Merged: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this? / Oden and Bayless working out

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

Actually you have little, if any proof that the Blazers trainer/medical staff were responsible for any of the issues you listed above. From what I understand Greg did the bulk buildup on his own and got told to stop it, and as far as the multiple red flags, I highly doubt you know what red flags were and were not raised when the decision was made. Maybe at the time, there weren't any red flags, because he wasn't hurt.

 

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

That's great news! Randomly I was thinking about this yesterday; namely that it would be great for Jerryd to work out with Oden and light a serious fire under his ass. There's another win-win in this development, Jerryd gets to practice taking it hard to a shot blocking 7-footer and Greg can practice his lateral quickness and trying to avoid fouling the little guys he seems to get stuck guarding all of the time.

 

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

If only there was a way to ship Violet Palmer there so he can work on avoiding stupid refs blowing their whistle against him...

 

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

ba-dump ching!

 

B-Rex is going to Ohio to work out with Oden - Per Wheels at work

Was described in the first hour of the show during the segment where they gave out their game balls That can only be a good thing for both players, but more so for GO. Now if they could only perfect the pick and roll......

 

Re: B-Rex is going to Ohio to work out with Oden - Per Wheels at work

good to hear!

BTW, Haseem Thabeet was at the gym I was at working out I guess tonight.

 

I think Oden comes back and dominates next year. I really do. It never even occurred to me that Oden wouldn't be allowed to do squats until now. So not only did he balloon up to 300 LBs, probably the heaviest he's ever been by a huge margin, he didn't have the leg strength to carry it, explaining a lot of the stumbling and clumsiness. All of that and then not playing basketball for a year while being a rookie, and you know what, Oden really wasn't half bad last year.

When you really take a step back and look at the whole picture and realize everything Oden had to overcome, I think it's a little remarkable. He still made the Blazers a better team while being maybe 70% of his normal self.

 

Bayless has picked the right guy to get behind if he wants to stay on this team.

Also, there is no news yet about a possible one-on-one basketball coach for Oden?

 

I definitely like the idea of the possible future point guard working out with the present and future center, developing familiarity and chemistry. The point guard-center relationship is a pretty important one...someone is going to have to get Oden the ball.

 

I remember reading a few articles between Jason Quick and Ben from Blazersedge.com, where it was mentioned that Jerryd and Greg are each others BFF on the team. Personally, I think the two have a lot in common by failing to live up to their own and others' high expectations their rookie season -- there's probably an element of misery loving company there.

Whatever the motivation for their friendship and for Jerryd deciding to go hang out in Columbus for a little while I think it's a great way for those two to get comfortable playing together and when you have a work out partner with a maniacal work ethic like Jerryd's it can do nothing but push Greg to work harder.

Anything that makes it more likely for a Blazers point guard to get Greg involved in the offense and pushes him to work harder is fine by me.

 

I hope Greg comes back to Portland in September and starts doing some hard core skill training. I also hope he comes back with massively strong legs.

 

My man crush on Bayless went up a little bit.
This is exactly the reason why he will be a great player in the NBA; Drive.
He just wants it more than everyone else. I am so glad he is working out with Greg and pushing him too.
Fuck Rubio. Fuck Conley. Fuck Sessions.
JB is the future backcourt mate to Roy.

 

Great news. And I love that it's Jerryd that's going. I really want Bayless to work out and be that backcourt mate with Brandon. His nastiness and take no shit attitude would be great come playoff time.

 

Re: Anyone else raise some eyebrows over this?

Exactly what happened. The only "red flag" I remember reading about what his leg that is 1.5" shorter than the other.

But, since everyone knows GO was overweight (not just body fat, but extra upper body muscle too) and had not been doing explosive lower body training, like squats, it gives me a HUGE boost in confidence that GO will show tons of improvement and look like the dominator we drafted.

 

This is great news! I didn't know Bayrex was going with him. He is a total gym rat and hopefully will push Greg and make him tougher.

 

On "Talking Ball" three weeks ago, Dean Demopoulos said Oden does not need a 1:1 coach. I know that won't be a popular response with most people, but I agree with him. He said Greg needs to work on the basic fundamentals and he believes between him, Nate, Monty, and the rest of the coaching staff, there is plenty of knowledge there.

Once Greg gets to the point where he has the basics down, then we can hire a big man coach such as Alonzo, Ewing, etc. Until then, I think Bano will do a fine job.

He did mention that they would be willing to pay a big guy to practice / "bang" against him over the summer. That's really what he needs is someone to simulate an NBA center. A 7'0", 45-60 year old big man coach, won't be strong enough or quick enough to duplicate anything Greg will see on a night to night basis.

 

But someone like Steven Hill, who they had in camp to beat on Greg last year won't be good enough to duplicate anything he will see on a nightly basis. At least someone like Ewing for Orlando could show him some tricks that he can use, and that will be used against him.

Seeing Greg in constant foul trouble, and getting far too many offensive fouls for using his arms showed me we need a real big man coach. Bayno, Williams, DD and Nate know much less about how to bang and use tricks in the post than someone like Mourning or even Kermitt Washington.

 

You don't think Nate ever heard the posts talking about tricks the post players would use? Same with Mo Lucus? I don't think Greg is to the point where he needs to worry about "tricks" or "advanced moves", I think it's basic principles that we, the average fan, can clearly see is holding him back.

I bet you Steven Hill would duplicate the average speed and strength of an NBA center better than Buck Williams. Greg could even blow by Buck Williams.

 

If Greg improves his explosiveness/power and regains his athleticism, EVERYTHING improves. I agree he doesnt need a 1-on-1 coach at this point. He needs to get back in shape and work on fundamentals. Polish him next year.