PapaG, I think that what you see as his ineffectiveness or not being ready against non-donut teams is almost a misuse. I mean, we saw yesterday that even against the donut guys he still was awkward with the righty hook, and looked a little off in his footwork when he stopped, set, and initiated a play (other than the Gadzuric flop, iirc). When he wasn't really thinking--when he was cutting through the lane, or (heaven forbid) bringing the ball up after a steal -- he was almost fluid, and just made things happen underneath. I really think it's the issue that most of our offensive sets have...that we give time to the defense to set and reset, and then it's our strength vs their strength (or in Greg's case, his baby steps against a legit NBA post defender or two). But when there's a lot of motion, Greg's cutting, or following Sergio to the hole, or dropping behind his man to position for the rebound dunk--that's when he's effective. The defense is on its heels. And the more he does that (against ANY competition), the better he'll be.
I hope Oden becomes a 20/10 player. At this point of his development, however, it's only when he is physically dominant over the opposing player that he is a plus on offense, both in the post and in the scenario you describe. What I'd like to see from him is consistent rebounding and defense in games where he is a minus on offense. That's the next key to his development IMO. It seems at times as though he gets discouraged when he can't just impose his will on the block. I'm not at all saying Oden can't be effective at all times. I just strongly disagree with the camp who wants to force-feed the guy the ball in the post no matter who the oppenent is. Is there another team in the league who does that for any low-post player, rookie or All-Star?
I'd say that, just off the top of my head, K*be and CP3 get Bynum and Chandler the ball where they can be effective with it, not just dump it to them on the block. If the "dump to the block where he's back to the basket" is what you're talking about force-feeding, I kind of agree, though he already shows really good passing instincts. But in terms of hitting him when he's running through the paint more than once a game...giving it to him on set plays out of timeouts or something, yeah...I think he needs some touches. Not SHOTS, necessarily...touches.
I've mentioned this in other threads, but Oden could get the ball, open, at the FT line almost anytime the team wants to do so. The problem is that the defender sags off 5', and for whatever reason Oden won't shoot a 15' FT line shot while wide open. So the possession stalls, usually a shot is rushed, and there is nobody underneath to get an offensive rebound. If Oden could hit a 15' shot, or even take one, I think we'd all see him used in a much different manner. Is it Nate's fault or the guards' fault that Oden hasn't developed to the point where he is a threat offensively at the FT line extended?
I just don't think he's comfortable taking a jump shot yet. I don't think it's anyone's fault. I think he's taken like two jump shots all season, and they both went in. I agree that he needs to become a scoring threat from 10-12 feet away from the hoop, and at least try a jumper once a game. He's got good form and he needs to show it.
Yep, and again, I'm not criticizing Oden, but rather commenting on where I see room for improvement. Greg passing up those open shots does hurt the offense at this point, so either remove him from getting the ball in that position or encourage him to shoot an open 14' shot.
God no... the last thing this team needs is another jump shooting big man. I've had enough of it with Frye and LMA.... at least Aldridge can hit the shots, but we need a banger in there. We need a guy who owns the paint. That's the whole attraction of Oden. He's a true center.
one of these days when we are woopin some teams ass i want to see either joel or greg take a damn 3.... just to see it done
Can it look much goofier than this? [video=youtube;BXvxgmUk5e0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXvxgmUk5e0[/video]
He isn't Keyshawn Johnson. He is Greg Oden. And because he is we should give him the damn ball, dammit.
"They (my teammates) were getting me the ball in a good spot to score." That's what was different. ANYBODY can just get him the ball.
In the immortal words of Oscar Robertson to Jerry Lucas: "if you want the ball, get it off the backboard."
Okay, I'm going back and forth too much between the OT board and here. I thought the thread title said OBAMA wants the damn ball!
how many guys in the league is oden not physically dominant over? the reality is that oden needs to be getting a lot of touches on the offensive end. and like someone else said, that doesn't mean that the idea is for him to get a shot every time down the court. just passing him the ball in the post forces the opposing defense to react and open up a lot of other options for the offense.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RLcP-mqWO-Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RLcP-mqWO-Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> that's how you get the ball
Agreed 100%. He draws doubles, and his passing has been very very good. I find it weird that he's struggled much more with basic things (not traveling RIGHT at the basket, getting his dunks blocked, even his free throw shooting) than he has with more difficult aspects of the game like reading doubles and kicking it out or establishing good position on the post. Hopefully those "easy" things will come to him... when they do he's going to be a total beast. Ed O.
This is how a REAL center shoots the 3: [video=youtube;D9er4tsG138]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9er4tsG138[/video] [video=youtube;fdlB8tX75Mc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdlB8tX75Mc[/video]
Hahah, Sabonis ftw. He's such a badass Also lol @ Stacey Augmon grasping his head when he let it go, as if there was any doubt! ...except he didn't get the ball. ;p
