Oden to return Sat? Should he come off the bench?

[MIXUM]

First of all, Quick says Oden prob comes back Saturday vs the Bucks. Wasn't his career game vs them?

With that said, im starting to feel (for this season) thats maybe Joel should continue to start. Hes having a career season and has been our 3rd best player all year. Oden should come off the bench IMO till next year IF he can beat Joel out. Also it will hopefully take some pressure off of oden physically and mentally.

THE BEST NEWS THOUGH????????????

NO MORE CHANNING FRYE AFTER SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRST SERGIO AND THEN FRYE!!!!!

Now i can enjoy watching a blazers game without those 2 useless pieces of crap.

 

[RoyToy]

You seem to care a lot about the Blazers for being a Lakers fan.

 

[Nikolokolus]

First of all, Quick says Oden prob comes back Saturday vs the Bucks. Wasn't his career game vs them?

With that said, im starting to feel (for this season) thats maybe Joel should continue to start. Hes having a career season and has been our 3rd best player all year. Oden should come off the bench IMO till next year IF he can beat Joel out. Also it will hopefully take some pressure off of oden physically and mentally.

THE BEST NEWS THOUGH????????????

NO MORE CHANNING FRYE AFTER SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRST SERGIO AND THEN FRYE!!!!!

Now i can enjoy watching a blazers game without those 2 useless pieces of crap.

Once again, I call bullshit. We all know there has never been a time when you've been able to enjoy a Blazers game.

 

[SodaPopinski]

Hey MIXUM, when is Bynum coming back for the Lakers?

-Pop

 

[mook]

I imagine we'll probably bring Oden off the bench for a few games until he's back in rhythm. Mixum is right--Przybilla has really been our third best player when you look at who has had the most impact on our season.

But it's pretty obvious that even right now Oden is a better player per minute than Przybilla. You have to guard him on the offensive end. Our best shot at getting out of the first round is a 100% Oden.

I can't wait to see him back (and Frye glued to the end of the bench).

 

[alex42083]

I think Joel has deserved to keep the starting nod. Bring G.O. back slowly (again) and let him work his way back in. Not a bad player to bring off the bench, and we're going to need him big time down the stretch for HCA.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Mixum is right--Przybilla has really been our third best player when you look at who has had the most impact on our season.

Actually he is quoting Barrett in his Blog last night, but none-the-less I would agree that they will start out with Pryz. At this point I would keep him there for the last 15 games, but there is no reason that Nate can't wait to see how things go and change it later. But Oden needs to be eased back in and Joel is playing great.

 

[THE HCP]

I might say that Pryz has been our 2nd most valuable player this season. The void he has filled this year has been invaluable! Welcome back G.O.!

 

[STOMP]

You seem to care a lot about the Blazers for being a Lakers fan.

MIXIM's negative threads obviously grate on some nerves here, but repeating the same Laker fan BS in response to every post he makes isn't some magical salve... it's every bit a stupid and annoying.

please address the post not the poster

to the thread question, Greg will probably have a game or two off the bench but here's guessing he'll be back in the starting lineup shortly there after

STOMP

 

[BlazerBeliever]

Listening to Wheels yesterday on his show when he called in, he said it sounds like when Greg comes back he will remain on the bench the rest of the season. Nate doesn't want to mess with this starting line up.

 

[ebott]

He should totally come off the bench. Things are going ok without him. No need to make a big change to the lineup with him returning. Just bring him off the bench in place of Frye.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

please address the post not the poster

Ahhh, yes, the typical phrase put forth by MIXIM's enablers.

There's a growing group on here that's either going to get banned, or MIXIM will.

I'd put my money on him.

 

[Foulzilla]

All the people who bitch and moan about Mixum are far more disruptive than he is. Just ignore him and move on and the whole board will be better for it.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

He should totally come off the bench. Things are going ok without him. No need to make a big change to the lineup with him returning. Just bring him off the bench in place of Frye.

Actually, I think at this point, Oden will do better coming off the bench and often playing against "lesser" competition. I think he will have more chances to dominate, gain confidence and begin (again) to instill fear in the opponents (how do we deal that him on the second team???)

It could also give the second team another very good scoring option as we know Joel is not a scoring threat, the second team seems to be largely a jump-shooting team and the addition of G.O. could add another dimension to that group and make them a harder group to defend as a whole.

Gramps...

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Oden off the bench is fine, actually probably going to lessen the pressure on him when he gets back and he can more naturally flow into the game.

have to be careful to not give him too few minutes/touches still.....but with the second unit he'll probably get more, in fact.

 

[RoyToy]

MIXIM's negative threads obviously grate on some nerves here, but repeating the same Laker fan BS in response to every post he makes isn't some magical salve... it's every bit a stupid and annoying.

please address the post not the poster

to the thread question, Greg will probably have a game or two off the bench but here's guessing he'll be back in the starting lineup shortly there after

STOMP

I will post how I please. If MIXUM gets to, I do to.

Thanks for understanding.

 

[BlazersBlood]

Yup, let him come off the bench for a while. Pryz has earned it and Oden has already fallen out of game shape with the nature of his injury.

 

[Cake]

I'd prefer to see Greg come off the bench. He might be able to build confidence more easily playing against the 2nd unit...guys who won't neccesarily have the skills to get him in foul trouble and guys who probably aren't physical enough to stop him on the low block. And when you're not in there with Roy and Aldridge, there should be more shots. I would prefer that actually.

I've heard some people say it would be too much of a blow to his already (seemingly) fragile ego...but getting some nice numbers off the bench would seem to be better than borderline struggling as a starter.

 

[Iwatas]

Off the bench for sure.

