KP Wants To See Improvement In Oden

[ABM]

From: Behind The Beat

LAS VEGAS _ Kevin Pritchard has one more evaluation to conduct this week.

Greg Oden.

The Blazers general manager will watch as Greg Oden competes in USA Basketball's three-day mini-camp beginning Thursday. Oden's participation will allow Pritchard to watch the Blazers center and gauge his improvement.

"We want to see progress, that's what we want to see," Pritchard said. "We'd like for him to play well so he can get some confidence and feel good about the work he has put in."
Oden is coming off an up and down rookie season and just about anyone interested in the Blazers is wondering not only how much work Oden has done during the summer, but if _ and how quickly _ the work will translate to a noticeable development of his game next season.

"We know he has been working hard this summer," Pritchard said. "He's put in some work _ really good work _ with Coach (Bill) Bayno this summer. We want to see some improvement."

The seven-foot, 285-pound Oden averaged 8.9 points, seven rebounds and 1.13 blocked shots a game in 61 games last season. He proved he could be a force on the court, particularly on defense, during some games.

"We want to see him run the floor and do the things he does best. Playing defense, being an effective rebounder _ offensive boards and putbacks," Pritchard said. "We're looking to see him be able to guard a couple of different positions and being the physical presence down low like we know he is."

Oden's presence was limited last season, he averaged just 21.5 minutes a game and nearly four fouls a game.

"We know that when he plays and plays more than 22 minutes, our success rate goes up," Pritchard said.

The mini-camp will provide Oden an opportunity to compete against other NBA frontline players including seven-foot Brook Lopez of New Jersey, 6-foot-10 Kevin Love of Minnesota and 6-foot-8 Paul Millsap of Utah. The type of competition Oden will face during the regular season, though in a more relaxed setting.

"Number one, he's gotta get into great shape. He's been working on that this summer," Pritchard said. "He's hitting it pretty hard on the conditioning."

Others players expected to participate in the mini-camp including Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, Chicago point guard Derrick Rose and Philadelphia forward Andre Iguodala.

Oden will be the only Blazer participating in the mini-camp. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge were invited, but declined to attend. Jerryd Bayless pulled out of the mini-camp after suffering a left wrist sprain during summer league play.

The mini-camp will feature practice sessions Thursday and Friday and will finish with an intra-squad game at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday night on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Note: Pritchard said the team remains active in the free agent market and potential trades, "We're looking at all of our options," he said. ...Pritchard declined comment on the rumors that the Blazers are in negotiations to acquire Philadelphia point guard Andre Miller.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Is it just me, or should Oden be in shape by now?

Every damn article on Greg has someone saying he needs to get into shape. Christ, the guy has been working out all summer, you would think he would be.

 

[BrianFromWA]

"Guard a couple of positions?" More "Twin Towers"?

 

[PapaG]

"Guard a couple of positions?" More "Twin Towers"?

We were sold on his hyper-athleticism, considering his size, by the front office when he was drafted. His pre-draft numbers validated those claims.

On the other hand, it's an extension summer for Greg after next season, so it appears the front office is already starting negotiations by expecting him to defend more than the opposing center. Setting a baseline, one could say.

Fun times ahead.

 

[RoyToy]

Is it just me, or should Oden be in shape by now?

Every damn article on Greg has someone saying he needs to get into shape. Christ, the guy has been working out all summer, you would think he would be.

He very well could be. We'll see soon.

 

[RoyToy]

And even if he's not(which I wouldn't bet on), it's not like there isn't 3+ months until the season starts.

 

[Mediocre Man]

And even if he's not(which I wouldn't bet on), it's not like there isn't 3+ months until the season starts.

Sorry, but he played last season, has worked out all summer, and if he's not in shape now, he never will be.

 

[RoyToy]

Which is why I'm sure he's in shape right now.

 

[Minstrel]

Sorry, but he played last season, has worked out all summer, and if he's not in shape now, he never will be.

Perfect basketball shape a bit different from normal people being in good shape. Considering he's trying to both lose weight and add muscle (muscle is heavier than fat), it's a bit absurd to say "Okay, either he's in shape RIGHT NOW or he never will be." On the last update, the team wanted him to drop 10 pounds over the off-season and he had dropped 5.

