For all those wondering where the fun loving kid went, the blame is on we fans who analyze every fucking move and play Dr. Phil. If you want to explore someone's psyche, go watch Oprah. This is sports.
Well gee guys, if you're that pissed, the Bulls will happily give you anyone not named Derrick Rose for him. Yesterday.
Nate needs to tell Oden tonight to go out there and play like it was high school all over again. Don't care, just have fun and if he fouls out in 5 minutes, GREAT!! We have Joel to back him up. Greg needs to have fun and doing that is not overthinking every flipping play!!
Commenting on an obvious difference in demeanor seems like a legit topic to me. Oden even commented on it in the latest Quick piece. Should Oden watch Oprah as well?
I know what you're saying. But I did see him get mad last night, at himself, after he missed a shot which Aldridge luckily cleaned up. He slapped his hands and said something, looked pretty frustrated. But as far as getting mad in general and being more animated, he kind of reminds me of myself. I just had a stoic face when I played and apparently gave off the impression I was never trying my hardest, even though I was. Some of my teammates would poke fun at that, but it wasn't serious because whatever I was doing worked. When I was in the game, I was focused on what I needed to do. I hated making mistakes in front of a lot of people and put a ton of pressure on myself. Making sure I smiled and reacted wildly to every call wasn't really a concern of mine. I didn't want to make a fool of myself by getting pissed off, I was self-conscious about that. But on the inside my emotions were always pretty high. My experience doesn't hold a candle to Oden's current situation. And I had two legs that had never been seriously injured and did all that I expected them too. And I was this way even my senior year when I was more comfortable, knew how to play with my teammates, etc. I see what everyone else does when it comes to Oden's body language, but this is how I interpret it. I see a guy scared shitless, not wanting to fuck up, but fucking up, and then becoming even more afraid to fuck up, making him even more hesitant. It's a viscious cycle. It has nothing to do with a lack of love for the game and not caring - I think he cares too much. That's my psychoanalysis. That'll be $300.
Bingo and that's why he needs a I don't give a SHIT game and just plays free. No judgement just hoops!