We need to trade Oden

[Rastapopoulos]

You know why? Because this team's fans overwhelmingly hate him. I have never seen such vitriol directed against a player for being injured or a bit disappointing. Every article on OregonLive, no matter what the subject, it seems, is followed by a "Oden has no heart" comment.

Even if Oden was the strongest-willed player in the world, I can't imagine that not affecting him. Players need to be believed in, unless they're sociopaths. Maybe Portland is just too much of a small town. I remember Shaq getting fed up with the constant scrutiny in Orlando (calling it a "dried up mud puddle" as he left) and he's somebody who's naturally gregarious. If I was Oden, I would be begging for a new start away from the constant whining and grousing. And it's starting to get to the point that I can't stand reading about the team in any forum because of the relentless negativity.

I believe that Greg Oden should have been the #1 pick. I'd pick him there again. But maybe he needs to get out of here. Maybe Portland is too bush league to have patience with him. Trade him to a team that has a coach who can handle smart introspective players (like, y'know, Phil Jackson [see Williams, Brian/Dele, Bison]) and release everybody from the poison that just keeps building up.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

You know why? Because this team's fans overwhelmingly hate him. I have never seen such vitriol directed against a player for being injured or a bit disappointing. Every article on OregonLive, no matter what the subject, it seems, is followed by a "Oden has no heart" comment.

You obviously weren't a Blazer fan in 1978, then. I've seen this all before.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Do you really believe that people who post on message boards are good sample for extrapolating the thoughts and feelings of the fan base at large?

 

[maxiep]

You obviously weren't a Blazer fan in 1978, then. I've seen this all before.

And look where hating on Walton got us. That's a great parallel.

 

[boatsandstars]

The team should not operate by Mob Rule. Believe it or not, but the "fans" don't usually know what's best or see the big picture. Doesn't mean you or I can't have an opinion or can't be right, but it's no way to operate a team.

 

[Minstrel]

I wouldn't trade Oden because of a silly segment of the fanbase that's overreacting to (rather minor) disappointment.

Hopefully, Oden doesn't read message boards...they tend to have the most reactionary fans.

 

[LittleAlex]

If Oden thinks Portland media and fans are mean, then he should give New York a try.


Or Philly.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I assume KP reiterates over and over (Much like collges coaches do) NOT to read the message boards. I also assume it does not work. They do read them. Or their friends read them and tell them about it.

To me its like a comparing all Americans to those who are seen on Jerry Springer. The stupid ones always stand out.

 

[PapaG]

You know why? Because this team's fans overwhelmingly hate him. I have never seen such vitriol directed against a player for being injured or a bit disappointing. Every article on OregonLive, no matter what the subject, it seems, is followed by a "Oden has no heart" comment.

Even if Oden was the strongest-willed player in the world, I can't imagine that not affecting him. Players need to be believed in, unless they're sociopaths. Maybe Portland is just too much of a small town. I remember Shaq getting fed up with the constant scrutiny in Orlando (calling it a "dried up mud puddle" as he left) and he's somebody who's naturally gregarious. If I was Oden, I would be begging for a new start away from the constant whining and grousing. And it's starting to get to the point that I can't stand reading about the team in any forum because of the relentless negativity.

I believe that Greg Oden should have been the #1 pick. I'd pick him there again. But maybe he needs to get out of here. Maybe Portland is too bush league to have patience with him. Trade him to a team that has a coach who can handle smart introspective players (like, y'know, Phil Jackson [see Williams, Brian/Dele, Bison]) and release everybody from the poison that just keeps building up.

Nice strawman. I didn't read the rest because the bolded part was so ridiculously off the mark. Who "hates" Oden?

 

[Foulzilla]

Way to extrapolate the loudest people to "overwhelmingly".

There's no shortage of people who are not overreacting to the Oden injury. It's just that overreacting is a lot louder. You are managing to overreact to overreaction. I'm contemplating overreacting to your overreacting to the overreaction, just because I've found I like typing overreact. Overreact.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well, when you're greeted as a savior upon your arrival, where else is there to go but down in peoples minds? Oden was treated as if he was a champion before he even played a game, so this kind of reaction really isn't that surprising. The man isn't a god, he can't turn water into wine, and he definitely can't walk on water. He's a young big man, still adapting to the NBA.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It would be okay if it was just internet message boards. It isn't. It's the "mainstream media" right down to people who are supposed to be "experts" like David Thorpe. There is no way in hell to avoid it. Canzano is just another example. Media drives players away, or at the very least can sap their ability to enjoy their lives (unless they seal themselves off from the public hermetically, and I hope that's not what we would want for Oden).