If he's not in ideal shape by the time the season starts, I'll consider it a problem. Until then, I'll leave it to the people who actually know what they're doing, Oden and the trainers he's working with.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Perfect basketball shape a bit different from normal people being in good shape. Considering he's trying to both lose weight and add muscle (muscle is heavier than fat), it's a bit absurd to say "Okay, either he's in shape RIGHT NOW or he never will be."

If he's not in ideal shape by the time the season starts, I'll consider it a problem. Until then, I'll leave it to the people who actually know what they're doing, Oden and the trainers he's working with.

Every interview. That's all I'm saying.

 

[RoyToy]

I doubt he's in his best basketball shape right now(who is in the off-season?), but I'm sure his overall fitness level is much better than it was at the end of the season, and that has pretty much already been reported.

With 3+ months to go, I'm sure he'll be fine.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Which is why I'm sure he's in shape right now.

I think he is too. I just want to see them stop using that excuse. He should be in at least as good of shaoe as the other players there.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Every interview. That's all I'm saying.

If you are a dyed-in-the-wool cynic, (you know, like me) you would wonder what the motivation is.

The optimistic view: they are sending Oden a message that they are keeping an eye on the issue and they expect him to be working hard.

The pessimistic view: they are laying the groundwork for another round of excuses.

 

[Trader Ed]

Sorry, but he played last season, has worked out all summer, and if he's not in shape now, he never will be.

I read awhile back that he is working on speed, quickness and lateral movement. Not necessarily things to be in shape. Although I recall him being winded in the playoffs. Maybe endurance too then

 

[Denny Crane]

If you are a dyed-in-the-wool cynic, (you know, like me) you would wonder what the motivation is.

The optimistic view: they are sending Oden a message that they are keeping an eye on the issue and they expect him to be working hard.

The pessimistic view: they are laying the groundwork for another round of excuses.

That'd be my guess.

They're laying the groundwork for him to come out of the gate at full speed and not look back.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I think all that is being said is that at the end of the season they expected him to get into shape this summer, and that he is working on it right now. I don't think they're saying he's not in shape right now - just that it was a goal for this summer.

 

[Idog1976]

That'd be my guess.

They're laying the groundwork for him to come out of the gate at full speed and not look back.

Denny are you a Blazers fan or just a Bulls fan or a Basketball fan?

I'm a Blazers fanatic and a minor fan of other NBA teams.

P.S. Oden will be a monster by no later then January.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I'd also like to see improvement in Pritchard this off season.

 

[Idog1976]

I'd also like to see improvement in Pritchard this off season.

LMAO +1 just for hilarity.

EDIT:

Apparently I need to "spread it around" more before I can rep ya.

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

He wants to see improvement in Oden... I call bullshit. It's gotta be taken out of context or something. There's no way. If anything, I would think the front office would want Oden to regress. It just doesn't make sense that he'd say something that weird. You can't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

[Denny Crane]

Denny are you a Blazers fan or just a Bulls fan or a Basketball fan?

I'm a Blazers fanatic and a minor fan of other NBA teams.

P.S. Oden will be a monster by no later then January.

I'm a Bulls fan but I follow most of the league. I've had NBALP for years and watch games besides Bulls games.

I am exposed to the blazers fans POV here, but don't sip the same kool-aid.

The best you'll get out of me is (hopefully) knowledgeable commentary and observations, and those of an outsider with no dog in the hunt.

 

[Wheels]

Every interview. That's all I'm saying.

While I agree every interview.. but how many of these interview writers have seen Oden play in between last season? So until they see otherwise, they cant say he is in great shape.

 

[Mediocre Man]

While I agree every interview.. but how many of these interview writers have seen Oden play in between last season? So until they see otherwise, they cant say he is in great shape.

No, it's the Blazer management who says it.

 

[Wheels]

No, it's the Blazer management who says it.

fair enough, I read that on Pritchard's quote, but has he seen him this summer? Not saying it directed towards you, I am just wondering if anyone knows if KP has seen him?

