On Oden:

[RoyIsClutch07]

What are we all going to do this year if Oden DOES NOT shut up the haters? What if he comes in and continues to struggle the way he did last year? (Which I could truly see happen)

What then? Will it be time to trade him? Will it be time for a different head coach and system.

What would be your next plan for GO?

I'm rather hoping we won't be having this discussion. But I think much of Nate's future as head coach of the blazers relies on the development of him.

Do you agree? Or No. So I guess the question is, Who goes if he doesn't develop? He or Nate?

Thoughts.

 

[Wheels]

If Oden does develop, then the Haters and constant whiners will find someone ELSE to hate. That wont ever change IMO. it was Jack 2 years ago, Outlaw and GO this last year, and it will only be someone else next year. I personally am not too worried about Oden developing or not. Just him staying on the floor will be good cause he is productive.

 

[Minstrel]

Oden actually played well last year. He just didn't stay on the floor long enough. If he continues to have foul problems which don't fade over the year? Hmm, I guess I'd be concerned. He needs to be more than a 20-25 MPG player. Not really sure what else to say beyond that...I expect him to get his fouls under control, but if he can't, it will severely limit his value as a player.

 

[THE HCP]

Considering what he has gone through, I don't think he struggled last year. Of course I wanted bigger numbers, but I was content to have my rookie big man coming off of surgery play the way he did.

 

[Eastoff]

If Oden does develop, then the Haters and constant whiners will find someone ELSE to hate. That wont ever change IMO. it was Jack 2 years ago, Outlaw and GO this last year, and it will only be someone else next year. I personally am not too worried about Oden developing or not. Just him staying on the floor will be good cause he is productive.

you did not really answer his question. it was a hypothetical "what do you do if oden doesn't develop?"

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't think there's anything he could possible do to not have us extend him for 4 years or match anyone who does. Even if he never improves from last year, he's going to get paid. Look at the contract Przy got 3 years ago, for goodness' sakes. If he MF's his other knee, they'll rehab him and see what a 23-year old 7'1 defensive and rebounding beast looks like in 2010-11. No trade will happen.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

you did not really answer his question. it was a hypothetical "what do you do if oden doesn't develop?"

What would be your next course of action knob?

 

[Eastoff]

If Oden continues his foul trouble, you keep him around as a back up. When Pryz' contract runs out, you find a new big man. But Oden will always be atleast solid back up, if not a super-star starter!

 

[Eastoff]

What would be your next course of action knob?

there is no k in my name =]

 

[Eastoff]

7'1

fyi greg is 7' and joel is 7'1"

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I don't think there's anything he could possible do to not have us extend him for 4 years or match anyone who does. Even if he never improves from last year, he's going to get paid. Look at the contract Przy got 3 years ago, for goodness' sakes. If he MF's his other knee, they'll rehab him and see what a 23-year old 7'1 defensive and rebounding beast looks like in 2010-11. No trade will happen.

Wouldn't you agree that it will make KP's job a whole lot easier signing him if he does come out next year, kicks arse and takes names?

 

[Eastoff]

Wouldn't you agree that it will make KP's job a whole lot easier signing him if he does come out next year, kicks arse and takes names?

wouldn't you buy a tree that grew money for leaves? of course kp would sign him if he was a beastie!

 

[Boob-No-More]

you did not really answer his question. it was a hypothetical "what do you do if oden doesn't develop?"

Easy, you continue to work with him. It's not like this is a make or break year for Oden. He's 21 now and will be 22 at the end of the coming season. He's WAY too young and has WAY too much potential to even consider giving up on him. Some players, especially big men, take longer to develop than others. Given the fact that Oden has already shown he can be very productive when he's actually on the court, it would be extemely short sighted (and just plain dumb) to give up on him so soon.

I have no idea if Nate is the "right" coach for Greg. If Greg shows little, or no improvement his season, I think you try to find somebody else for him to work with during the off season. It wasn't Nate that held Greg back last season, it was foul trouble. As Greg adjusts to the speed of the NBA game (which seemed to surprise him last year after 19 months away from competitive basketball - 2 summer league games and 1 pick-up game at 24-Hour Fitness excluded) and regains some of the lateral quickness and explosiveness he lost after the surgery, I think the fouls will go down, the minutes will go up and the haters go away (a guy can dream).

BNM

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

That would be a hard pill to swallow! I think I would keep him, sign him to another CHEAP ass contract (because he is in his final year of the rookie contract this year, right?) and see how he does on his 2nd contract at a much cheaper price!

 

[Boob-No-More]

Wouldn't you agree that it will make KP's job a whole lot easier signing him if he does come out next year, kicks arse and takes names?

No, I wouldn't agree with that. If Oden stinks it up, he'll be easy to re-sign and a huge bargain. If he dominates, you are looking at another max. to near max. player. He'll be re-signed either way. The only quesion is how much. The better Oden plays, they more money his agent will demand.

