Merged: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this? / Oden and Bayless working out

[Nikolokolus]

Bayless has picked the right guy to get behind if he wants to stay on this team.

Also, there is no news yet about a possible one-on-one basketball coach for Oden?

I remember reading a few articles between Jason Quick and Ben from Blazersedge.com, where it was mentioned that Jerryd and Greg are each others BFF on the team. Personally, I think the two have a lot in common by failing to live up to their own and others' high expectations their rookie season -- there's probably an element of misery loving company there.

Whatever the motivation for their friendship and for Jerryd deciding to go hang out in Columbus for a little while I think it's a great way for those two to get comfortable playing together and when you have a work out partner with a maniacal work ethic like Jerryd's it can do nothing but push Greg to work harder.

Anything that makes it more likely for a Blazers point guard to get Greg involved in the offense and pushes him to work harder is fine by me.

 

[Sinobas]

I hope Greg comes back to Portland in September and starts doing some hard core skill training. I also hope he comes back with massively strong legs.

 

[MAS RipCity]

My man crush on Bayless went up a little bit.
This is exactly the reason why he will be a great player in the NBA; Drive.
He just wants it more than everyone else. I am so glad he is working out with Greg and pushing him too.
Fuck Rubio. Fuck Conley. Fuck Sessions.
JB is the future backcourt mate to Roy.

 

[alex42083]

Great news. And I love that it's Jerryd that's going. I really want Bayless to work out and be that backcourt mate with Brandon. His nastiness and take no shit attitude would be great come playoff time.

 

[adrenalize74]

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

Actually you have little, if any proof that the Blazers trainer/medical staff were responsible for any of the issues you listed above. From what I understand Greg did the bulk buildup on his own and got told to stop it, and as far as the multiple red flags, I highly doubt you know what red flags were and were not raised when the decision was made. Maybe at the time, there weren't any red flags, because he wasn't hurt.

Exactly what happened. The only "red flag" I remember reading about what his leg that is 1.5" shorter than the other.

But, since everyone knows GO was overweight (not just body fat, but extra upper body muscle too) and had not been doing explosive lower body training, like squats, it gives me a HUGE boost in confidence that GO will show tons of improvement and look like the dominator we drafted.

 

[RickyRubio]

This is great news! I didn't know Bayrex was going with him. He is a total gym rat and hopefully will push Greg and make him tougher.

 

[Tince]

Bayless has picked the right guy to get behind if he wants to stay on this team.

Also, there is no news yet about a possible one-on-one basketball coach for Oden?

On "Talking Ball" three weeks ago, Dean Demopoulos said Oden does not need a 1:1 coach. I know that won't be a popular response with most people, but I agree with him. He said Greg needs to work on the basic fundamentals and he believes between him, Nate, Monty, and the rest of the coaching staff, there is plenty of knowledge there.

Once Greg gets to the point where he has the basics down, then we can hire a big man coach such as Alonzo, Ewing, etc. Until then, I think Bano will do a fine job.

He did mention that they would be willing to pay a big guy to practice / "bang" against him over the summer. That's really what he needs is someone to simulate an NBA center. A 7'0", 45-60 year old big man coach, won't be strong enough or quick enough to duplicate anything Greg will see on a night to night basis.

 

[Mediocre Man]

On "Talking Ball" three weeks ago, Dean Demopoulos said Oden does not need a 1:1 coach. I know that won't be a popular response with most people, but I agree with him. He said Greg needs to work on the basic fundamentals and he believes between him, Nate, Monty, and the rest of the coaching staff, there is plenty of knowledge there.

Once Greg gets to the point where he has the basics down, then we can hire a big man coach such as Alonzo, Ewing, etc. Until then, I think Bano will do a fine job.

He did mention that they would be willing to pay a big guy to practice / "bang" against him over the summer. That's really what he needs is someone to simulate an NBA center. A 7'0", 45-60 year old big man coach, won't be strong enough or quick enough to duplicate anything Greg will see on a night to night basis.

