Considering that Greg played a whole season at Ohio State with a broken wrist, I consider most of this moot. I still believe that the problems are within the Blazer locker room, and not what folks are discussing here. The Blazer media may try to seem like nothing is wrong, but something is wrong. I have a feeling that Greg not playing, has more to do with that, then any injury.
I have watched games all year long with situations where Greg gets open, and guy look right at him and never throw him the ball, and reverse it to the other side of the floor. They look straight at him, and many of these times, he has been alone, wide open for an easy score. There is no reason for that to happen, unless players are freezing him out of the offense. It was similar to stuff I saw going on between Eric Gordon and Baron Davis with the Clippers in several games I have seen them play lately. Something is not right. Another sign for me that something was not right is the fact that when Greg went out with the injury, the Blazers immediately started feeding the post much more often. Pryzbilla has horrible hands, and is a horrible finisher in the scheme of talent. Yet the Blazers were throwing it to him much more often then Greg has been fed all year long. I am not the only one who noticed this, many people I talk Blazers with noticed it immediately as well.
If Oden had gone with the 25th pick no one would care if he sat out till next season. BUT...He went #1 and this attention is to be expected positive or negative. A once in decade center is a double edge sword. So those who are asking these questions have every right! If Shaq was a dud in his second season, he'd be getting the same attention, as would Hakeem, Patrick, Zo, Dwight and on and on.... What I question isn't to do with his physical injuries, but his lack of mental emotion that is void every game he's played except for maybe 3. At some point either put on the cape or don't be offended if you're only refered to as Mr. Kent!
I don't expect Greg to win us a championship this year, far from it! At the same time I want him to show emotion, and realize there is a responsibility with being the #1 pick. There is a happy medium!
I will tell you what would happen with Durant. Last year he would have played about 10 minutes a game, maybe 15 on the outside. He had Martell, Outlaw and Jones ahead of him on the rotation. Nate worships his rotation, so no matter how well he played he wouldn't get in the games more then that. This year, he probably would start. However, he would be at best the third option on the floor, instead of the first option like he is OKC. I would figure he would average about half of what he does now. This isn't a knock against Durant, just more how Nate has worked in the past. And before you bring up Roy remember that Nate knew him for a long time. Also, there wasn't anyone else on the team to take his place in the rotation so he kind of started by default. Anyway, Portland would be about 10 more points from the SF position, but worse defense. Maybe 2 more wins? Not much more then that. One thing I have thought about a bit. Durant SUCKED under PJoke. He only really started to light it up after they kicked that fool to the curb. Perhaps Oden is in the same situation here?
Couldn't agree more. The fact we can't get an intro pass to Greg kills me! The fact our guards don't look for him kills me the most!
You "fans" are fucking crazy. Jesus, it's embarrassing to be a Blazer fan sometimes with you whining lot. The body is a mystery. Stop pretending that if it's injury X it's recovery time Y.
So you're saying a guy who misses dunks, get offensive fouls when getting position, and admits he isn't ready to be a primary member of the "Big 3" is sitting out in some sort of protest? Really??? You also feel his teammates are freezing him out? Wow.
Lighten up, Francis. It was a joke. The and the smilies are a sign that the post was meant in good fun.
Trade Oden to LA for Luke Walton. He can back up Bynum. Walton can be Portland's SF of the future ahead of Outlaw/Batum, be Pippen to Roy's Jordan. Yes.
Why would LA give up Walton? Oden's going to be cut soon, and I doubt there will be much demand for his services. In fact, if LA will take Oden and his #1 pick salary off Portland's hands, Portland will take two bad contracts off LA's hands, Bynum and Kobe, in exchange for expiring deals. And you get to keep Walton. Can't say fairer'n'that.
