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Hype #9

Hype #9

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From Blazersedge

I hate to continue to beat this drum but the highlight of today's practice was the play of Greg Oden. I can't put it any better than I put it earlier this week: he's back to looking like a basketball player. For the first time I saw him step out and take the 6-8 foot face up jumper that we've been hearing so much about. Knocked it down cleanly twice. He also rose up to throw home a thundering alleyoop dunk. Vicious finish aside, it was nice to see him do it without a second thought. Leaping in the air on the run like that can leave your body (legs) exposed, reason enough to simply gather the pass, come down, and then power up. Not today.

On a few possessions, he looked like the best player on the court.

Last year's camp saw Nate praise LaMarcus's development very openly. Hints of the same today regarding Greg Oden. Nate seemed very pleased with Greg's play and attitude and was careful to state that he wants to continue to see that, as if he's not quite convinced that the New Greg is here to stay. After starting him and then benching him last year, his apparent trepidation is understandable. But so is Nate's excitement.
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and

From Hoopsworld:

Portland Trail Blazers: He's arrived. At least that's the word out of Trail Blazers camp regarding Greg Oden, who has looked fantastic thus far in training camp. His improved offensive game now includes a face-up jumper and he has been in the process of developing some post moves to rely upon as well. It's widely believed that it takes a year of game action to really get back into the swing of things after a knee injury in the ilk that Oden did. So far, it's looking like Oden falls into that category as well, playing really well thus far in camp.
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and

Hoopsworld Chat:

parvinder indian in portland:
has oden really improved?? what do you rank blazers
Preetom Bhattacharya:

I will be 100% honest on this one .. every time I ask someone about the Blazers, they just tell me how amazing Oden has been. He's dominating the scrimmages, from what I have heard. I think that's a sign if EVERYONE is saying the same thing. I haven't seen it myself, but you can't go against the grain when people are so favoable for what he's done so far.
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and

From Dwight Jaynes

I’m not going to go overboard here but after watching two scrimmages — and Coach Nate McMillan was very generous Thursday, by the way, giving us a pretty long look at an officiated one — I think I can say for sure that a lot of what’s being said about Greg Oden is true.

He’s running better, for sure. He seems to jump well. He’s being aggressive and much more animated with his teammates. He’s finished his chances around the basket and looks more comfortable on the floor. I don’t see a lot of the awkwardness we saw last season. It’s all good so far — I just want to wait a little bit longer before going too nuts about it.
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and

The Columbian

Oden showed off for the first time some of the new offensive skills that have been promised. Oden employed a hook shot and a short turnaround jumper. He looked quick, smooth and confident on the court, and said after practice everything feels good. He also hit 11 of 12 free throws following practice, showing off a soft touch. According to Oden, his stepped-up offensive game is still a work in progress, though.

Oden showed off an excellent offensive move. He caught the ball on the left block about seven feet away from the basket. He then faked left, spun right and put up a hook-jump hybrid. The ball rattled in. But as soon as it went through the hoop, a ref called Oden for an offensive foul.

Oden once again shot well from the free-throw line after practice. His stroke was smooth and soft, and he looked dismayed when he missed one after making six straight.

Another strong day from Greg Oden. Oden slammed home a dunk off a feed by Ime Udoka. He also played well on the defensive end. Oden's biggest performance came as a passer, though. Twice he backed into the lane with the ball, then passed out to an open teammate on the perimeter. It was the type of pass only the best NBA centers make, and Oden looked like he knew exactly what he was doing. Oden spent the majority of practice working on a jump hook shot. He made the majority of his attempts, and his footwork was as impressive as his touch.
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I am truly excited to see Oden this year. I never lost faith in him like so many did. I kept trying to remind people that he was just a rookie and one that was coming off microfracture surgery. Hopefully I am right, and he will be as good as I think possible..
 
I'm quite excited. I've always felt he was a franchise center talent, but there was always the nagging doubt that the injury could alter his career, even though it isn't supposed to. Hearing how good he looks (athletically, I realize he's not up against intense NBA competition) is really great to hear. If Oden plays anywhere near the level of a top center, Portland will be a title contender this season.
 
:sigh:

I so desperately want to believe all this......but until I see it in games that count against at least average NBA centers......:dunno:
 
I understand that it's just practice, but he's playing against Joel and Collins, right? So at least half the time he's playing a legit center--one of the best defenders in the league.
 
It's not whether he's scoring or whatever that matters, since this isn't meaningful competition. It's the athletic prowess that he's apparently showing. That is as meaningfully evaluated whether everyone else is going at full speed or not. If he can run, jump and move better, that is very big.
 