But someone like Steven Hill, who they had in camp to beat on Greg last year won't be good enough to duplicate anything he will see on a nightly basis. At least someone like Ewing for Orlando could show him some tricks that he can use, and that will be used against him.

Seeing Greg in constant foul trouble, and getting far too many offensive fouls for using his arms showed me we need a real big man coach. Bayno, Williams, DD and Nate know much less about how to bang and use tricks in the post than someone like Mourning or even Kermitt Washington.

 

[Tince]

But someone like Steven Hill, who they had in camp to beat on Greg last year won't be good enough to duplicate anything he will see on a nightly basis. At least someone like Ewing for Orlando could show him some tricks that he can use, and that will be used against him.

Seeing Greg in constant foul trouble, and getting far too many offensive fouls for using his arms showed me we need a real big man coach. Bayno, Williams, DD and Nate know much less about how to bang and use tricks in the post than someone like Mourning or even Kermitt Washington.

You don't think Nate ever heard the posts talking about tricks the post players would use? Same with Mo Lucus? I don't think Greg is to the point where he needs to worry about "tricks" or "advanced moves", I think it's basic principles that we, the average fan, can clearly see is holding him back.

I bet you Steven Hill would duplicate the average speed and strength of an NBA center better than Buck Williams. Greg could even blow by Buck Williams.

 

[adrenalize74]

If Greg improves his explosiveness/power and regains his athleticism, EVERYTHING improves. I agree he doesnt need a 1-on-1 coach at this point. He needs to get back in shape and work on fundamentals. Polish him next year.

 

[hasoos]

There are no advanced moves besides "Winging it." The fundamentals and having the athletic ability to use your footwork is all a big man needs on offense. You develope your go to moves on your own, depending on what you are comfortable with. A drop step is a drop step. Pick and roll is pick and roll. Footwork and position are what get you good looks, and leave you in a good spot to rebound if your shot is off target. Once you get that, and know where to expect players to be to pass out of the post, and your good to go.

 

[Mediocre Man]

There are no advanced moves besides "Winging it." The fundamentals and having the athletic ability to use your footwork is all a big man needs on offense. You develope your go to moves on your own, depending on what you are comfortable with. A drop step is a drop step. Pick and roll is pick and roll. Footwork and position are what get you good looks, and leave you in a good spot to rebound if your shot is off target. Once you get that, and know where to expect players to be to pass out of the post, and your good to go.

Hooking your opponents arm the right way, drawing offensive fouls, possitioning for rebounds to draw fouls. Those are a few moves a proven NBA vet could teach Greg.

 

[hasoos]

Hooking your opponents arm the right way, drawing offensive fouls, possitioning for rebounds to draw fouls. Those are a few moves a proven NBA vet could teach Greg.

It seems to me Mo Lucas should be able to handle that. So in other words, you want him to learn the "crafty veteran defensive tricks".

 

[Mediocre Man]

It seems to me Mo Lucas should be able to handle that. So in other words, you want him to learn the "crafty veteran defensive tricks".

It seems to me Mo should've been able to handle that as well, but clearly he couldn't.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Tiger Woods hires a private coach now and then I am sure he knows the fundamentals of his sport. Nothing wrong with another pair of eyes. But most of it will in deed come down to his own private work in the gym. He needs to put in hours and hours. Bayless will help for sure. At least in June.

This whole squat debate is kind of ridiculous IMO. Power Lifting on a bad knee can't be safe. He was doing other exercises that were safer at the time. It's like some of you keep forgetting how long it requires to come back from this surgery. I'm just glad he did not need his knee cleaned out this summer like so many predicted after his injury in February.
Remember the whole "Season Ticket Renewal' conspiracy? As far as I can see, he continues to be right on schedule.

 

[hasoos]

It seems to me Mo should've been able to handle that as well, but clearly he couldn't.

Mo has been sick a lot. Like a ton. So I think he gets some slack.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Mo has been sick a lot. Like a ton. So I think he gets some slack.

