Granted, Przy is playing like a beast, but Oden must now come in with a run-n-gun second unit and try to find out where he fits. Oden looked like a shell of the guy I saw at Ohio State when playing against Shaq; part of me thinks it is because he is a pretty bright guy and must be wondering where and how he fits into this team. I wonder if his confidence is shot because Nate starts Przy over him. If he is dominating in practice, as we've been told more than a few times, then why isn't he starting? It is time to start Oden, Nate/KP. Babying him isn't working. Let him dominate, let him foul out, whatever. Just let him grow with the players he was drafted to play with.
I agree but it is hard for Nate to start him now with Joel playing so well. I was in the minority and wanted Nate to start Oden right away after he came back. At the most would be only 1-2 games off the bench. I didn't want to mess with him and where he fits in with the team and his confidence. Now I really doubt Nate starts him for quite a while.
I believe you have to earn the right to start. Joel is playing better right now. But I think Greg is slowly rounding his game into shape. I liked his hook shot last night. He just needs to stop picking up ticky tack fouls. If your are going to foul, take a guys freaking head off.
This whole starting /not starting thing seems over blown for Oden, Travis, and Rudy. All three play with the first and second units for for parts of the game. I can't see how it is hurting Greg.
Pryzbilla is shooting 82%. So, until Oden can shoot 83% or higher, he will not start. . In all seriousness, I agree, Oden should start based on his upside.
Oden should start and get minutes. He never had a chance to establish himself against Shaq. He could've played much better if he had the chance. Please Start Oden!!
If Oden was coming off the bench and getting Rudy-type minutes and consistently playing most of the fourth quarter, it would be easier for me to stomach. This 17mpg stuff is really starting to annoy.
This team is still being built for future title runs. Right now we are still barely a playoff team. The only way for Roy, Aldridge and Oden to get comfortable playing together is by playing together. Start Oden, and let them gel. Joel brings a lot to this team, but I'm not sure starting him over Greg is the difference between us making an missing the playoffs. All that being said, Nate is an idiot and will continue to bring Oden off the bench so he can watch his teammates jack up 3's all night
Nate made the right choice to bring Oden off the bench for a couple games, and I think the right choice is to now start him starting in this homestand vs teams that he should play well against. I think now is the time, but so far i'm in total agreement with Nate. And I really don't think it hurts Greg, and it actually raelly helped him, imo. He seems to have a problem between the ears, or did very early in the year. He seems more comfortable now, and it may be time... we aren't going to get far without Greg in the future... the future is NOW, imo. Good thread PapaG, you make good points. It IS time for Greg to not only practice, but play and build chemistry with that 1st unit and SPECIFICALLY Aldridge.
I was stunned when the color man for Phoenix said something like, "It's a matchup between Stoudemire and Aldridge, two of the NBA's best young power forwards." Huh? The first real matchup between Oden and Shaq, and they lead with that? Bringing Oden in off the bench has cut down the hype and eased off the pressure on him, and he's responded reasonably well. And Przybilla is playing out of his mind, so it's hard not to reward him with minutes. I'd really like to see Oden and Przybilla in there together for a few minutes. Maybe against a bigger team like the Lakers. Oden will start more than 40 games this year. I don't really mind whether it's 41 or 61, as long as we're getting this kind of productivity out of the center spot.
The problem with starting Oden, is his conditioning. He's not quite there yet. I'm not sure i'm sold on the coaching job this year either...
I remember reading or hearing an interview with Oden where he said he liked coming off the bench because he could see how Pryzbilla would start games. He basically got to see how Joel would defend the opposing center and it helped Greg get into the flow of the game.
Oden needs to get over that. It's not like we are talking about a player who can easily be replaced like Travis. Oden has the tools to be special, and he needs to be pushed to be that, not babied
Greg fits with the uptempo unit much better than with the starters. Roy's desire to hog the ball and stop the action is no help at all for Greg's full-speed-ahead game.
Then Greg needs to traded. If he can't play with the starters then deal him for someone who can. Either that or get a coach that can utilize Greg how he should be on offense with the first team.
Let it be. Oden does not yet have his game legs. As his comfort grows, so will his minutes. I predict that in almost every game Oden will collect at least 4 fouls. The longer it takes him to get to 4, the more minutes Nate will give him. iWatas
hell yes lets deal him for a starting poster with range out to 25 sentences. and a s2 gm draft pick. and cash.
