Why is this so hard for our team to realize? Is it the coach not knowing how to design plays to take advantage of it? Is it the players just wanting to get theirs? I have my opinion, but I wanted to hear everyone else too.
Im with you on this one MM. I wish once, just once (and the Clipper game last night was the perfect opportunity for this) they would pound the ball down to Oden over and over and over and over and over till the other team either broke or was forced to constantly double team him. For a team that loves the jump shot this would open up things up so much that I could go out there and hit wide open jumpers. I think they would have had to tripple team Oden last night at times. I love Roy and he did his thing (and saved our asses) last night but it would make things so much easier for him and everyone else to pound it inside to open things up. Im hoping that the reason that we arent doing this is because we are still "bringing Oden along slowly" cuz if they cant see it and even average fans can then this will become a problem at some point.
I agree. And the thing is, Greg is a pretty good passer, and if anything is too willing to pass out of the post. So it's not like he's a black hole. If we want to play like San Antonio, which this team was pretty much modeled after, this is a fundamental element we need to change.
I might get crucified for this but here goes: Does Roy have an Alpha Dog complex? Yes I know he is the most unselfish guy on the team. He wants to win. But there isn't anybody on the roster that can challenge him to be the face of the franchise other than Oden. Nevermind, I'm smoking crack. Roy was getting his anytime he wanted last night. Roy isn't the only guy that doesn't look Oden's way. It's gotta be Nate and his philosophy. Maybe they just want to get Oden comfortable before they ask him to do too much. They have been babying him ever since the knee surgery.
I think last night was about perfect. Maybe 2-3 times more, but offenses become stagnant IMO when you are "dumping the ball" into the post. Turn overs increase. Greg does best when he does not dribble. Attack the basket and hit him while he is moving towards the basket. Alley oops are perfect. Sure you can throw the ball to him more, but I would not over do it. Sergio, Rudy, and Bayless all did it well last night. I really loved Sergio's game last night. He was very patient.
2-3 times more only gives him 5 for the game. The rest he gets himself on offensive rebounds. The ball needs to go into Greg 10 times a game. Within the offense and off of rebounds that would put him around 12 shot attempts for the game. Still not enough IMO
With our jump shooting and GO's ability to pass out of the post, I had hoped we would develop the kind of inside-out game Houston had with Olajuwon. They'd throw the ball into him and either he'd have an easy score or they'd collapse on him and he'd find the open man for the wide open J. I'm really hoping this is just baby steps with Greg and he'll get to be a bigger part of the offense. He seems to feed off of a good start.
The guy I had the most problems with last night was Batum. Over and over again the blew not throwing Greg the ball when he reposted.
I bet Oden got between 15-20 touches last night, and I've always thought 20-25 was a good number. You know within 1 second if Greg would rather take the ball to the hoop or kick it back out, and it appears defenses are getting better at seeing that to. Teams show a double team, them retreat, and usually that's enough to get him to pick the ball up. I think as time goes on, he'll improve this, and force teams to actually commit a double team.
HAHA, good thing I read the thread before posting because I have been calling for a Rudy T type offense for some time now. Oden is a wonderful passer out of the post. Nearly all of our guys can nail the outside shot. Work from the inside out, please.
That doesn't help him develop his offensive game. He can already dunk the ball fine when given the ball going to the hoop. What makes a big man hugely valuable is an ability to create offense out of the post. It leads to points in the paint, fouls on the other team and collapsed defenses which allows open cutters and jump-shooters. Oden has the ability to be a force out of the post, but he needs experience to hone that difficult part of the game. Avoiding giving him those chances and only giving him the "low-hanging fruit" opportunities won't help him develop.
I agree. He is more like a young Ewing without the jump shot. Let's put it this way. Would you ever consider nicknaming him "The Dream".
I believe in Greg Oden more than most. However I'm also realistic in his development, these "out-of-post" skills you describe will only be crafted during the summer off-season with some hard work. But then Look Out!
I was actually surprised Oden didnt have a career game last night. His stats were respectable/great going into the half (13pts) but I think he only had 3 points in the 2nd half. It looked like when he had his chances he produced. One thing I want to add...Being so close to the game last night I was truly able to see how big NBA players were in person and in comparison to each other. Greg Oden almost has the same build as Brian Skinner, just slightly bigger arms. It just made me realize how much size will get you on an equal playing field but you actually have to be great to be great (lol). Oden's gonna have to earn everything he gets.
Portland is usually a few possessions away from winning or losing every game. Each possession is costly. Every game is a playoff game as far as I am concerned. No doubt he looks better every game and I am pumped about it. But don't force feed him outside the box just so he can practice in the game. That's what practice is for. Like I said they can increase it some , but don't over do it. Utilize his strengths not his current weakness. Go with your best offensive options, and right now Greg putting the ball on the floor still makes me nervous.
I'm not advocating feeding him the ball regardless of whether he can contribute positively. It's just that his efficiency numbers suggest that he's capable of a bigger role, and the facts that A. he draws double-teams in the post and B. he's a very good and willing passer, suggest to me that the team would benefit from dumping the ball into him more. Essentially, I don't think the team's offense would be worse getting the ball to Oden more, and it would have the added benefit of making him a better player as the season goes on, which would be a gain for the team later in the season and, hopefully, the playoffs.