Oden is also only just 21. That's not an age where you're particularly settled in your view of yourself. It can't help. I'm willing to bet that players like Kwame Brown could've ended up a lot more productive if they'd've been second round picks just because they wouldn't be hounded the whole time.

Incidentally, I will hunt down and dismember anyone who accuses me of overreacting. And their relatives, yea unto the fifth generation.

 

[BallersCove]

I believe Oden aka Benjimen Buttons, fits the Team okay, ya gotta lower expectations 4 this guy. He's a rebounder / shot blocker.
You already have quality scorers such as Aldridge, & Roy to carry the scoring burden.

 

[HailBlazers]

Your not overreacting, your just not patient like all the other crazed fans. While Oden is struggling he is also bonding with his team mates. Did you see Roy fucking with Oden on the bench during the minny game and them both laughing? I think Oden will be fine as long as he continues to stay tight with his team.

Furthermore, give Oden a summer off to hone his skills so he can finally let his game do the talking! Never thought I'd say this but I'm much more sick and tired of all the whining from Canzano and the impatient fans than I am of Oden not playing. Thanks to B-Roy ofcourse!

 

[oldmangrouch]

In the minds of some of us unreasonable fans, being THE #1 pick in the draft carries with it certain expectations. Some of us more reactionary old coots might even say it carries obligations.

I'm sorry that our existence annoys the pollyanna/drink-the-kool-aid fans. Maybe you are right. If Wall Street millionaires aren't held accountable for their actions, why should basketball players?

 

[boatsandstars]

In the minds of some of us unreasonable fans, being THE #1 pick in the draft carries with it certain expectations. Some of us more reactionary old coots might even say it carries obligations.

I'm sorry that our existence annoys the pollyanna/drink-the-kool-aid fans. Maybe you are right. If Wall Street millionaires aren't held accountable for their actions, why should basketball players?

Winner! Most ridiculous post of the year.

 

[MikeDC]

It would be okay if it was just internet message boards. It isn't. It's the "mainstream media" right down to people who are supposed to be "experts" like David Thorpe. There is no way in hell to avoid it. Canzano is just another example. Media drives players away, or at the very least can sap their ability to enjoy their lives (unless they seal themselves off from the public hermetically, and I hope that's not what we would want for Oden).

I don't know if it's necessary to trade him, but my observation about this phenomenon in general is that die hard guys who post on message boards are actually less reactionary than casual fans.

Casual fans who don't follow things as closely and only hear the "big stories" have received dose after dose of uniformly negative info on Oden.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Winner! Most ridiculous post of the year.

Please, it's only March.

 

[Blaze01]

No we don't....

 

[MrJayremmie]

I'm contemplating overreacting to your overreacting to the overreaction

Haha, nice.

No we don't....

Well there you have it.

/thread

 

[Ghost Pepper]

OH PLEASE!!!!! Another poster hit it on the head with a jackhammer! If GO was in a big media area like New York, Boston, Detroit, LA or Chicago they'd be not only questioning his heart, but be booing him sitting on the sideline! Playing in Ptown is like getting Grandmothers love and apple pie. In LA where I am, fans would be wearing Durant shirts to home games if they got Greg. Do you think Celtic fans would be going easy on him? If they had gotten GO with the first pick as they'd expected, they'd still be in the lottery. No rings, no KG, no Allen just GO on the sideline and I bet Pierce would be gone. Don't even get me started on the NEW YORK press...GEEZ! Trust me GO has been treated like a newborn in the ROSE CITY. If he can't handle the Ptown press he'd better just retire now!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

In LA where I am, fans would be wearing Durant shirts to home games if they got Greg.

That's bullshit. Half the fans in LA don't know who's on their team. Only Mark Heisler in LA is picky.

Trust me GO has been treated like a newborn in the ROSE CITY. If he can't handle the Ptown press he'd better just retire now!

The thing about those other places is that sports is swamped by everything else (and Basketball is swamped by the other sports). That just doesn't happen in Portland (or Orlando, or a couple of the other smaller places - probably San Antonio too). Oden is about as celebrity as they come. In LA the people in the expensive seats are more famous than the team. (Even the Clippers have Billy Crystal.)

