There's a poll for this at O-Live and surprisingly, to me, most people want Oden to come off the bench. You?
You forgot the third option, which is: "doesn't matter, both guys will be playing about the same amount of minutes"
Nope. It's definitely Yes or No. I say Yes. That's our future and I want to him to get used to starting now. The other side of the coin is that he can dominate second units and, with bench minutes, doesn't have to worry about foul trouble as much.
I've got yes, but I'm not sure it matters, as Nik said. Oden will play as many minutes as fouls will allow. Pryzbilla will play the rest.
Right now we're playing well with Oden off the bench. He doesn't have the pressure on him and gives us a little O off the bench and a lot of D. The bench needs him more than the starters do. Plus he'll still put in as many mins as fouls allow him to play and may not get as many fouls this way. Of course eventually he'll be starting, but maybe not this year.
I like him on the bench right now, and I will probably like it throughout the playoffs too. They're gearing up for the post-season, and the first unit has been playing with Joel (who's been playing very well) and I think they ought to keep that cohesion going. I don't want the pressure of Greg's potential issues to slow down this team's momentum. It's not as big of a deal when he comes off of the bench. Greg will start next year for sure.
This could create a time paradox, the results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space time continuum, and destroy the entire universe!
Aw damn, I forgot! Should've known that. I can't wait til 2015 though for when I can get my Nikes with power laces, and Michael Jackson taking my order at the local cafe.
In the last few games Oden has done very well coming off the bench, and I think it will help build his confidence and hopefully get him into game shape before the playoffs. We'll need him healthy and in shape for the first round.
since the blazers don't really go to oden early on offense when he does start, i think for the remainder of this year he may be better served coming off the bench. he's going to be splitting the center minutes with joel anyway, and it may be easier for the team to get him involved early on in the game for him if he's coming in the game in the 6-8th minute range when the starters have already been established and oden can get his turn on offense instead of oden not being utilized and risk him getting in foul trouble before he really ever has a chance to get going.
