem with your opinions. Instead, you pull random thoughts out of your backside, and claim they are facts.

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

Ok, sure. I'll pull some thoughts out of some sources rear known as "Webster". The definition of "broken" is:

Intermittently stopping and starting; discontinuous, Weakened and infirm, Not functioning; out of order

Would it sit better with you, if, instead of describing Oden as "broken" we can say he has intermittently stopped and started play, he's been weakened with injuries and has not functioned and been out of order for a majority of his time in Portland?? Or, to guard and protect our fragile emotions, shall we just say he's "challenged"?

So, you're assuming my opinions aren't based on fact? Where's Pritch today, son? I called it over a year ago and was hammered on this board. Maybe, you should exercise some form of restraint and wait and see. I have no reason to be optimistic about Oden's future based on pattern - dating back to his FR year in college.

But, like I've said a few times, I hope he can prove me wrong. But, I doubt it will happen.

 

[Rhal]

Ok, sure. I'll pull some thoughts out of some sources rear known as "Webster". The definition of "broken" is:

Intermittently stopping and starting; discontinuous, Weakened and infirm, Not functioning; out of order

Would it sit better with you, if, instead of describing Oden as "broken" we can say he has intermittently stopped and started play, he's been weakened with injuries and has not functioned and been out of order for a majority of his time in Portland?? Or, to guard and protect our fragile emotions, shall we just say he's "challenged"?

So, you're assuming my opinions aren't based on fact? Where's Pritch today, son? I called it over a year ago and was hammered on this board. Maybe, you should exercise some form of restraint and wait and see. I have no reason to be optimistic about Oden's future based on pattern - dating back to his FR year in college.

But, like I've said a few times, I hope he can prove me wrong. But, I doubt it will happen.

Troll : an internet user who sends inflammatory or provocative messages designed to elicit negative responses or start a flame-war. (As a fisherman trolls for an unsuspecting fish.) :

The way you post seems to be purposely controversial. Even in the posts i'v read of yours that are highlighting something about the blazers you are attacking someone or something in them.

If it was just you coming here and saying your opinion I wouldn't have a problem. Instead I view you as someone who is posting in very inflammable ways to try and elicit responses to contradict you

 

[Blazer_Mullet_Man]

I don't have an opinion on your post.