http://sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132638 Here's the link - judge for yourself. Post #6 regarding Article 8 of the CBA.
While I understand why he wants to go back and finish school, I think maybe Portland should look at a different approach for Greg. We should hire PJ Brown as a assistant coach to just work with Greg. He was known as a hard nose defender and had a great work ethic, plus he has gone through playoff battles and could offer something to this team. We could send him to Ohio to work with Greg several times a week after Greg has started school and can work with him after classes finish. Summer School won't go all summer. Why not add another assistant
It is outrageous that Houston fans were using the n-word against Martell and their security did not know what to do! What the hell are they there for? To keep fans from asking for autographs? What they should do is issue ONE warning and then throw those assholes out. Saying Martell took it well - please. This is not Jackie Robinson in 1948. He should not have to take it at all. I think the Blazers should lodge a complaint. Ribbing opposing players is part of the game, but there are lines that should not be crossed and it sounds like they were - a lot. PS, as for Oden, it sounds like he needs a bit of time off to clear his head. I'd say compromise; let him go to summer school but as soon as that ends (August or so) he should be back working. BTW, what about Mutumbo as a big man coach? He's out of a job at the moment.
I like the idea, but I'm not sure Greg does. I would love to have been a fly on the wall for the exit interview. So much of the future of this franchise rests on his shoulders. Did all of the criticism get to the guy? Keep in mind it wasn't just Portland. It was Bill Simmons (time after time), Charles Barkley, and others piling it on. I wonder where his heads at. I would like to think he wants to bust ass all summer and prove people wrong. Why is it that I'm not sure he feels that way? I actually thought about hiring a guy to work with him as well - not PJ Brown, but the idea of hiring someone to oversee Greg's workouts (both conditioning and on specific skills) But it sounds like (and I may be reading way too far between the lines) that Greg said he's got it all under control. He's going to head back to Ohio this summer, go to school, and workout with whomever he chooses. It sounds like he didn't leave the door open for the Blazers to suggest when, where, or who he works out with. Nate said he's going to fly out there a couple of times - almost sounds like it's to check on Greg and make sure he's doing what he needs to be doing. I really hope Greg comes back markedly improved next season. If he doesn't, and his conditioning isn't strong to boot there is going to be a lot of disgruntled fans in Portland. It's just a huge off season for the guy. Many people criticized him this year, but many also defended him saying 1) he's a rookie who sat out a year 2) he's coming off microfracture which takes two years and 3) he's only 20/21. I think even most of his supporters point to next season as his time to shine. If he doesn't, it's not going to be pretty for the guy. Meaning if he comes back the same guy we saw all of this season - the silly fouls, the poor conditioning, etc. All we need this guy to do is play defense and rebound, and give us SOME interior points. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he can average 13/14 ppg just based on his size and strength. Now if he improves in the post and can give us more? We're talking 60 wins a possibility. Our biggest offensive weakness is that we don't have a consistent low post threat. LA has his moments but he tends to drift out to the perimeter a lot. Man I hope something clicks in Greg - it really can mean the difference in whether we win a championship or we are a perenial also ran.
Sounds like a lot of pressure. If I were Greg, I'd want to escape that pressure. Why is Greg so different? Brandon is not staying in Portland. LMA is not staying in Portland. Travis "I could definitely use work on my game" Outlaw is not staying in Portland. I've been a crazy Blazer fan since 1986, and I've never heard any controversy about a player going back to his home town before. Give the guy some peace.
Greg's probably going to go on a stress relief trip. I would. The guy got fucked in the playoffs. and our offense did not flow through him as he expected. The guy needs to work on his footwork yet, but he also needs more touches to become more consistent. I think a break is exactly what he needs. Come back strong next season though Greg. The team is counting on that for sure.
I think GO is different because he was the number 1 pick who sat out a whole year, is coming off a potential career changing surgery and has not developed as most thought he would to this point. Blazers are taking about being a championship contender next year and wants GO to be part of the big 3 for this championship contender. This is an adult world where the big boys play. GO has been handled with kiddie golves ever since Blazers drafted him. I think it is time for the kid gloves to come off and for GO to be a man. Blazers have shown all kinds of patience with GO, and IMO, GO owes it to this organization to stay around and work on his game if that is what the organization wants. I know Blazers can't force him to stay in the off season, I was hoping GO would feel an obligation given the last two years. Oh well, I hope he comes back improved . . . and I think it sucks that the Blazers will follow him around like a puppy always adapting to his schedule . . . but again big picture is the Blazers need the big fellow and as long as he continues to improve, I'll turn my cheek to what at times can appear to be a lack of commitment from GO.
Flint, MI. I'm not IN England, but I am English. We might have crossed paths. I went to a conference in Oxford that Summer. I was also an undergraduate at St. Anne's College (ugly cement thing north of St. Giles between Banbury and Woodstock roads). Yes, "fanny" is slang for vagina in England. And Black Pudding is congealed blood sausage. Delicious fried for breakfast! (But, oddly enough, "pudding" in general means dessert - so you can "have ice cream for pudding". And as it says on The Wall, "How can you have any pudding if you won't eat your meat?") The cheese, beer and chocolate are world-beating, though. Or at least, much better than typical American fare. What was your pub of choice? Did you go punting?
I think we know Oden is willing to work hard. Last year, he was told to work out with weights since he couldn't take part in basketball-related activities. Now the team is saying that maybe he overdid it with weights and built up his upper body too much. So, Oden seems to be quite a hard worker, which is consistent with reports about him prior to the draft, that he was intelligent and had a great work ethic. So, I'm not that concerned. I think Oden will put in the work necessary to get into the best shape to play his game and to expand his game.
Considering he was monitored the majority of the time he was lifting weights I'm sure they could have stopped him at any time. The fact is that the best physical shape Greg has been in was when he was working out at Ohio State before he got to Portland. Perhaps a return there to work out with a personal trainer as well as old trainers (in addition to some Blazers coaches coming out) while going to summer classes isn't bad at all.
Yes, and that was a team suggestion. So I guess it's a perfect example that perhaps he shouldn't just do what the team recommends? I'm half-kidding, of course. I don't think he should blow off what the team wants from him. Nor do I think we should assume that not doing exactly as the team requests is bad. Ultimately, as an adult, he has to decide for himself and hopefully he makes the right decisions.
lamb roasts, cornishes, donners and meat pies are the best! Londons sucks! GO LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL FC! EVERTON!
I think Oden taking some time off is a good idea whether he was going to stay in Portland to workout or not. I wouldn't be surprised if that knee he hurt earlier in the season is still causing him some pain. Rest up the rest of May and hit it hard in June. Players make their biggest improvements in the off-season, and this off-season is really important for Oden. I do however question him working out at Ohio State. He didn't exactly come into training camp last year in great shape and honestly was never in great shape the whole season. Hopefully this works out though, or Greg will be subject to a lot of criticism that imo would be warranted. He's taking a risk here.
