One thing that really hurts about the Oden disappointment

[KingSpeed]

You know, when we got Oden, our team got a ton of attention. Remember how suddenly, they 15 games on the schedule for national television? Just like that. We were instantly considered one of the powers of the league. Everyone wanted to see Oden-Shaq, Oden-Duncan, Oden-Howard, in his ROOKIE year. I think everyone assumed we were getting a 1989 David Robinson, someone who would make an immediate impact. And I think management thought that (they marketed him like a superstar) and a lot of the fans thought that too. Three years later, he's hurt and his BEST stretch of basketball was averaging 11 ppg, 8 rpg, and 2 bpg. Not horrible, but not league-shattering. Sad. If you talked to me back in '07, I would've told you that I expected us to be a serious contender for the championship in '10. Sad.

 

[maxiep]

Greg Oden has been the victim of bad luck, nothing more. And his stats don't tell the story of his impact on the game.

I'm a Greg Oden believer.

 

[KingSpeed]

Greg Oden has been the victim of bad luck, nothing more. And his stats don't tell the story of his impact on the game.

I'm a Greg Oden believer.

Yes, but he hasn't become a superstar and that is what he was marketed to be, rightfully or wrongly. He's a fine player but couldn't win rookie of the year and probably wouldn't have made the All Star team this season.

 

[maxiep]

Yes, but he hasn't become a superstar and that is what he was marketed to be, rightfully or wrongly. He's a fine player but couldn't win rookie of the year and probably wouldn't have made the All Star team this season.

Seriously? He hasn't played a single game in his career where he was in top form and he was a dominating defender with a massive PER (and another thing that begins with "p", but I digress).

Give him a healthy season or two and we're looking at 16 points, 12 boards and 2.5 blocks a game with All-NBA defense. He's a superstar in waiting; he's simply too physically talented with the desire to do well not to be.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

It fucking blows.

I believe in Oden. I have to, its the only thing keeping me out of the abyss.....

 

[KingSpeed]

Seriously? He hasn't played a single game in his career where he was in top form and he was a dominating defender with a massive PER (and another thing that begins with "p", but I digress)..

David Lee has better PER than Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, and Pau Gasol. They all (plus Zach Randolph) have better PER than Roy. PER can be misleading.

 

[KingSpeed]

Give him a healthy season or two and we're looking at 16 points, 12 boards and 2.5 blocks a game with All-NBA defense. He's a superstar in waiting; he's simply too physically talented with the desire to do well not to be.

Add 2 more rebounds and 2 more blocks to that and we're talking greatness. Remember- in David Robinson's FIRST SEASON (and he took TWO YEARS off from basketball before that season), he averaged 24.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 apg, and 3.9 blks. Now THAT is greatness. If Oden's only going to score 16 ppg, then I want 14 boards and 4.5 blocks if we want to talk Bill Russell and Hall of Fame.

 

[maxiep]

Add 2 more rebounds and 2 more blocks to that and we're talking greatness. Remember- in David Robinson's FIRST SEASON (and he took TWO YEARS off from basketball before that season), he averaged 24.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 apg, and 3.9 blks. Now THAT is greatness. If Oden's only going to score 16 ppg, then I want 14 boards and 4.5 blocks if we want to talk Bill Russell and Hall of Fame.

David Robinson was the Spurs first option. GO would be our third option, likely picking up the scraps off the boards. I think 16 points would be insane in that role.

 

[KingSpeed]

David Robinson was the Spurs first option. GO would be our third option, likely picking up the scraps off the boards. I think 16 points would be insane in that role.

I don't know about insane, but it would be nice.

 

[KingSpeed]

Going to bed. Fun chattin with ya.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

ALL the warning signs were there in his pre-draft physical.

Three years and $20,000,000+ later he's still rehabbing.

Again.

 

[Rodolfo]

ALL the warning signs were there in his pre-draft physical.

Three years and $20,000,000+ later he's still rehabbing.

Again.

What the fuck is the point of bitching and moaning? Why don't you go root for the Thunder?

 

[WillG]

I don't recall seeing any negative reports on Oden.

They said his knees were pristine.

Guys just had the worst luck.
Here's hoping he's used up all of that bad luck, so as to have a Monster 10-15 year stretch of Dominance in the league.
Make it so TPTB.

 

[BlazerBeav]

ALL the warning signs were there in his pre-draft physical.

Oh yes? Care to share your copy of it with us, oh enlightened one?

 

[Kaydow]

Why compare Oden to David Robinson? First of all, what was Robinson - 24 years old his rookie year? Plus, nobody expected Greg to be that dynamic offensively. D-Rob was one of the top/most agile big men of all time offensively.

