True or False: Oden coming back strong is necessary to make the playoffs.

[KingSpeed]

You mean the 6/10 that Przybilla's put up since the ASB while starting in his absence? Or the 5.2/8.0 he's averaged all year in the same amount of minutes? And generally against subs?

I like Joel a lot, too...but if you think GO's play has been garbage, well...good luck with that.

Yes, but Joel is consistent. Oden hardly EVER gets his averages in a game. He's either pretty good like 12/10 or horrible like 4/2. Joel is there for us every game. Oden has grabbed less than 5 rebounds in 15 games this season.

 

[KingSpeed]

I agree with the vast majority here: Game-shape Oden is critical to have a prayer of winning the first round. He is not critical to get in.

iWatas

We haven't had a game-shape Oden all season. How on earth are we gonna have Game-shape Oden in the playoffs after a month or more off for the most recent injury?

 

[toutlaw25]

Yes, but Joel is consistent. Oden hardly EVER gets his averages in a game. He's either pretty good like 12/10 or horrible like 4/2. Joel is there for us every game. Oden has grabbed less than 5 rebounds in 15 games this season.

Here's something for you to ponder Kingspeed:

Pryzbilla has had 5rbs or less in 14 games this season.
Pryzbilla has scored 4pts or less in 29 games this season.

You see how easy that is. There is a reason for "averages." If you think Oden sucks that's fine, but don't deny Joel's numbers are actually worse than Oden's. Joel has been huge for us this year, no doubt, but I don't know why that means you have to automatically dump on Oden. You can enjoy watching both players.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

While getting Oden back would help, I feel that most of our playoff chances lie with what Phoenix does. Not that I don't think that we can do it on our own, but Phoenix is really hurting right now.

 

[KingSpeed]

Here's something for you to ponder Kingspeed:

Pryzbilla has had 5rbs or less in 14 games this season.
Pryzbilla has scored 4pts or less in 29 games this season.

You see how easy that is. There is a reason for "averages." If you think Oden sucks that's fine, but don't deny Joel's numbers are actually worse than Oden's. Joel has been huge for us this year, no doubt, but I don't know why that means you have to automatically dump on Oden. You can enjoy watching both players.

Good post.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

We haven't had a game-shape Oden all season. How on earth are we gonna have Game-shape Oden in the playoffs after a month or more off for the most recent injury?

I think more has to do with oden's confidence and comfort with the game vs. his actual shape....hopefully this break re-focuses him and he sees more out there on the floor now.

 

[KingSpeed]

I think more has to do with oden's confidence and comfort with the game vs. his actual shape....hopefully this break re-focuses him and he sees more out there on the floor now.

Wasn't Oden's time off last season supposed to refocus him? I thought he was out scouting the league all season and rehabbing his knee and getting ready to be "Worth the Wait." I thought we gave him a whole year off to get better. And I thought he said his repaired knee was stronger than his other one. And then after a shaky start, everyone in here was saying to give him a few months and he'd start dominating. Never happened. I'll keep waiting. And I mean that. The 17/12/6 game against the Knicks gives me hope.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Wasn't Oden's time off last season supposed to refocus him? I thought he was out scouting the league all season and rehabbing his knee and getting ready to be "Worth the Wait." I thought we gave him a whole year off to get better. And I thought he said his repaired knee was stronger than his other one. And then after a shaky start, everyone in here was saying to give him a few months and he'd start dominating. Never happened. I'll keep waiting. And I mean that. The 17/12/6 game against the Knicks gives me hope.

yeah, but he got actualy in-game action now. Oden's time off last season was supposed to anger him. I thought he'd come back from the allstar break more focused due to more comfortability with his knee (oops now)...but having in game expereince, now with the wait might help.

he doesn't really need to dominate. what Oden needs to do is to be part of the offense. I'm not sure now what happens when he comes back..if he's still reticient due to his knees....kind of freaky.

that being said, when he's not in foul trouble, our team is much much better. once (if) he gets more comfortable with the game, we'll be good.

For me, without a good oden, we're not going to reach western conference eliteness.

 

[KingSpeed]

yeah, but he got actualy in-game action now. Oden's time off last season was supposed to anger him. I thought he'd come back from the allstar break more focused due to more comfortability with his knee (oops now)...but having in game expereince, now with the wait might help.

he doesn't really need to dominate. what Oden needs to do is to be part of the offense. I'm not sure now what happens when he comes back..if he's still reticient due to his knees....kind of freaky.

that being said, when he's not in foul trouble, our team is much much better. once (if) he gets more comfortable with the game, we'll be good.

For me, without a good oden, we're not going to reach western conference eliteness.

No question. We need him to stand up and be an active force for our team to win the 15 championships he talked about.

 

[Drttimmy]

To make the playoffs, false.

To make noise in the playoffs, they need Oden.

Exactamundo. The current lineup is enough to sneak in. Phoenix is just down too deep. But Oden's absence is just too apparent. Funny that he is criticized so much, yet his importance is firmly established. The best rebounding team in the league due to him and the Thrilla, which is HUGE. They make everything so much easier for their teammates. His absence is definitely felt. To make noise(make a run for the WCF) he'll be needed. He gets us easy hoops man! So critical.