John Hollinger predicts Greg Oden will win sixth man award

[Boise Blazer]

Depending on how well Camby plays this year, I could see Greg coming off the bench. Whatever works and gets us to the next level.

Whatever works is exactly right. If they are healthy and productive minutes for Oden then I could care less if they are off the bench. I would hope that when he is healthy that if even they are off the bench minutes that it is closer to 30+ minutes.

And unfortunately its probably not realistic to think that Camby will be healthy all year either so eventaully Oden (or Przy for that matter) will slide into the starting spot at some point and if it helps Oden by starting on the bench before Camby misses that time then so be it. And in a best case scenario and all 3 centers are healthy then you simply roll with whoever is getting it done that night. It seems unlikely that at least one of the 3 wont be on their "A" game each night. And if there are injuries the starters and bench will work themselves out nicely. Its kind of a good problem to have.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Oden playing well and Oden coming off the bench are mutually exclusive.

If Oden is playing well enough to be the league's best bench player, then he will supplant Camby--no doubt. The only #1 overall picks to ever win the 6MOY award are Bill Walton ('86) and Danny Manning ('98), and both were in their 30s, on the downsides of their careers. Top picks don't sit if they're any good.

Manning is also the last player over 6'8" to win the award; it generally goes to wing players who provide an offensive spark off the bench. Rudy and Wes each have a better chance of winning the award than Greg does.

 

[LittleAlex]

Oden playing well and Oden coming off the bench are mutually exclusive.

If Oden is playing well enough to be the league's best bench player, then he will supplant Camby--no doubt. The only #1 overall picks to ever win the 6MOY award are Bill Walton ('86) and Danny Manning ('98), and both were in their 30s, on the downsides of their careers. Top picks don't sit if they're any good.

Manning is also the last player over 6'8" to win the award; it generally goes to wing players who provide an offensive spark off the bench. Rudy and Wes each have a better chance of winning the award than Greg does.

This.

Plus, if Greg does come off the bench all season it is yet another year before the actual team everyone is looking forward to (Roy, Batum, LMA, Oden and <Point Guard to be named later>) get a chance to gel on court.

 

[Ed O]

is Hollinger really that big of a Portland guy?

He used to handle the OregonLive Blazers stuff before he got rich and famous.

Ed O.

 

[HailBlazers]

I like the idea of Greg coming off the bench so he can polish his game at his pace and not feel pressured to foul and overwork