Oden and the terrible, horrible, no good very bad day

[the ob]

I just wanted to start a post to try to keep things in perspective for all reading. This was a huge blow to anyone who is a fan of the blazers. The blazers are our hobby. They are a great passion for many of us.

Oden getting hurt did not ruin out lives.

It may have seriously altered his however. This is how he makes his living. It has been a very major part of his life for many years. Most of us do not know what it is like to have something that is such a major part of our lives taken away from us so suddenly. I am not talking about a person passing away, I am talking about something that you love that you do every day.

Dont get me wrong, I was crushed. I felt like I wanted to throw up when I saw him lying on the floor. I felt bad for myself and my hopes and dreams that were wrapped up in this team. Then I felt really bad for him. He is a person who has worked really hard to get where he is and his future is less certain now. This is a big year for him. A contract year. He probably just lost 10's of millions of dollars. I cannot imagine the sense of loss that he is feeling now. I hope for his sake that he can come back and play again at a competitive level.

I hope emotionally he can pull through this as well. It has been well documented that he is a very emotional person. I think we all just need to remember that he is a person who has suffered a great loss and keep supporting him. Life will go on for us.

Lets wish him the best and a speedy, full recovery. and if it does not work out, hopefully he can pursue his dream of becoming a dentist......

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What gets to me is that Roy reports that as he was lying writhing in pain on the floor, he was apologizing to Roy for letting him down...

 

[the ob]

The quotes are heartbreaking. You have to feel for this guy. They all talk about what great person he is.

 

[MrJayremmie]

I support Oden 100%.

Get better big guy. Never apologize for things out of your control.

 

[the ob]

I feel really bad for him. That being said, If I see him in public, I am going to talk smack about the ducks and his buckeyes. He is going to feel worse when the ducks crush his rose bowl hopes...........

 

[Rhal]

There are a couple of really big things about this, one is I hope fans don't lose all hope with him. Its a bone injury it should heal 100%. He is said to be really emotional and last year he took a lot of what people were saying into his head. I'm hoping this year he doesn't give up on himself because I know as an organization I really doubt were ready to even think of giving up on him.

 

[Kaydow]

There are a couple of really big things about this, one is I hope fans don't lose all hope with him. Its a bone injury it should heal 100%. He is said to be really emotional and last year he took a lot of what people were saying into his head. I'm hoping this year he doesn't give up on himself because I know as an organization I really doubt were ready to even think of giving up on him.

What choice do they have? You can't put Oden on the trading blocks - who would want him right now? Of course they don't give up on him - they have no choice.

When the smoke clears, and the emotions die down, you have to plan for the future like he's not going to be a part of it. No way you can bank on this guy being able to help you win at this point. But it's not like they are going to release him, and there will be no trade.

 

[BlazerChad]

very bad day...

 

[Shooter]

When the smoke clears, and the emotions die down, you have to plan for the future like he's not going to be a part of it.

Absolutely right, and that's what makes this so hard. For two and a half years we've been waiting for Oden to take us to the "Promised Land," but that dream died last night.

Today begins a new era of Blazers' basketball--the post-Oden era--and it hurts like hell to say that.

 

[RoyToy]

While Oden's future is uncertain, he's still only 21 and should recover close to 100% from this injury. Broken bones heal.

It'd be smart to plan without Oden, but Oden is still going to be here, and he'll still be one of the best players on the team. Not all is lost.

 

[maxiep]

You people who act like Oden's career is over crack me up. We're about as "Post Oden" as Obama is "Post Partisan". It's a broken bone. Big fucking whoop. He'll be back and 100%.

 

[Idog1976]

While Oden's future is uncertain, he's still only 21 and should recover close to 100% from this injury. Broken bones heal.

It'd be smart to plan without Oden, but Oden is still going to be here, and he'll still be one of the best players on the team. Not all is lost.