 

[oldmangrouch]

OH PLEASE!!!!! Another poster hit it on the head with a jackhammer! If GO was in a big media area like New York, Boston, Detroit, LA or Chicago they'd be not only questioning his heart, but be booing him sitting on the sideline! Playing in Ptown is like getting Grandmothers love and apple pie. In LA where I am, fans would be wearing Durant shirts to home games if they got Greg. Do you think Celtic fans would be going easy on him? If they had gotten GO with the first pick as they'd expected, they'd still be in the lottery. No rings, no KG, no Allen just GO on the sideline and I bet Pierce would be gone. Don't even get me started on the NEW YORK press...GEEZ! Trust me GO has been treated like a newborn in the ROSE CITY. If he can't handle the Ptown press he'd better just retire now!

Very true. Oden made a choice to give up the softer life of college basketball to come to the NBA. Was he naive enough to believe he would be drafted by a team that didn't *need* him and wouldn't care if he actually produced?

Can anyone name a single NBA fanbase that wouldn't be upset with Oden?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Can anyone name a single NBA fanbase that wouldn't be upset with Oden?

A knowledgeable one? One that understands the words "microfracture"?

Let's see, was Seattle upset with Kevin Durant when he put up much worse numbers (in any of the weighted stats like PER or EFF) as a rookie than Oden is?

 

[Ghost Pepper]

You are living in a dream world!!!!!

Recap.....


GO is a player that has been followed since middle school! He was drafted as the center of a decade!! He hasn't played a full season yet, and to be honest outside of about 10 games this year has looked like a second to third round draft pick. He was thought of in the same thoughts as Bill R, Hakeem, Wilt, Patrick and Kareem.

Fans buy season tickets because of the hope of what GO would bring to the hub of ROY and LA. This is a business, and Oden damn well knew it when he became a pro and this comes with not living up to the hype. His fault or not. He hasn't lived up to his billing. This is reasonably light criticism to what he'd be taking in a city like Boston.

 

[oldmangrouch]

A knowledgeable one? One that understands the words "microfracture"?

Let's see, was Seattle upset with Kevin Durant when he put up much worse numbers (in any of the weighted stats like PER or EFF) as a rookie than Oden is?

I see. And at what point do you acknowledge injuries as a legit issue?

 

[fumanchu]

Oden is a number 1 pick, which comes with a lot of scrutiny.
Despite his injury woes and lack of pure domination, most Blazer fans still love him.
If Canzano has the power to drive him away by examining if Greg has guts, well that's just sad.
10 people bitching on a message board that Greg isn't the second coming does not = the entire fan base hates him.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Let's spin it another way.... how many readers do you get saying..... "Hey it's another day of ice for Greg!" after three months or two years, who gives a shit except the ice makers?

 

[Toko]

Oden's a great player, and if he get over his injuries he will be a top 3 center in the league.

Problem is he was hailed as the next shaq, a once in a generation type pf player, and that he isn't.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You are living in a dream world!!!!!

Why am I not enjoying it more? Were you the cheese I ate before bedtime?

GO is a player that has been followed since middle school! He was drafted as the center of a decade!!

So, if he isn't the center of the decade, does that mean we didn't draft him?

He hasn't played a full season yet,

Erm, exactly. Hey - at least he's ahead of David Robinson. He didn't play ONE GAME until two years after he was drafted! Fucking loser.

and to be honest outside of about 10 games this year has looked like a second to third round draft pick.

Kind of makes you wonder why the other team kept double teaming him. And you are aware that they haven't had a third round for about 20 years, right?

He was thought of in the same thoughts as Bill R, Hakeem, Wilt, Patrick and Kareem.

[Thinks] "Let's list some very tall African Americans."

You might want to check out Ewing's early years. And rule changes have happened since then. And did any of them only play one season of college with a broken left hand?

I'm sure you're right that SOMEbody thought of them together. What a moron!

Fans buy season tickets because of the hope of what GO would bring to the hub of ROY and LA. This is a business, and Oden damn well knew it when he became a pro and this comes with not living up to the hype. His fault or not. He hasn't lived up to his billing.

Personally I thought of him as Jehovah. I am disappointed that he hasn't smited (smote?) more people with his fiery thunderbolts. John Canzano, for example. He certainly hasn't lived up to his billing.

This is reasonably light criticism to what he'd be taking in a city like Boston.

At least until baseball season. And depending on how the Patriots are doing. Or the Bruins. And at least there he could go where everybody knows your name to ease his troubles.

But given all this, I'm sure you wouldn't mind if he WAS traded, would you?