I'd consider "disappointment" to be a realistic barometer for next year. Mostly, I'd like to see him play a high % of games, almost regardless of his stats. I think IF he's healthy (and playing in Portland), the #'s will come whenever he's ready. But my preference is that he just plays games, and is healthy.
I just can't get myself excited about Oden's return because I just don't believe or trust he'lll stay uninjured for long, and now I have to add to that the possibility he leaves and if we keep him we'll have to likely offer a lot dollars, and then we could have the "luxury" of paying him 8.8 mil next yar while he may still be rehabbing and then he can leave next summer - LOL it's just a big fukkin joke. I think I'm just worn out by all the disappointment. "Numb" about Oden probably says it best for me
My view Oden is quite simple. If he can stay on the court, I'll be thrilled. I can't bring myself to put any more hope than that in the guy at this point. Anything that he can give on the court is a positive to me, just so long as I never again have to get gutpunched by hearing the terms "exploratory surgery", "microfracture", and "timeframe" associated with Greg's name. Most players can be frustrating because of inconsistent play on the court. We, as fans, haven't really even been given that rollercoaster ride of player development with Oden. I think that attaching numbers like 8/8 to his name and labeling it a "disappointment" may be one reason that Greg may want a fresh start somewhere else. In Portland, he'll always be compared to Sam Bowie and Kevin Durant, by association as the #1 overall pick for the franchise, and the key to winning an NBA championship. In another city, he won't carry the burden of those expectations, and he could settle into a more realistic role, whatever that may be, given his injury history and time off of the court.
Well papa that would completely suck. I, for one, still have a ton of faith that oden will be able to make a significant contribution to this ball club. I actually think the injuries will slow him down a little; which will help with his foul troubles. I remembered him trying to rush things too much; which caused him to get into foul trouble. What these injuries taught him, the blazers and oden is patience. If it can be somehow applied on the court; we should be in very good shape. I think oden himself would think 8/8/1 would be a disappointment. I except him to have a much higher standard for himself.
Greg's own expectations are just that ... his own. I hope he stays in Portland for 10 more years and has a HoF career. Whether that happens has nothing to do with my expectations for him. I think it's fine that people still want to have MVP-level expectations for him to some degree. I just need to take a more cautious approach, for my own sanity as a Blazer fan.
True, but I don't think 15/13/2 is MVP standards. I think that's what a perfect "role playing" big man should be at. Now if we are talking about 25/13/2, then that would be MVP standards. In fact, I think Oden should be at least a double double guy with 2 blocks a game.
Although those numbers (10 PPG, 10 RPG and 2 BPG) may not blow people away, only two players in the entire NBA averaged a double double with at least 2 BPG this season - Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut. Honestly, in his first season back from microfracture surgery, I'd be happy with 10/10/2 and would be ecstatic with 14/11/2.5. It will take Greg quite a while to play himself into game shape, get used to his teammates and get used to to the speed of the NBA game. I suspect his reactions will be slow for a couple months, which will result in foul trouble and limited playing time. If he can ever get an extended stretch of at least three months without injury, I think we'll finally start to see the real Greg Oden. BNM
I think I would be even more ecstatic if he was putting up 8/14/2.5 than 14/11/2.5. My reason would be mainly he would be a defensive monster! As much as I am a fan of offense; I think defense in the paint is even more important. Also, the offense could come in time just like you said.
I have a hard time putting a raw numbers expectation on Oden, because even if he stays healthy, I'm not sure whether, or how much, he will solve the foul issues. So minutes per game is a pretty difficult to pin down variable. I expect a lot out of him, if healthy, on a per-minute basis. His career PER, which spans one full season of play combined, is about 20. That's All Star caliber. In addition, he plays great defense...he completely changes the team's complexion, defensively. Combining the two, you have a major impact player in the minutes he's played thus far in the NBA. I would expect that to continue...a 20+ PER with great defense. His counting stats will depend on minutes played which, due to health and fouls, I really have no way to predict.
