Oden: "I’m preparing myself right now to be an [NBA] all-star."

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DeanMoriarty

DeanMoriarty

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“I’ve just been working out,” he said between signing autographs Thursday. “I’ve been here and Indianapolis. I’ve been working out really hard with some people who are really good for me … basically changing my lifestyle, just getting myself right and being around people who I know and grew up with.

“Doctors have told me that I should be 100 percent by the time it’s all healed. I can’t predict the future, but I know I’m preparing myself right now to be an [NBA] all-star.”

Oden insists there was no specific reason for his desire to change as a person.

“I know what I need to do, growing up, maturing, 22 [years of age] now,” he explained. “It’s time to mature.”
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http://tribstar.com/sports/x1936222...n-of-Terre-Haute-for-Travis-Smith-golf-outing

Hell yeah! This is what we need. Confident, specific, realistic, and measurable goal.

It shows how determined he is. Even if he is injury prone, he, at least, isn't giving up.
 
His competition: Yao, Duncan, Jefferson, Bynum, Kaman, Lee, Nene, Okur, Dalembert, M. Gasol.

It's totally feasible if he remains healthy, and we're top 4 in the WC by the time they select players. It also wouldn't hurt if some of the above listed players are on sucky teams and/or injured.
 
In other news, HCP is preparing himself to bag a super-model, Ed O is preparing to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and I'm preparing to win the lotto. Talk is cheap and dreams are free.
 
oldmangrouch said:
Talk is cheap and dreams are free.
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But he's not just talking. What you call a dream is actually a goal, something he's working hard to achieve.

Will he achieve that goal? Only time will tell, but I'm please he's setting goals to improve and working hard to achieve those goals.

BNM
 
I'll be happy if he plays in 72 games and is around to play in the playoffs.
 
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=JtWVA

Oden had the fourth highest PER among second year centers on the three point shot era, trailing only Shaq, David Robinson, and Hakeem. His PER was 23.1, which was above Yao, Mourning, Dwight Howard, and Ewing.*

He was 1st in TS%, 3rd in eFG%, 2nd in ORB%, 3rd in DRB%, 2nd in TRB%, 4th in BLK%, 5th in ORTg, 11th in DRTg, and 3rd in WS/48.

If he can stay on the court -- injuries and fouls -- and makes progress from his play last heat, I see no reason why he can't be an all-star this year.
 
I thought he was supposed to be working out in Portland this summer?

Oden didn’t go into detail about his rehab routine, but he stressed that he’s focused on returning to the Trail Blazers’ lineup.

“I’ve just been working out,” he said between signing autographs Thursday. “I’ve been here (Terre Haute) and Indianapolis. I’ve been working out really hard with some people who are really good for me … basically changing my lifestyle, just getting myself right and being around people who I know and grew up with.
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Greg has only two limitations: foul trouble and injuries. I think with NBA conditioning, the quickness will return that will keep him from making silly fouls. I think the injuries have been a fluke.

If those two things are solved, we add a top five center (conservatively) to our lineup. And if they have to defend us inside, someone will always have an open shot.
 
The great thing about Oden's game is the boxscore doesn't relate his impact on the game. You can look at Durant's or Carmelo's box score and how it looks tells you the kind of game they had. GO could put of 8 points, 11 boards and dominate.
 
oldmangrouch said:
In other news, HCP is preparing himself to bag a super-model, Ed O is preparing to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and I'm preparing to win the lotto. Talk is cheap and dreams are free.
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It is so cute and clever to constantly try to be the devil's advocate.
 
Oden is currently nationally underestimated. by Christmas, GO will drop everybody's jaw. He will be an All Star next year.
 
Nikolokolus said:
I thought cake metaphors were done when KP got canned?
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Well, this cake was a little stickiy in the middle when tested and was shoved back in for a little more cooking. Will be done to perfection this season. says me!!!
 
I like this part:

I’m still in rehab, but I’m getting really close to where I want to be for the start of the season.
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Good sign that he thinks he is already close. He has been pretty honest in the past about his conditioning and injury recovery.
 
Nikolokolus said:
As long as we don't switch it to flan ... I hate flan.
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Have you had the Mexican flan? It's much better than French flan.

Or how about a nice Creme Brulee? I love Creme Brulee.

:hungry:
 
Sadly, we've turned out to be more of a souffle than a cake. We're beautiful and tasty, but delicate. So far, we've flopped.
 
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I forget he's only 22. I like what I'm hearing though. Greg doesn't deserve what he's gone through the past 3 years. Just brutal.
 
If Greg Oden is healthy and utilized effectively by the coach, he's an all-star compared to those other guys. Of that there is no doubt.
 
I know what I need to do, growing up, maturing, 22 [years of age] now,” he explained. “It’s time to mature.”
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It's nice to see Oden admit that he's been immature (and seemingly aloof) at times during his first 3 NBA seasons. That's a big step in taking ownership of past failures. I'm certainly willing to give him the chance to change. Hell, Blazer fans need him to change. Plus, it is a contract year, so he has milliions of reasons to finally get his head on right.
 
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