I know he has been sick, but he wasn't sick early. Just like PG, Blake is a good guy, but if somoene can make us better get him. I think someone can make GO better, and the Blazers should get that person.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I know he has been sick, but he wasn't sick early. Just like PG, Blake is a good guy, but if somoene can make us better get him. I think someone can make GO better, and the Blazers should get that person.

He had a bout with Sarcoidosis (the disease that killed Bernie Mac) very early in the year and then got diagnosed with cancer in the second half of the year. I don't recall the exact timeline, but off-hand I'd say he missed 85% of the team's organized activities and season.

 

[Ed O]

There are no advanced moves besides "Winging it." The fundamentals and having the athletic ability to use your footwork is all a big man needs on offense. You develope your go to moves on your own, depending on what you are comfortable with. A drop step is a drop step. Pick and roll is pick and roll. Footwork and position are what get you good looks, and leave you in a good spot to rebound if your shot is off target. Once you get that, and know where to expect players to be to pass out of the post, and your good to go.

I don't think this is at all accurate. It's true that fundamentals are critical, and that everything should be build on that solid foundation, but I don't buy that players just freestyle once they know those fundamentals.

Position based on weight distribution and reacting to different situations that the defense puts you into can easily be considered more advanced techniques that big men have to learn.

There is a heck of a lot more to being a dominant big guy in the NBA than just knowing how to do the pick and roll like everyone else or knowing the same drop step.

Ed O.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Squatting is not powerlifting. Depends on how you squat as well. If you go through the full range of motions, the push starts and stops at the strongest parts of the knee. Squatting is crucial to lower (and total) body strength, especially free weight back squats. Squats/Deadlifts are the most important exercises you can do.

Well I guess I do learn something new every day. I had to wikipedia it.........

The squat is a lower body exercise used in strength training. It is also a competitive lift in powerlifting and an essential movement in the sport of weightlifting. The exercise's main emphasis is on the quadriceps and the glutes, but it also involves the hamstrings, the calves, and the lower back. The squat is often called "the king of exercises" by those who believe it capable of inducing more and faster muscle growth than any other exercise.[1]

The squat is performed by bending the legs at the knees and hips, lowering the torso between the legs, and then reversing direction to stand up straight again. The torso leans forward to maintain balance. It acts as a supporting structure, unlike its role in the deadlift. Proper technique is critical, otherwise very serious injuries or gradual injury over a period of time can occur. The back must maintain its natural curvature and not "round out" (excessive lumbar or thoracic kyphosis), otherwise excess strain can be placed on the spine and cause serious injury. Lifting belts can be used to help support the lower back.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well I guess I do learn something new every day. I had to wikipedia it.........

The squat is a lower body exercise used in strength training. It is also a competitive lift in powerlifting and an essential movement in the sport of weightlifting. The exercise's main emphasis is on the quadriceps and the glutes, but it also involves the hamstrings, the calves, and the lower back. The squat is often called "the king of exercises" by those who believe it capable of inducing more and faster muscle growth than any other exercise.[1]

The squat is performed by bending the legs at the knees and hips, lowering the torso between the legs, and then reversing direction to stand up straight again. The torso leans forward to maintain balance. It acts as a supporting structure, unlike its role in the deadlift. Proper technique is critical, otherwise very serious injuries or gradual injury over a period of time can occur. The back must maintain its natural curvature and not "round out" (excessive lumbar or thoracic kyphosis), otherwise excess strain can be placed on the spine and cause serious injury. Lifting belts can be used to help support the lower back.

Like any kind of weight lifting the kinds of weight and the numbers of reps has more to do with what constitutes "power lifting" than the actual exercise. If you are trying to develop power you do less reps and more weight, if you want endurance you do high reps and less weight.

The truth is that we don't know what Greg is doing. But the fact that he's doing them should be seen as a good sign that his knee is fully healthy and ready to really be worked.