Anybody who watched Greg at Ohio State knew he wasn't as quick, agile, or coordinated as a guy like that. I still thought he'd be 15/11/2 right away on his size and strength alone. I figured foul trouble would be a problem, but not to the extent that it was. He's still really young. And he does have an incredible impact on the game as Maxiep mentioned. Look at what Marcus Camby has brought to this team over the last month (11-5 since the trade) His rebounds and blocks have single handedly made this team respectable defensively and on the boards. We haven't had that since Joel went down. Well, Greg was playing like that before he got hurt.

I just want to see Roy, LA, & Greg figure it out together. Other than Greg getting hurt again, that's the only thing I worry about. I saw enough from GO early this year to know he can be a force in this league. Future All Star? No doubt if he can stay healthy.

 

[RR7]

Oh yes? Care to share your copy of it with us, oh enlightened one?

This. How many times do we have to hear about this 1/2-4" difference in leg size bullshit. I've heard 1/2". Heard 1". Anyone got proof? During the pre-draft measurements, can you show me where they did leg sizes?

 

[Wheels]

*Beep* God Dammit!

 

[Wheels]

ALL the warning signs were there in his pre-draft physical.

Three years and $20,000,000+ later he's still rehabbing.

Again.

and sooooooo much can be done about it now.

 

[maxiep]

ALL the warning signs were there in his pre-draft physical.

Three years and $20,000,000+ later he's still rehabbing.

Again.

To be fair, all the warning signs were there with Brandon Roy, too. It's one of the reasons he slipped to 7th.

 

[Wheels]

To be fair, all the warning signs were there with Brandon Roy, too. It's one of the reasons he slipped to 7th.

No.. THATS DIFFERENT!!!!!

 

[RR7]

To be fair, all the warning signs were there with Brandon Roy, too. It's one of the reasons he slipped to 7th.

Damnit, we should have held on to Foye!

 

[maxiep]

This. How many times do we have to hear about this 1/2-4" difference in leg size bullshit. I've heard 1/2". Heard 1". Anyone got proof? During the pre-draft measurements, can you show me where they did leg sizes?

This report about his difference in leg sizes is simply untrue. I know what happened. They measured one leg and then accidentially measured his penis instead of his other leg. His legs are the same length; his penis is 1 1/2" longer.

Mystery solved.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Why am I not shocked that one of the most 'detrimental' outcomes of Oden's injury plagued first 3 years in KS's eyes is the lack of attention.

If I squint really hard I can almost see the twisted logic:
Attention=validation
validation=credibility
credibility=championship

Am I close?

 

[Elton]

No Bones about it.

 

[Wheels]

No Bones about it.

is that pic in your avatar from a hike you took?

 

[donkiez]

You can add fouls to the list of hurt. Having his time when he is healthy limited because of deserved and ticky tack calls is very frustrating. And watching Durant do so good so fast is hard also. I hate feeling like I have to root agains Durant because I like watching him play. I am an Oden believer also though, but with each year he misses injured is another year of development out the window.

 

[THE HCP]

Add 2 more rebounds and 2 more blocks to that and we're talking greatness. Remember- in David Robinson's FIRST SEASON (and he took TWO YEARS off from basketball before that season), he averaged 24.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 apg, and 3.9 blks. Now THAT is greatness. If Oden's only going to score 16 ppg, then I want 14 boards and 4.5 blocks if we want to talk Bill Russell and Hall of Fame.

but the Admiral was a 24 year old rookie. Not to take anything away from his rookie #'s, but he was very mature for his first season.

 

[Masbee]

To be fair, all the warning signs were there with Brandon Roy, too. It's one of the reasons he slipped to 7th.

And Batum.

 

[Masbee]

To be fair, all the warning signs were there with Brandon Roy, too. It's one of the reasons he slipped to 7th.

And Aldridge had a minor heart issue. Wonder if that scared the Bulls just a teeny, tiny bit (Eddy Curry memories) that they we so willing to trade him for Thomas?

 

[Minstrel]

Anybody who watched Greg at Ohio State knew he wasn't as quick, agile, or coordinated as a guy like that.

I don't agree with that. I think he was similarly quick, agile and coordinated. In fact, in terms of how he looked, I felt he reminded me most of David Robinson (not Shaq or Duncan or Russell).

The difference is that he was rawer in his skills. Robinson had marvelous footwork and his skills on offense were superbly polished. But Robinson had 4 years of college and then 2 more years of physical maturity beyond that. Oden as a freshman compared quite favourably with players like Duncan, Robinson, Ewing, Mourning and Shaq as freshmen. Oden's problem is that two major (in terms of time missed) injuries haven't allowed him to progress in his skills at normal speed.

I think Oden's mix of size, athleticism and instinct stack up well with any big man I've seen play. I think this is shown by how incredibly productive he's been without refined skills already in his limited NBA exposure. He's been a defensive difference-maker and his offensive production (as measured by PER) is validated by how many opposing coaches choose to double-team him.

All he needs is some extended health in order to refine his skills. If he were playing his third healthy season right now, I think he'd be at least neck-and-neck with Howard and Yao (when healthy) as the best center in the league. So, it all depends on health with Oden.