I agree. Searching desperately for a silver lining, Oden could heal completely be resigned for cheap, and come back dominant with few injuries. It's possible. Patrick Ewing was injury plauged in his early career and then had his best years in the middle followed by an injury riddled decline. This is a bone injury, so really as others allude to, the only real concern is Oden's emotions/mental state.

 

[Minstrel]

What gets to me is that Roy reports that as he was lying writhing in pain on the floor, he was apologizing to Roy for letting him down...

Yeah, that's pretty poignant. I feel absolutely terrible for Oden.

 

[Idog1976]

You people who act like Oden's career is over crack me up. We're about as "Post Oden" as Obama is "Post Partisan". It's a broken bone. Big fucking whoop. He'll be back and 100%.

He definitely needs to wear braces and/or knee pads going forward. I think he will come back next year 100% as you say. I hope he heals in time to train all next summer.

 

[RoyToy]

Make no mistake about it - Oden is the only person holding him back. He'll be a dominant force if he stays healthy and out of foul trouble.

Oden was just starting to come into his own. He was averaging 15.6/9/2.4 in his last seven games, and he only played more than 25min in 3 of those games. The Blazer are still very fortunate to have his rights.

 

[WillG]

Will someone please look into the strength/conditioning & especially nutritionist for the Blazers.
The amount of injuries is ridiculous. Players bones failing left & right. Something has to be wrong. . .

I recall in the NFL where the Bills kept getting hamstring pulls. It turned out to be one of the exercises they were doing, so they dropped it, and the problem went away.
Do we have something similar in P Town with the conditioning/nutrition program??

And yes, Greg should be wearing knee braces to protect his knees when he comes back.
Get well big fella.

 

[the ob]

every time I think about him telling roy that he was sorry, I want to cry. I feel really bad for that kid. He will be back. this is not a career ending injury

 

[Darkwebs]

every time I think about him telling roy that he was sorry, I want to cry. I feel really bad for that kid. He will be back. this is not a career ending injury

I know. The Brandon Roy quote in the Jason Quick article is so sad.

"On the court he looked at me and he was like, 'Sorry,' and he put his head down.

 

[oldmangrouch]

There is a fine line between optimism, and denial.

It's fine to be sympathetic to Oden the person......but Oden the basketball player is officially a Sam Bowie level bust.

The worst part is, there is no Duncan/Lebron caliber player to try to tank for. It is pretty much the worst case scenario - the current roster is a failure, and there is no hope for quick improvement through either trades or the draft.

 

[the ob]

There is a fine line between optimism, and denial.

It's fine to be sympathetic to Oden the person......but Oden the basketball player is officially a Sam Bowie level bust.

The worst part is, there is no Duncan/Lebron caliber player to try to tank for. It is pretty much the worst case scenario - the current roster is a failure, and there is no hope for quick improvement through either trades or the draft.

while I appreciate and support your choice of football teams, I have to disagree with your conclusion to this situation. I do not think we have enough information yet to determine if he is a bust yet. We do not know how he will recover and he is young enough to still have a fine career.

 

[Minstrel]

but Oden the basketball player is officially a Sam Bowie level bust.

Oden, at age 21, is "officially" neither a success nor a bust. That he will be a titanic bust, when his career has played out, is officially your prediction. Noted.

I'm not willing to essay a prediction at this point in time, until surgery has happened and we know as much as possible. From what has been reported, though, this is a bone fracture, not tendon damage, so it isn't like Bowie at all. His ability level shouldn't be affected like Bowie's was.

 

[hasoos]

I actually think a lot of folks who have been talking about the Blazers being divided should really read that article about that exchange between Roy and Oden. Here is Roys reply:

I just kept trying to tell him we love you and get better. He's more upset because he feels like he let us down and that's not the way to feel."


See that is what the beat writers, and many of the fans will never get. The team has a bond, and for all the talking that is done about players being selfish, not getting along, and not working out, when in fact, the team is tight.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Oden, at age 21, is "officially" neither a success nor a bust. That he will be a titanic bust, when his career has played out, is officially your prediction. Noted.