Hearing all of this certainly makes me excited about Oden and the Blazers, but wasn't this the same type of hype that was being propagated last year around this time? Until Oden can prove he can do it in a game that means something, I think I will try to hold back my exhilaration. I don't want to get my hopes up like last year, only to have it crushed. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice...
 
Darkwebs said:
Hearing all of this certainly makes me excited about Oden and the Blazers, but wasn't this the same type of hype that was being propagated last year around this time? Until Oden can prove he can do it in a game that means something, I think I will try to hold back my exhilaration. I don't want to get my hopes up like last year, only to have it crushed. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice...
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You aint gonna fool me again?
 
This from (resident homer) Mike Barrett: http://mikebarrettsblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/comfortably-strung.html

Toward the end of practice Saturday morning, during a drill which involves a three-on-two situation at one end, that turns into a two-on-one at the other, Dante Cunningham decided to challenge Oden at the rim. Oden cuffed the shot attempt in his right hand, and then took off with the ball. Cunningham, in a full sprint (and isn't a slow guy), couldn't catch Oden, who dribbled coast to coast and slammed the ball down with two hands. While maintaining professionalism, the players erupted. Oden, who hung on to the rim and swung completely under, landed, and while laughing, flew up into the air and did a full body bump with Martell Webster. Even the coaches were smiling, as the drill continued, with the next group of players, without missing a beat.
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There's only so long GO's natural gifts can remain suffocated. Clearly he played too heavy last year and wasn't even close to the player we saw at TOSU. He's getting into real basketball shape and is getting more comfortable with the added muscle on his frame.

I never expected him to be an elite offensive player; I think in his prime years, he'll average 17-19 ppg. Howver, I do expect him to be considered one of the greatest rebounding and defensive centers ever by the time he retires.

I look forward to seeing the real Greg Oden this year.
 
I think a couple of 20-22 ppg seasons are definitely in his future (if healthy). Dwight Howard has averaged 20 ppg for the last two years, and Greg can potentially develop a better post game, plus he's substantially bigger.
 
oldmangrouch said:
:sigh:

I so desperately want to believe all this......but until I see it in games that count against at least average NBA centers......:dunno:
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It doesn't count, but he's going up against one of the better defensive centers in the league tonight. On TV no less!

:ghoti:
 
In that second video of Shaq running the fast break, it looks like it was an up and down since he came down on his right leg before the shot went up.

Whatever, it was entertaining.
 
It's all great and glowing stuff, but I've learned a long time ago that just about everything you read and hear in training camp is pure bollocks -- at this point of the season even Kings fans are excited about the potential some of their young guys have shown.

I really want to believe, but I really want to stop hearing about all of it and just see it before getting too giddy.
 
Nikolokolus said:
It's all great and glowing stuff, but I've learned a long time ago that just about everything you read and hear in training camp is pure bollocks -- at this point of the season even Kings fans are excited about the potential some of their young guys have shown.

I really want to believe, but I really want to stop hearing about all of it and just see it before getting too giddy.
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Yeah, we almost have to take things with a block of salt in order to cut through all the bullshit that gets spewed during TC.
 
Natebishop3 said:
Yeah, we almost have to take things with a block of salt in order to cut through all the bullshit that gets spewed during TC.
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So far the only thing I've latched on to with a slightly raised eyebrow and a modicum of interest is the comments from Dwight Jaynes -- Portland media's resident curmudgeon -- that guy has been around forever, has seen just about everything and usually aims for the truth (what most fans would call a pessimistic take).

If Dwight thinks he looks in better shape and is moving more fluidly then I'll take that and move along. Mike Barrett on the other hand could probably make Hitler look sympathetic if he'd ever donned the black and red.
 
Nikolokolus said:
So far the only thing I've latched on to with a slightly raised eyebrow and a modicum of interest is the comments from Dwight Jaynes -- Portland media's resident curmudgeon -- that guy has been around forever, has seen just about everything and usually aims for the truth (what most fans would call a pessimistic take).

If Dwight thinks he looks in better shape and is moving more fluidly then I'll take that and move along. Mike Barrett on the other hand could probably make Hitler look sympathetic if he'd ever donned the black and red.
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Dwights a good guy. I had a few good talks with him in the media room at the Rose Garden. He's a no-bullshit kind of guy.
 
Ya, I remember sending him emails back when he was with the Journal. Hmmm, I didn't have a puter until 94, when did the Journal bite the dust?

Anyway, Oden didn't look to bad last nite!
 
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