I hope that this isn't actually an accurate reflection of what Roy needs from Oden to integrate him into the team: They're professionals. They're not school chums or fraternity brothers. Ed O.
Yeah, but they're all young guys barely old enough to be out of college (if that) and they aren't robots. The trouble is all of these guys are still trying to fit and find out what they are in this league (yes even Brandon). This is one of the reasons you see so few teams assembled through the draft and kept together; it's tough for lots of guys to reach their full individual potential simultaneously.
Has anybody else noticed a change in Oden's attitude since the Canzano article a few weeks ago questioning his will/desire? He seems real flippant. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It might be good. He's obviously tired of hearing/reading about his poor play, questionable desire, recluse personality, and that he's injury prone. A lot of "I can't do anything right" kind of stuff he sputtering out recently. Almost criticizing our City ("it's like High School) I'm cool with it if he comes back with a chip on his shoulder that motivates him. I'm also worried all this criticism is alienating him. Geez, I can't pull myself away from Greg Oden News - it's like a soap opera. The team is playing great w/o him. God forbid Joel goes down though. Then we're screwed.
I'm not sure what 'flippity' means, but if it's close to 'chippy' and 'pissy' then I take that as a positive development; mad=good, sad=bad.
Hopefully, Oden has stopped caring what people think of him and just focuses on working as hard as he can, enjoying himself when he's off the clock and letting the chips fall where they may. Well, "chips" may have been the wrong choice of words...