I'm not willing to essay a prediction at this point in time, until surgery has happened and we know as much as possible. From what has been reported, though, this is a bone fracture, not tendon damage, so it isn't like Bowie at all. His ability level shouldn't be affected like Bowie's was.

And 12 months from now, when he is right back to where he was in 2008, people who actually expect him to perform will be accused of being impatient and unreasonable. And 24 months from now - what will the excuse be then? Normal, healthy 21 year olds don't break bones bumping into other people. Collisions like that occur a dozen times a game in the NBA...and even more frequently in the NFL and NHL.

I'm half Oden's size, more than twice his age, and have severe arthritis...but I bet you I can run into Aaron Brooks and not break a bone! At some point, you have to face up to the fact that there is more at work here than bad luck.

 

[Minstrel]

And 12 months from now, when he is right back to where he was in 2008, people who actually expect him to perform will be accused of being impatient and unreasonable. And 24 months from now - what will the excuse be then?

All you are doing is restating your predictions. Will your predictions come true? Maybe. If he continues picking up season-ending injuries, I don't think anyone will accuse people like you of "impatience." But I'm certainly not willing to write off a 21 year old who has yet to suffer an injury that is considered career-altering.

At some point, you have to face up to the fact that there is more at work here than bad luck.

That is certainly possible. Of course, if ten years from now, he's played a string of 70+ game seasons, what will having "officially" declared him a bust in 2009 mean?

I get it. You don't think that will happen. I have no idea what will happen. But a few years into his career and with no transformational injury, I'm willing to let a bit more time play out before I decide that Oden's chances at a meaningful career are finished.

 

[toutlaw25]

And 12 months from now, when he is right back to where he was in 2008, people who actually expect him to perform will be accused of being impatient and unreasonable. And 24 months from now - what will the excuse be then? Normal, healthy 21 year olds don't break bones bumping into other people. Collisions like that occur a dozen times a game in the NBA...and even more frequently in the NFL and NHL.

I'm half Oden's size, more than twice his age, and have severe arthritis...but I bet you I can run into Aaron Brooks and not break a bone! At some point, you have to face up to the fact that there is more at work here than bad luck.

You're much less likely to be injured with a 2" vert? Just getting separation from the ground is a monumental success for you.

 

[Buzz Killington]

had to blog about this while waiting for a flight at the aeroporte (my first blog, yay).

http://thebeaverstate.net/?p=49

When Greg Oden was drafted, there were many whispers about how this could be a repeat of the 1984 NBA Draft in which the Blazers selected Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. Presumably, most people will liken this to one choosing Greg Oden over Kevin Durant.

While that is a valid point, last night’s knee injury for Oden was absolutely decimating to the Blazers organization. I would go even so far as calling it franchise-altering. I’m still personally in shock as to the injury itself, this totally took me by surprise and I don’t know what can I, as a fan, can do.

Its as if part of my beating Blazers heart was ripped on and stepped on. A part of me wants to say “fuck it all” and just stop following Basketball. I can’t do that, I love the game too much. But I will find it hard to even find any positive light from the season. The Blazers can make it to the NBA finals this year and I’ll still wonder “what if” and Greg Oden will be in the back of my mind. This has just soured what was supposed to be a great season.

A lot of hype has been made about the “JailBlazers” and their negative image on the franchise. Personally, I think this incident is much more tragic than whatever Sheed, Bonzi and Damon could have concocted. I’ll probably have more thoughts, but for right now I am hoping Greg can make it through this and come right back. But even when he does, the Achilles is there. The label is there. He is injury prone. To have two season ending injuries in his three years in the league is just crazy.

I hope I can recover from this monumentous setback. As for the Durant vs. Oden talk? I don’t think that was the biggest mis-step in this organization and until Durant is winning rings (which I don’t think he will be in Oklahoma City), all of the “experts” and “analysts” can kiss my ass.