Also gives the bench PGs a nice big target... should help their confidence as well.

iWatas

 

[oldmangrouch]

At this point, Joel deserves to start...period. Even if he was not playing as well as he has been, Oden will be back to hopelessly out-of-shape and rusty.

Perhaps more to the point - I don't really expect him to play against the Bucks, or anybody else this season. Greg "Penknife" Oden is a figment of the imagination until he bloody well proves otherwise! (and I am only half kidding)

 

[Haakzilla]

Oden should most definitely come off of the bench...as it was, I didn't like that he became the starter so quickly before...it would be one thing is J.Billa was playing mediocre ball, but he provides everything that is needed for the starting unit. Plus, Oden can be more of a focus on offensive off the bench...and lesser competition to dominate...etc...etc...

It seems like a no-brainer

 

[Ed O]

I will post how I please. If MIXUM gets to, I do to.

Thanks for understanding.

There's a difference between posting about basketball and posting ABOUT A POSTER.

No, MIXUM does not get to post "how he pleases". Neither do you, and neither do I.

We all post according to rules, and those rules involve posting about the Blazers and the NBA.

Either you do not understand and are more dense than you should be or you're being an asshole on purpose. Which is not cool.

Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

Ahhh, yes, the typical phrase put forth by MIXIM's enablers.

There's a growing group on here that's either going to get banned, or MIXIM will.

I'd put my money on him.

I wouldn't. Getting rid of the three or four of you that consistently bitch about him would probably make life easier for the 100+ of us who can somehow go an hour without calling him a name or complaining about his existence.

Ed O.

 

[free_lafrentz]

i will post how i please. If mixum gets to, i do to.

Thanks for understanding.

i do as i please!!!

 

[STOMP]

I will post how I please. If MIXUM gets to, I do to.

Apples and Oranges.

Being negative isn't against the rules, insulting other posters is. Beyond that, repeating the same stupid insult ad nausea reflects far more on the poster doing the attacking then the one being attacked.

STOMP

 

[Ed O]

I am a big Oden fan, but I think it's best for him to come off the bench at first. Joel is clearly playing well and we don't know how Oden's going to do in game conditions... actually, I think we all can guess he'll be too heavy and out of shape, etc.

Letting him come off the bench will relieve some of the pressure on him as he rebuilds his stamina. It also might let him play against inferior (bench) players and get some confidence back before he steps back into the starting lineup.

Ed O.

 

[Boob-No-More]

All the people who bitch and moan about Mixum are far more disruptive than he is. Just ignore him and move on and the whole board will be better for it.

I urge others to use the ignore poster feature. I works great until other posters start quoting the ignored, taking their bait and giving them the attention they crave.

So, rather than bitch about posters you don't like, put them on your ignore list and we can all stop complaining about them and get back to talking about basketball.

At the very least, if a poster gets on your nerves, do the rest of a favor, exercise a little self-restraint and don't quote his post in your response.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

I am a big Oden fan, but I think it's best for him to come off the bench at first. Joel is clearly playing well and we don't know how Oden's going to do in game conditions... actually, I think we all can guess he'll be too heavy and out of shape, etc.

Letting him come off the bench will relieve some of the pressure on him as he rebuilds his stamina. It also might let him play against inferior (bench) players and get some confidence back before he steps back into the starting lineup.

Ed O.

Yep. Joel has shown he can hold his own against the starting centers in this league. Let him continue to do so and let Oden abuse the pathetic stiffs most teams have backing up the 5 spot. I think it will also help keep Oden out of foul trouble. With Joel starting, no more two quick fouls in the first two minutes for the game for Oden.

I think coming off the bench is best for both Oden and the team at this time. Let Oden and Joel battle it out for the starting spot in training camp next fall, but give them clearly defined rolls now and divide up the minutes about 50/50.

BNM

 

[PapaG]

I am a big Oden fan, but I think it's best for him to come off the bench at first. Joel is clearly playing well and we don't know how Oden's going to do in game conditions... actually, I think we all can guess he'll be too heavy and out of shape, etc.

Letting him come off the bench will relieve some of the pressure on him as he rebuilds his stamina. It also might let him play against inferior (bench) players and get some confidence back before he steps back into the starting lineup.

Ed O.

Think of what a luxury it is to even consider having Oden play off of the bench. Przy took a big gamble signing with Portland considering the team was still under the control of Steve Patterson. What a great decision he made for not only himself, but also for the Blazers and their fans. That said, I'd probably reinsert Oden with the starters at some point before the playoffs because I think he'll be very important for the Blazers to have a chance of winning a series.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_ReSign_Center_J-184836-1177.html

“It is great that we have Joel back with us and under contract,” said Portland Head Coach Nate McMillan. “He brings leadership and work ethic to a very young team. The fact that he wants to remain a Trail Blazer sends a very loud and clear message to his teammates that he believes in the path that the team is taking to turn things around.”

“Deep down, my wife and I both truly believed that Portland was the place to be and I am very excited about signing a new contract with the Trail Blazers,” said Pryzbilla. “Two years ago, Portland was the team that gave me a chance and to be able to continue my career here is great for me and my family. We have grown to love the city and we like where the organization is headed. I am committed to doing everything I can as a player and a teammate to give our fans a team they can be proud of and one day get Portland back on top.”

 

[Ed O]

Think of what a luxury it is to even consider having Oden play off of the bench. Przy took a big gamble signing with Portland considering the team was still under the control of Steve Patterson. What a great decision he made for not only himself, but also for the Blazers and their fans. That said, I'd probably reinsert Oden with the starters at some point before the playoffs because I think he'll be very important for the Blazers to have a chance of winning a series.

Agreed 100%.

Ed O.