The Oden Silver lining?

[Nikolokolus]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/09/blazers_insider_greg_odens_min.html

Oden's left knee, which snapped during a Dec. 5 game last season, still hasn't healed enough for him to start practice today. Oden said he would not be ready to play in the Oct. 26 season opener.

And since nobody wearing a Blazers logo will say it, let's call it what it is: Oden is behind schedule and his situation is a disappointment.

But when the television cameras and notepads had swooshed off to the other Blazers soap opera – disgruntled Rudy Fernandez – Oden made an important revelation:

He no longer drinks alcohol. No longer goes to clubs. No longer partakes in late-night fast food.

And those three facts might be the biggest news that came out of Monday's media day.

"It's not a big deal," Oden said. "It's just something I wanted to do. It just kept going through my head that I have to change something."

Now, let's be clear. Nobody on the Blazers was willing to say that Oden's affection for the night life had become a concern. Nobody.

And Oden insists, neither his partying nor drinking were ever out of control.

"My first year (2007) was probably my worst," Oden said of his drinking. "But after that, I definitely cut back. I never thought that I had a problem or anything. I actually stopped last season."

But also understand that there were enough late-night escapades that they turned up in the "intel" reports gathered by new general manager Rich Cho. And there were enough rumors of partying floating around that team leader Brandon Roy admitted some fans would ask him 'What was up with Oden being out on the town all the time?'

Personally I think all twenty-somethings should go out, party, have fun and do whatever the hell they want to within the fuzzy margins of the law, but in Greg's case this probably isn't the worst thing for his career and prospects for finally getting and staying healthy if he's A) cutting out the junkfood and B) taking better care of his body with proper sleep. Of course I'm still pretty dubious about him actually getting and staying healthy, but I give him credit for taking proper steps to give himself the best chance.

 

[Rhal]

Whatever keeps him in shape and injury free (if there is such a thing for Oden) i'm all for. As for him coming back at "christmas" I think that was just said out of frustration that he was being asked the same questions over and over. Hopefully he'll be back after 5 to 10 games.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Jail Blazers > Frail Blazers.

I could give a shit if he smokes crack, just as long as he's healthy and playing well on the court.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I'm glad to see this. I don't think a professional athlete in a fast up and down sport should be drinking a lot of alcohol. And I think he may have been drinking a lot, since it appears he is still drinking socially and considers that not drinking.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't think this actually has any bearing on his woes so far, but I can understand the philosophical desire to make a change.

 

[Shooter]

As a non-drinker myself, I think this is a great decision. However, I'm afraid this is about the only good news we'll be getting from Oden this year.

 

[MIXUM]

ya know i think its a good thing oden has backed away from drinking and smoking..... cant hurt ..... BUT..... one thing i have decided about sports, wether its MLB, NBA, NFL.... nice guys usually dont win titles. Bad ass players do. Greg couldnt be bad ass if he played in a league with midgets. Neither could roy or la. you need a mean streak imo.

 

[BGrantFan]

Oden Changes Lifestyle

Informative article from Quick in this morning's O.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/09/blazers_insider_greg_odens_min.html

Some cuts from it:

But when the television cameras and notepads had swooshed off to the other Blazers soap opera – disgruntled Rudy Fernandez – Oden made an important revelation:

He no longer drinks alcohol. No longer goes to clubs. No longer partakes in late-night fast food.

And those three facts might be the biggest news that came out of Monday's media day.

"It's not a big deal," Oden said. "It's just something I wanted to do. It just kept going through my head that I have to change something."

Contract year change? Anyhow, good news, and I hope it sticks after this season.

"My first year (2007) was probably my worst," Oden said of his drinking. "But after that, I definitely cut back. I never thought that I had a problem or anything. I actually stopped last season."

But also understand that there were enough late-night escapades that they turned up in the "intel" reports gathered by new general manager Rich Cho. And there were enough rumors of partying floating around that team leader Brandon Roy admitted some fans would ask him 'What was up with Oden being out on the town all the time?'

Perhaps these reports have something to do with the lack of an extension? Plus, Greg's a bit young to have to think so much about his alcohol consumption, isn't he. That said, acknowledging it as a potential problem is a plus.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Oden also has made the decision to accept the fact he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, and in essence, to accept the fact that No. 2 pick Kevin Durant has blossomed into one of the NBA's best players.

Over the years, his mom, Zoe, sensed his struggle with accepting the fame and expectations of being the No. 1 overall pick. So this summer, she started buying pictures that featured in some way, shape or form, the No. 1 in it. Those pictures are littered among Oden's homes in Indiana and Oregon.

"What I've been through and the problems I've had, and the success of K.D., it was kind of tough to see that and not feel worthy of it sometimes," Oden said. "But Mom was like, 'You have to accept it ... you have to go along with it.' "

I'm glad Greg is not only accepting, but is seemingly embracing the comparisons with Durant. It is the reality, and denying it (like I see on this board at times) does nothing positive.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Re: Oden Changes Lifestyle

So, he decided to NOT go the route of Jaynes and therefore not end up a stinking no-nothing drunk.

 

[Shooter]

Re: Oden Changes Lifestyle

Already a thread on this.

 

[handiman]

This could also be a positive in that it will be easier to retain his services in a "small" city like Portland when his rookie deal is up.

 

[The Professional Fan]

I think, from a psychological standpoint, this is a good thing. Alcohol is a depressant, and Greg went through a lot of depressing moments. Hurting himself, rehabbing, hurting himself, rehabbing. Add excessive drinking to the cycle could definitely bring a dude down. Remember, when we drafted Greg, there was so much being made about how he had this big and funny personality. He did the ESPN commercial that was hilarious, and then after he had his microfracture, his demeanor changed a lot. Nothing jovial about him. He got fat and puffy. I think his drinking was likely a real problem for him psychologically and I'm thrilled that he decided to stop. This has nothing to do with being a bad ass or off the field character issues. It's just a smart move on his part.

 

[MickZagger]

I've heard a few people say they saw Greg out at Dodge City in Vancouver. I don't understand why though, that place is as ghetto as it gets, with fatties galore. Who knows, maybe Greg likes fatties?

 

[jlprk]

I'm for legalization of everything, but I'm also for moderation when you're playing a season or rehabilitating your body so you can play. In this article, Quick makes it clear that he covered up for Oden in the past, and that Roy and Bayless knew about the overdrinking. It's clear from Quick's wordings that Oden was a big drinker until 10 months ago, especially in his first season. And Quick is still covering up, writing several times in the article that Oden has totally quit, despite quoting Oden that he will continue to have a drink now and then. The subplot about Oden changing his diet is a euphemism for his drinking less.

It just adds fuel to the belief that Oden is partially guilty for his slow comebacks, and is not a totally innocent victim trying his hardest to earn his paycheck by minimizing his vacation time. It's obvious from his lazy manner of speaking that he isn't ambitious or driven, and finds it hard to collect his thoughts.