Apparently Greg is going back to Summer School at Ohio State. Also apparently Nate is a little cheesed-off at this and wanted him to stay in Portland, or at least give assurances that he would come back and work on his game.
Maybe he'll go back and find the old Greg again? Loosen up a little. Might be good for him to clear his head a little. He was just told he was a piece of shit for the last 9 months. Just staying in Portland, in a gym, around a bunch of coaches might not do him any good. He can still come back mid summer and get an early start.
No, because he's going to school and he's going to work out there. Lots of players that left college early do this and I have no problem with it. Considering Townsend went to Spain last year to work with Sergio for weeks I'm positive one of the coaches can go to Ohio to work with Greg.
"Hey Boss.. I am putting in a request to take some vacation time this summer" "Of course you can take a vacation.. but here is where you have to go..." Yeah not gonna fly.
Only if you don't count the players that don't make their new city their home, like Blake. Certainly more much more than 5% do that.
Not at all. He knows what he needs to do to get better - I am sure he will pop into Portland once or twice during the summer - and coaches will go his way - so it's not a big deal. The kid obviously worked hard to come back from some nasty injuries - can't ignore that. Let's face it - the transgressions we have had from Greg during his recovery year were that: 1. He played unauthorized basketball and 2. Spent too much time lifting weight. Does not sound like a problem with motivation to me. Kid wants to get his education, deserves time with his family like everyone else. I am certain he will do what is needed to be in better shape for next year.
I personally don't have a problem with the premise of taking time off, going home, trying to get your degree, etc. The problem, though, is that if Greg comes back and he's not in shape or he hasn't improved his footwork, the perception is going to be that he could have helped himself by staying in Portland. So, if he wants to leave, he has to understand that as a professional he's opening himself up to the potential for criticism. -Pop
This is a fair assessment of the situation. Greg has been around for long enough that he should know it - and I suspect he will be just fine. If he is not - he will deserve all the criticism coming his way.
No doubt. The franchise has already told the public how important this offseason is for him, and how much he needs to make some strides next season. G.O. was the No. 1 pick, considered a once-in-a-decade big man, and had a rally thrown for him. He needs to get in serious shape and needs to leave no doubt that he should be the starting center next season. If he can do that at home, though, that's fine.
well the big question is who is going to be his coach this summer? he needs the practice, conditioning and footwork. if not he's primed to be the next Olowokandi. i dont care if it's in portland, columbus, OH or Antarctica.
Barrett was on The Game this morning saying that Bill Bayno will go out there to work with Oden, as will Bobby Medina. Also Nate was on Courtside last night saying that he plans to visit Oden at least a couple times this summer. -Pop
I think everything I feel about Greg Oden and this topic can be summarized in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc&feature=PlayList&p=A2C58CDFF32FA25C&index=0&playnext=1
Perfectly said... I have no problem where he goes or how he does it just as long as he comes back in mental shape, cardio shape, has lost weight, gained explosivesness and worked on his post moves and footwork... other than that enjoy school....
Oden is perfectly within his rights to do what he is doing. And if he shows up next season and shows little to no improvement - the fans are perfectly within their rights to flay him for it.
exactly.. nicely said. "IF he comes back and shows little to no improvement" It doesnt do people any good to get into a frenzy over it right now.
I don't care what he does, where he goes or whatever as long as by next year he is... 1. In shape 2. Lost weight and is looking like his old college self 3. Greatly improved his footwork and all that.