BNM

 

[DaRizzle]

Trade him for Sam Bowie

(i couldnt resist)

 

[Wheels]

you did not really answer his question. it was a hypothetical "what do you do if oden doesn't develop?"

sorry I was trying to answer it as "what can you do haters will always hate"

 

[elcap15]

why does this have to be the make or break year for Oden? He will still be very young after this season. Even if he never improves, every team wants a big man like him on their roster.

 

[illmatic99]

why does this have to be the make or break year for Oden? He will still be very young after this season. Even if he never improves, every team wants a big man like him on their roster.

In theory, it can be construed as a contract year for him. If he expects big money in his future like Roy and Aldridge did this summer, he has to produce.

Then again, he can also break out the season after and become a RFA.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

With Oden's size, even when he struggle, he can help the team. Big men of his size don't come around too often.

So I suspect the Blazers will continue to work with him . . .even if he continues to struggle.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

No, I wouldn't agree with that. If Oden stinks it up, he'll be easy to re-sign and a huge bargain. If he dominates, you are looking at another max. to near max. player. He'll be re-signed either way. The only quesion is how much. The better Oden plays, they more money his agent will demand.

BNM

To me, that is dangerous terittory. If Oden stinks, I still think their will be teams out there willing to overpay for a big man. Then the question is whether the Blazer match.

 

[Blazed Mania 52]

Well we dont need to panic thats for sure. Oden is not going to be our Kareem or Hakeem type of player no matter how good he gets, and since we have Roy that is fine. As long as he stays healthy and works on all facets of his game we should be more then fine. Now if we didnt have Roy or LMA, and Outlaw and Oden would be running the show then yes, we have to panic and probably trade him as fast he still had any value left.

 

[mook]

When you've got the talent we do around him, you can kind of live with a high quality, but not dominant, center. Somebody in the calibre of, say, Brad Miller or Rik Smitts or Dikembe Mutombo. Maybe Alonzo Mourning. That to me is Oden's baseline, assuming he can stay healthy. 14 more MPG and a little improvement around the edges, and that's pretty much what we've got right now.

I'm also a long way away from saying we don't have a Hakeem or Kareem level center on our hands. There's no guarantee he will be that good, but there's no guarantee he won't either.

Greg Oden will either be pretty good, really good, really really fucking good, or plagued by injury. There aren't other options.

 

[Minstrel]

Greg Oden will either be pretty good, really good, really really fucking good, or plagued by injury. There aren't other options.

Pretty much my thoughts, too. His rookie season was the worst he'll ever be (barring serious injury) and he was quite good for a little over 20 minutes per game. If all he did was learn to play at that level while fouling at a rate that allowed him to play 30-35 MPG, he'll be a top-ten center in the league. That's his floor, IMO. His ceiling is a surefire Hall of Famer. Anything from that floor to ceiling will make Portland a title contender. So, in my opinion, only career-ending/altering injury will prevent Oden from elevating Portland to title contender.

 

[oldmangrouch]

How the team reacts will depend on *why* he flops.

If he is just one of those guys who can't stay healthy, about all they can do is grit their teeth and start coming up with plan "B".

If he stays healthy, but just plays poorly (eg can't stay out of foul trouble, never develops an offensive game), then I suspect Nate become the scapegoat.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

why does this have to be the make or break year for Oden? He will still be very young after this season. Even if he never improves, every team wants a big man like him on their roster.

It doesn't and even if he does struggle. I will not be ready to cut ties with him. I will be ready to cut ties with the coach. It very will could be that Nate is not the right guy to bring him up. That's not Greg's fault.

You just need to find a guy that can take Greg's raw talents and develop them into something that will make a difference on the floor for the blazers.

Sorry Nate, if you can't get it out of Greg. Bring in Popp.

 

[Boob-No-More]

To me, that is dangerous terittory. If Oden stinks, I still think their will be teams out there willing to overpay for a big man. Then the question is whether the Blazer match.

Match what? We sign him to a contract extension by October 31, 2010 and he never even becomes an RFA. There will be no offers to match.

BNM

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Match what? We sign him to a contract extension by October 31, 2010 and he never even becomes an RFA. There will be no offers to match.

BNM

*edited*

 

[KingSpeed]

Oden actually played well last year. He just didn't stay on the floor long enough. If he continues to have foul problems which don't fade over the year? Hmm, I guess I'd be concerned. He needs to be more than a 20-25 MPG player. Not really sure what else to say beyond that...I expect him to get his fouls under control, but if he can't, it will severely limit his value as a player.

Getting into constant foul trouble is not playing well.

 

[crandc]

As to what I can do, I can cheer for Oden and the Blazers. Or not. That's about it. I will cheer for Oden and the Blazers.

As for what KP would do, I agree that the team expects improvement from Oden but not necessarily a megastar year. Of course, a megastar year would be great. But if he just keeps getting better, that's enough for now. If he does turn out injury prone, that would pose a problem. But Oden's history has not been one of injuries. And he is still very young.

As for the haters, ignore them. When someone decides to hate, whether it's Oden or Obama, NOTHING the person can say or do will change it. NOTHING. Say "the sky is blue" and they will tell you that is a subversive nazi comment. So don't base your life or waste your energy on them.