It's a fair question. He took Duckworth, a second round pick, and turned him into a 2 time all-star. You have to give him some credit for that. He did OK developing Miller in Sac-Town (after the Bulls gave up on him), and Webber played his best *team* ball for Adelman. I would argue that guys like Duncan or KG or Shaq are going to "develop" for most coaches. I am more impressed that Adelamn took less talented guys (Miller, Duck, Uncle Cliffie) and got the most possible out of them.
I imagine Oden will continue to get more touches as he becomes a mismatch against more players, or in other words, when he further develops his offensive game. It's not like Oden only gets 2 shots in every game. Some nights, he has shown why he will be an All-Star. On other nights, he shows why he isn't yet ready to be the focus of the offense. I'm getting criticized, but I'm not the one advocating throwing things at him that he may not be ready for. We're not in the locker room, the team is winning, Oden is a work in progress. I'm fine with that scenario at this point.
There are 3 over-lapping problems: Nate's offense, the play of the PGs, and Oden's own shortcomings. Some of you are quick to blame Nate....but I believe he is playing the hand he has been dealt. Blake is only a "PG" in the Steve Kerr designated shooter mold. Sergio is (frankly) over-rated by some of you. He may look spectacular on the break, but he is really that good in the half-court? Bayless hasn't played enough to make a fair judgement. Our best hope (barring a trade) is that Roy and Rudy are smart enough to learn to get the ball into the post at the right time and place. The fact that we have to rely n our SGs to fill that role, should be a red flag. But hey......we don't need an upgrade at the PG.....just let that cake bake.
Duck wasn't the primary scorer, and neither was Miller, although Miller did become a very good center, albeit a center who plays a completely different and a more perimeter orientated game than Oden. What I am trying to figure out is, outside of Shaq, what other dominant center in the past 25 years is/was strictly a back-to-the-basket player. Oden is zero threat at this point if he gets the ball in an offensive set facing the basket. Is the idea to just post him up every time, assume the double, and then rotate the ball for perimeter shots? How does that help Oden's game evolve?
The "you" wasn't the singular you, MrJ. No worries...it was my fault for writing a post that responded to multiples at once and didn't clarify. The part about yours was more in the irony that you brought up Howard's name, since I'd looked at Howard's stats before in comparison with where Greg was in regards to a young center progressing. That's it.
You may be, but others are not. That is where the differences come into play. And I agree w/ the others that he is being under-utilized on the offensive end. Well then, i'm sorry as well for getting upset.
That's fair. I just don't see how my differing opinion means I "don't know basketball", as others have posted.
I think you know basketball! I just don't agree on how we get our center to the place he needs to be most effective. I think Nate's approach will kill his confidence and thus make him Kwame if changes aren't made in a hurry! This kid is used to being THE MAN!!!! Nate has made him into a 4 or 5 option. I think Nate needs a Psych. class, cause he's missing the signs all over Odens face! If this kid loses his confidence, his game is gone too!
I can definitely see your side as well. I think you may be a bit extreme in how you want Oden used, but I'm not against getting him more involved in the offense. I suppose the succession of "fire Nate" posts earlier in the thread made my posts a bit more rigid than they may otherwise have been. Anyhow, go Blazers!
