Oden: US Mini Camp Updates

[Idog1976]

One of the biggest differences I noticed was the fluidity and ease of his movements. He didn't look like everything took a huge effort like it did last year. I was also impressed in the amount of ground covered in little time. There was one instance where he recovered from the three point line to the basket in what seemed like one step that made me say "wow."

I saw that too. I also agree with Crow that the block seemed to have quite a bit of contact and I thought I saw at least one foul. I'm very hopeful about Greg and am glad that he is consistently mentioned as looking improved by the media. I've said for awhile that I think we will see the real Greg right around Jan. 1st 2010 (Roughly what we hoped for his rookie year pre-injury) and I expect to see the dominating beastman Oden by around November of 2010.

 

[Reep]

his attitude looked great, but apparently i'm the only one here that wasn't otherwise overwhelmed by what he did in the video. mobility and reaction time may be slightly improved but i didn't see anything that really challenged him much in that regard, vertical look more or less the same, blocks seemed to have a lot of contact and probably would have been fouls in real games last year (hopefully he will get more ref respect this year).

I saw some improvement and other question marks. He had some solid rebounds and seemed to have much improved lateral quickness. However, his elevation looked the same to me. G.O. often blocks shots low, and I saw more of that. Also, his dunks lacked elevation. The one with the contact was strong, but he barely made it to the rim--which happened a lot last year. It is still early in the summer, but he didn't look as quick vertically as I would have hoped for.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

I didn't see this comment posted yet.

Durant says, "(Oden), he's been through a lot. But he looks like his old self out there. I'm glad to see him back because he's going to help (Team USA)."

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/51562712.html

 

[Eastoff]

... Also, his dunks lacked elevation. The one with the contact was strong, but he barely made it to the rim--which happened a lot last year. It is still early in the summer, but he didn't look as quick vertically as I would have hoped for.

I think he just conserves energy. Someone mentioned earlier that he had a 12'1" running vertical.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

 

[Eastoff]

i love how ridiculously small those chairs look for KD and GO

 

[Ed O]

That team needs more energy on the bench.

Pendergraph time!

Ed O.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

i love how ridiculously small those chairs look for KD and GO

Harris looks like a Hobbit next to Greg!

 

[BIG Q]

Well, those on the bandwagon are getting a small modicum of validation for not jumping off at some point. The new bandwagoners, well they are just new and will now sing the praises of GO. Here is a reminder of how quickly the bandwagon filled the first time;

[video=youtube;thTIYCXcx90]

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Thanks to everyone who posted the different Twitter updates about Greg! Keep em' coming!

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

I saw that too. I also agree with Crow that the block seemed to have quite a bit of contact and I thought I saw at least one foul. I'm very hopeful about Greg and am glad that he is consistently mentioned as looking improved by the media. I've said for awhile that I think we will see the real Greg right around Jan. 1st 2010 (Roughly what we hoped for his rookie year pre-injury) and I expect to see the dominating beastman Oden by around November of 2010.

Keep in mind that fouls are officiated differently at the international level, so I'm sure they were trying to simulate that in this practice. Casey Holdahl wrote:

The international game is a more physical game and he took advantage of it.

Watching the footage, He's not exactly Dwight Howard yet but his legs look to have a lot more spring in them, a lot quicker and lighter on his feet, even though a lot of it seemed to be late in practice and he looked tired. I think by the time the season rolls around he'll be vastly improved.


On another note, the quote below leads me to believe he may not make the team this time around, if they're looking for a big with more of an outside game, but if he can seperate himself from the others on defense he might have a chance.

Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and the coaching staff are concentrating on three areas where they expect to have to fill out the roster -- a third point guard to play behind Deron Williams and Chris Paul; an extra big man with the combination of quickness, defensive intensity and shooting range to play inside or outside; and a Mr. Versatility who would have the ability to spell LeBron James at the power forward spot, Carmelo Anthony at small forward, and Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade at shooting guard.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=4352887

 

[hasoos]

The main thing I noticed with Greg in this video is that on defense he was "lurking". That is what I look for in defenders, is that they are lurking, looking for their opportunity to make a play, always aware of ball position, waiting to make that play.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

The main thing I noticed with Greg in this video is that on defense he was "lurking". That is what I look for in defenders, is that they are lurking, looking for their opportunity to make a play, always aware of ball position, waiting to make that play.

I love that description - lurking.

 

[axs88]

On another note, the quote below leads me to believe he may not make the team this time around, if they're looking for a big with more of an outside game, but if he can seperate himself from the others on defense he might have a chance.