 

[Chuck Taylor]

Anyone know if the scrimmages are going to be on t.v. or streamed on the web?

 

[SheedSoNasty]

He wants to see improvement in Oden... I call bullshit. It's gotta be taken out of context or something. There's no way. If anything, I would think the front office would want Oden to regress. It just doesn't make sense that he'd say something that weird. You can't believe everything you read on the internet.

That's what I was thinking. In other news, the Blazers would like to win an NBA championship some day soon, Paul Allen would like to make money off of the Blazers and most fans would like to see Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge sign extensions.

 

[Boob-No-More]

There is also a difference between being in great general physical condition and being in great basketball game shape. The physical conditioning Oden is doing this summer will lay the ground work that will enable him to be in great game shape once the season starts. The ONLY way to truly get in great basketball game shape is by playing basketball games. That's what training camp and preseason are for (and this USA Basketball minicamp, to a lesser extent). Unless they've been playing competively this summer, I doubt if very many NBA players are in great game shape right now.

Other than actually playing competitve basketball, the best conditioning I've found for improving my basketball game shape is interval training. Basketball, like many team sports involves a lot of short bursts of energy between short periods of lesser activity. Interval training helps build up your general stamina, but also helps prepare you for the repeated short bursts of energy you need while playing basketball. The best basketball shape I've ever been in was spring 2008. I was playing competitively twice a week and doing serious interval training for an hour and a half three times a week. I could play a full 48 minutes (about half my regular interval workout - with breaks during timeouts, dead balls and between quarters) against guys half my age and still be fresh and full of energy at the end of the game. Of course, the NBA is a lot more rigerous than playing a couple rec league games a week. With more games, practices, travel, etc. the players need more rest and don't have the time for (nor the need for) rigerous interval training, but it would be a great way to keep them in near game shape during the off season.

BNM

 

[JDC]

That article was very insightful

 

[blue32]

There is also a difference between being in great general physical condition and being in great basketball game shape. The physical conditioning Oden is doing this summer will lay the ground work that will enable him to be in great game shape once the season starts. The ONLY way to truly get in great basketball game shape is by playing basketball games. That's what training camp and preseason are for (and this USA Basketball minicamp, to a lesser extent). Unless they've been playing competively this summer, I doubt if very many NBA players are in great game shape right now.

Other than actually playing competitve basketball, the best conditioning I've found for improving my basketball game shape is interval training. Basketball, like many team sports involves a lot of short bursts of energy between short periods of lesser activity. Interval training helps build up your general stamina, but also helps prepare you for the repeated short bursts of energy you need while playing basketball. The best basketball shape I've ever been in was spring 2008. I was playing competitively twice a week and doing serious interval training for an hour and a half three times a week. I could play a full 48 minutes (about half my regular interval workout - with breaks during timeouts, dead balls and between quarters) against guys half my age and still be fresh and full of energy at the end of the game. Of course, the NBA is a lot more rigerous than playing a couple rec league games a week. With more games, practices, travel, etc. the players need more rest and don't have the time for (nor the need for) rigerous interval training, but it would be a great way to keep them in near game shape during the off season.

BNM

Ab-roller exercise to wind sprints, to jumping jacks, to tai-bo?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Ab-roller exercise to wind sprints, to jumping jacks, to tai-bo?

Nope. Walking, jogging, sprinting, jogging, repeat for 1 - 1.5 hours. Some people use time intervals (one minute of each), others use distance - which is what I do. I do it on a standard 400m track - walk 100 meters, jog 100m, sprint 100m, jog 100m, and repeat over and over, and over. I do a total of 32 - 40 laps (8 - 10 miles). So, at the end, I've walked 2 - 2.5 miles, jogged 4 - 5 miles and sprinted 2 - 2.5 miles. Even if you only do this for 30 minutes it's a very good cardio workout and mixing up the pace is good for simulating the variable pace of a basketball game. It's easy to do on a track becuase the lanes are marked at 100m intervals for the 4x100 relay. The rubberized surface of the track is also easier on the joints than running/jogging on streets/sidewalks.

BNM