I too am expecting a huge year from Greg this season. I understand people's skepticism, I just don't share it.
The #'s he put up were good, but the L's the team put up were not good. 3-4 in those 7 games, including 2 @ home, sucked. His line: 15.5 ppg, 9.1 boards and 2.4 blocks in 26 minutes. Per 36: 21 ppg, 12.6 boards and 3.3 blocks. I'd take that from him now.
Ya, the losses came at a time when Nate was still confused about Dre, and Brandon didn't know how to play SF. GO did fairly well though. He was the lone bright spot on the team, and was gaining confidence by the game. What's most alarming about those numbers is the fouls. He didn't foul out once. AKA, Nate effectively fouled him out, by benching him too long to prevent him from picking up his 6th. (if that makes any sense)
I've said that before, also. Limiting his minutes to prevent him from fouling out is effectively fouling him out early. I'd rather see Oden foul out and not leave minutes on the table. And, hopefully, start learning not to foul so much so he doesn't end up fouling out, or risking it every night, playing normal starter minutes.
Loving that FT%. Kind of forgot he was such a good FT shooter for a big man. Fuck, this dude could be flat out unstoppable if he stayed healthy and stayed on the court. You can't hack-a-shaq him. You can't push him. You can't block him. God damnit. Please, Greg, bring us your most beastly abilities. Deliver. You will make us so damn good.
just for reference here's the average stats from the 3 times those two have matched up since they came into the league Noah 19.3 Min, 4.7 Pnts, 54FG%, 0.7 FTM@ 50%, 5 Rbnds, 1 Blk, 4.7 fouls Oden 23.3 Min, 17.3 Pts, 68FG%, 7.3 FTM@ 81%, 11.7 Rbs, 2Blk, 3.7 fouls 11-19-2008 Portland W 116-74 01-12-2009 Portland W 109-95 11-23-2009 Portland W 122-98 STOMP