Well, they mention three areas but they are expected to have 4 spots open.

It seems like KD is a lock (rightfully so), and that the third PG should probably be Rose rather than Williams as he wouldn't play much anyway.

So the depth chart is like this:

Howard
Anthony Bosh
James Durant
Bryant Wade
Paul Williams 3rd PG (Rose)

That leaves two spots... One should be a PF with range (could be anybody) or maybe another 3/4 (Granger?) and one should be a C/PF, as the only real center is Howard, although Bosh has played C for them and fits very good because he has range and can hit FTs.

I think Greg would make a ton of sense at center (if they decide to go with one). His only real competition should be Lopez but more likely Al Jefferson since he could play both the 5 and 4 as they seem to value versatility.

 

[Reep]

Well, they mention three areas but they are expected to have 4 spots open.

It seems like KD is a lock (rightfully so), and that the third PG should probably be Rose rather than Williams as he wouldn't play much anyway.

So the depth chart is like this:

Howard
Anthony Bosh
James Durant
Bryant Wade
Paul Williams 3rd PG (Rose)

Paul Williams at PG:

 

[Crimson the Cat]

A few updates from yesterday:

Coach Triano only scrimmaged for 10 minutes rather than 30 or 40. The guys wore themselves out in drills.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Durant on why he wore #52:

Durant on wearing Oden's no. 52 "I didn't even think about it. They just gave it to me."

 

[Crimson the Cat]

KP gettin swarmed:

pdxtrailblazersThe national sportswriter are starting to circle KP like sharks circle chum. I think KP stands a much better chance though

 

[LittleAlex]

Ever wonder why? He DOES pretty much always make sense. Unless he's joking.

(On a sidenote, anyone else has a couple of posters they pretty much always agree/disagree with? It's weird... saves me a lot of posting though.)

Thank god text carries tone of voice otherwise I might have missed his sarcasm.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Change in Line up:

Team USA trying out new lineup today. Looks like GO will play with Millsap, Rose, Iggy, and Gay

 

[Wheels]

Also, Magloire had a difficult time detecting subtle humor.

repped

 

[PapaG]

Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and the coaching staff are concentrating on three areas where they expect to have to fill out the roster -- a third point guard to play behind Deron Williams and Chris Paul; an extra big man with the combination of quickness, defensive intensity and shooting range to play inside or outside; and a Mr. Versatility who would have the ability to spell LeBron James at the power forward spot, Carmelo Anthony at small forward, and Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade at shooting guard.


http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=4352887

I imagine "Mr. Versatility" is Kevin Durant since he has the length to play PF in a pinch, Derrick Rose is the 3rd PG, and the extra big is probably up for grabs, although Amare Stoudamire probably makes sense.

What I don't see is room for Brandon Roy, at least in how Colangelo expresses the needs of the team.

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

I imagine "Mr. Versatility" is Kevin Durant since he has the length to play PF in a pinch,

Well considering the next sentence in the article was:

Durant fits the bill for that third guy.

I think probably so...

 

[LittleAlex]

I imagine "Mr. Versatility" is Kevin Durant since he has the length to play PF in a pinch, Derrick Rose is the 3rd PG, and the extra big is probably up for grabs, although Amare Stoudamire probably makes sense.

What I don't see is room for Brandon Roy, at least in how Colangelo expresses the needs of the team.

Good!

I would rather Roy not play on team US and use the off season to decompress. It seems as though the season is as draining to him mentally as it is physically. I would prefer he not get worn out.

 

[PapaG]

Good!

I would rather Roy not play on team US and use the off season to decompress. It seems as though the season is as draining to him mentally as it is physically. I would prefer he not get worn out.

I won't care if he misses 2010 and the WCs, but I do want him on the 2012 Olympic team, and I imagine he wants to be there as well.

 

[PapaG]

Well considering the next sentence in the article was:



I think probably so...

I didn't read the article, only what was quoted. Thanks for not addressing the rest of the post, though.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Update:

Blue team leading Oden and the white team 21-15. GO has a made free throw and a few rebounds

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Update:

Teams swithed up again. Now GO playing with Durant, Iggy, Millsap and Rose

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Update:

GO has a nice block on Westbrook, but then loses the handle on a pass on the pick/roll that would have been an easy dunk. Thems the breaks

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Update:

JaVale McGee just missed everything on his first free throw attempt. Crowd was nice enough not to chant "AIRBALL!"