OT - The trials of Greg Oden

[SlyPokerDog]

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11455761/nba-trials-greg-oden

 

[jlprk]

Long article. To save everyone time, here are the 3 excerpts I found interesting. I didn't know Oden had had a psychologist while a Blazer, much less that the coaches were treated. I didn't think Oden had a chance (even before he was busted) of signing with a team this season.

About two months after being drafted, Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee, ending his rookie season before it began. Instead of teaching his franchise center the finer points of post play, McMillan would soon be spending his nights coaching the Blazers to cope without him. Eventually, his days would often require working with Oden through counseling for depression. There were times when Portland's basketball staff went through counseling to better help Oden benefit from his own sessions.

The Heat have not responded to requests seeking comment about Oden since the arrest. A week before the incident, Riley would not rule out an Oden return. "We talked about it, and we know him physically better than anybody else would," the team president said during a July 30 conference call about the Heat's offseason plans. "Next year, we would raise the protocol on him and see if he would have a different approach. I've seen him play in practices and I've seen him play in games, and you just don't walk away from that kind of talent." Executives with two teams Oden saw playing time against last season both said they believe the center, in the right system, could build on his initial steps with the Heat.

The Aug. 7 arrest of Indianapolis native Greg Oden for felony domestic battery came during a month of heartbreaking sports headlines in Indiana.

Aug. 1 Pacers star forward Paul George suffers a compound leg fracture in Team USA scrimmage that will force him out of the 2014-15 season.
Aug. 7 Oden, former Mr. Basketball in Indiana and the state's only No. 1 draft pick, arrested on multiple domestic violence charges for punching a woman.
Aug. 9 Three-time NASCAR champion and Columbus, Ind. native Tony Stewart strikes and kills Kevin Ward Jr. on the track during a sprint car race.
Aug. 17 Notre Dame confirms the ongoing investigating into an academic scandal in which five football players have since been removed from the team.
Aug. 20 A judge delayed the trial of Colts owner Jim Irsay, arrested in March for driving while intoxicated and illegal possession of prescription drugs.

 

[HailBlazers]

Thanks, jlprk.

About two months after being drafted, Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee, ending his rookie season before it began. Instead of teaching his franchise center the finer points of post play, McMillan would soon be spending his nights coaching the Blazers to cope without him. Eventually, his days would often require working with Oden through counseling for depression. There were times when Portland's basketball staff went through counseling to better help Oden benefit from his own sessions.

Further evidence to me that MF that early on was a mistake.

 

[BBert]

And there's the silver lining in a raft of otherwise depressing news:

Aug. 17 Notre Dame confirms the ongoing investigating into an academic scandal in which five football players have since been removed from the team.

 

[kjironman1]

Really this is just very sad. I know the story as well as most but I read it every time.

 

[jlprk]

Thanks, jlprk.

You're welcome. I did the same Readers Digest service yesterday.

http://sportstwo.com/threads/270867...d-resources.?p=3431382&viewfull=1#post3431382

You've all read Readers Digest all through your adolescence and many of their book condensations, right?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

As long as he doesn't play for the L*kers, I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

 

[julius]

Thanks, jlprk.



Further evidence to me that MF that early on was a mistake.

I don't agree or disagree, but just wonder. Was there something else in the article that said it was a mistake? Because based on what the quote said, I didn't see it.

 

[HailBlazers]

Was there something else in the article that said it was a mistake? Because based on what the quote said, I didn't see it.

No, simply my own accord since it was first announced. I'll never forgot the day, reading about it was quite the shocker because the organization was not forthcoming about the fact that MF was on the table leading up to the surgery. Greg himself didn't even know until he woke up, although I'm sure he was informed of the possibility beforehand.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

McMillan was the voice of reason in that entire article.

Oden's knees are done and the more he tries the more he's risking his long-term health. He'll be walking with a cane by the time he's 40. Brandon Roy got the hint.

Let's not forget that he only stopped punching her face when he noticed blood splattering onto the couch. Screw Oden.

 

[craigehlo]

Tragic story. Maybe after he serves some time for his crime he will learn some humility and get into a recovery program for his drinking.

 

[handiman]

"We talked about it, and we know him physically better than anybody else would," the team president said during a July 30 conference call about the Heat's offseason plans. "Next year, we would raise the protocol on him and see if he would have a different approach. I've seen him play in practices and I've seen him play in games, and you just don't walk away from that kind of talent."

...unless you're Portland.

 

[riverman]

Beyond basketball and all it's empowerments, Oden is no longer a kid and I hope they throw the book at him. I've no tolerance for domestic violence or the ravings of drunks that have the kind of privileges his wealth provides as well as a paid for education. Horrible example he's set now with this stupid deplorable act.

 

[PDXFonz]

Now I'm glad he went to Miami. Didn't win a title, and the focus point won't be 100% on portland when his name is brought up.

 

[maxiep]

As long as he doesn't play for the L*kers, I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

This. Repped.

 

[dviss1]

I hope hot lava flows out of both of Greg Oden's knees and he never plays again. Straight up... At least Brandon and Lamarcus Re-Upped with us...
IMHO Greg owes us big... Not only did he become an alcoholic instead of staying strong (which is akin to quitting on us IMO), he makes
ignorant statements about Black men with money not liking my town. He's an idiot for saying that and he doesn't speak for all of us black folk.
Saying ignorance like that hurts our FA possibilities too therefore perpetuating more ignorance. Besides he looked like he was having loads of fun drinking
and straddling white girls in the Downtown Clubs didn't he? Instead of posting dick picks online and texting them to 6'10" strippers,
he should have been keeping his weight down and maybe his fucking knees wouldn't explode when he jumps...
Fuck Greg. Yes I said it....

Repost....

 

[PDXFonz]

I hope hot lava flows out of both of Greg Oden's knees and he never plays again. Straight up... At least Brandon and Lamarcus Re-Upped with us...
IMHO Greg owes us big... Not only did he become an alcoholic instead of staying strong (which is akin to quitting on us IMO), he makes
ignorant statements about Black men with money not liking my town. He's an idiot for saying that and he doesn't speak for all of us black folk.
Saying ignorance like that hurts our FA possibilities too therefore perpetuating more ignorance. Besides he looked like he was having loads of fun drinking
and straddling white girls in the Downtown Clubs didn't he? Instead of posting dick picks online and texting them to 6'10" strippers,
he should have been keeping his weight down and maybe his fucking knees wouldn't explode when he jumps...
Fuck Greg. Yes I said it....

Repost....

[video=youtube;HzSUo8iPp4M]

 

[dviss1]

[video=youtube;HzSUo8iPp4M]

Use the word in context. Most people who say hater and don't know WTF they're talking about. You seem to be one of those.

A hater is someone who is actively trying to throw salt on someone so they cannot get with a female (playahater) or have some type of personal gain.

Giving an opinion of someone because of a fact while not attempting to thwart their efforts, is not hating.

Learn the game, then post...

 

[PDXFonz]

Use the word in context. Most people who say hater and don't know WTF they're talking about. You seem to be one of those.

A hater is someone who is actively trying to throw salt on someone so they cannot get with a female (playahater) or have some type of personal gain.

Giving an opinion of someone because of a fact while not attempting to thwart their efforts, is not hating.

Learn the game, then post...

I didn't say shit man, that is ICE-T.

 

[dviss1]

I didn't say shit man, that is ICE-T.

You posted it so you said it.

 

[santeesioux]

Who is Greg Oden?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

This thread deserves cocc pics:

 

[jlprk]

Tragic story. Maybe after he serves some time for his crime he will learn some humility and get into a recovery program for his drinking.

He's plenty humble. He's just been driven mental by his disappointing career. Also by trying to work out, practice, and play while in pain. Try moving when it always hurts to move. It makes one less tolerant of bitches complaining about nothing.

Walton, too, went mental over his disappointing career. His current strange, too-happy personality is not the one he had in college.

 

[riverman]

He's plenty humble. He's just been driven mental by his disappointing career. Also by trying to work out, practice, and play while in pain. Try moving when it always hurts to move. It makes one less tolerant of bitches complaining about nothing.

Walton, too, went mental over his disappointing career. His current strange, too-happy personality is not the one he had in college.

You actually just compared Bill Walton and Greg Oden? Wow dude! A lot of folks living with pain don't fracture their ex girlfriends nose or give her a black eye. Nope, he's not getting any respect from my camp anytime soon. He's a 25 year old millionaire drunk that's out of control. You got the mental part right, I'll give ya that

 

[magnifier661]

Who is Greg Oden?

I explained this earlier!

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Could have gotten a stitched lettering Oden jersey today for my son for less than a dollar but passed.

 

[BBert]

Could have gotten a stitched lettering Oden jersey today for my son for less than a dollar but passed.

"Stitched", LOL.

 

[1honestfan]

Beyond basketball and all it's empowerments, Oden is no longer a kid and I hope they throw the book at him. I've no tolerance for domestic violence or the ravings of drunks that have the kind of privileges his wealth provides as well as a paid for education. Horrible example he's set now with this stupid deplorable act.

At this point, I have to agree with you. It's just too hard to defend him now and he's out of the good will gestures.

 

[1honestfan]

You actually just compared Bill Walton and Greg Oden? Wow dude! A lot of folks living with pain don't fracture their ex girlfriends nose or give her a black eye. Nope, he's not getting any respect from my camp anytime soon. He's a 25 year old millionaire drunk that's out of control. You got the mental part right, I'll give ya that

Are they comparable under a magnifying glass and looking at their finger prints? No. Do Walton and Oden have certain parallels, yes.

Both are centers who had bad injuries and didn't have the careers they thought they would have. They also both had bouts with depression. Did both alienate their fan bases? Yep. (Walton by blaming and suing the Blazers and Oden with his statements). While (IMO) they are not comparable down the the fingerprint level, they do have some parallels.