Besides, you know he is getting a lot of action at Ohio State. I bet there is a reason he is heading back there!
I voted for the "quick break" because I really think he needs to get his head straight and to do that he probably needs to get away from the microscope that living in Portland can be. But he's really setting himself up for massive criticism if he comes back next year and it appears (whether true or not) that he hasn't taken enough time to work on his game. I'm with Mike Rice (from last night's Courtside), he's got fifty years to earn a degree but maybe 10+ to play hoops ... I hope this decision doesn't bite him and the team in the ass.
"Hey Boss... I know you have millions invested in me and the future of the franchise is riding on me.. I also know that I have been really underperfoming and you guys have done just about everything I could ask for to help nurture me along .. but I don't really want to stick around and work on my game this off season, I'd rather go enroll in Dental school and chase tail around campus all summer. I'll work on basketball next year."
Where is the "Yes" answer? Just a simple "Yes" for me. I'm not questioning his love of the game, but yes, I am upset that he's going to go to school instead of working on his real job.
This. Oden needs to work on his game no matter where he is. If he chooses not to and shows up into camp with little to no improvement, then I will be livid.
I'd rather have him getting his balls waxed in Ohio than risking injury on a team preparing for a meaningless international tournament...
I fall into the category that as long as GO comes back improved, then all is forgotten. But damn, you come to a city that throws you a huge welcome party, sit out a year with management being as cool as possibly can be, get paid for a year to rehab, come back the next year and by most accounts (excepts minstrels) you have a disappointing year . . . is a summer with the organization (to develop quicker and help this team reach a championship) too much to ask?
His fouls were disappointing because they limited his minutes. His play when he was on the court wasn't at all disappointing for a rookie center, especially one who had to sit out a year (18 PER, one of the top Rebound Rates in the game, good defense). I'm hardly the only one who's pointed this out.
Yes, because he played so little. I think if he had been able to play 30+ minutes a game, his impact would have approximated what people were hoping for. If he had been crap when on the floor, I'd be extremely worried. That his impact was limited due to fouls keeping him off the floor worries me a lot less, because I don't anticipate that being a problem long-term.
this is true. oden wasn't disappointing during his time on the court(unless you had ridiculous expectations). it's the amount of time he spent on the court that was disappointing. going to ohio state over the summer is no problem at all. guys do it all the time. oden will be working out there, will have trainers there, will likely have blazers staff there, and will have guys to workout against. going to summer school isn't going to get in the way of him working out.
Oden's disappointment, for me, is that he was slower footed than expected. He was not the monster 7 footer who was quick and agile . . . as he was advertized. So part of the disappointment was his inablility to stay on the court (it almost sounds like it's not his fault he wasn't getting more court time when in fact him not staying on the court because of his slow feet was one of the biggest disappointments) I still see Oden as part of the big three, it just looks like the development stage will be longer than expected . . . which is why I would like to see him give 100% dedication to learning the NBA game (and how not to foul) this summer. But whatever, Blazers need the big guy, so whatever floats his boat works for me . . .just come ready to help the team win.
Agreed it would have been nice to see the pre-surgery Oden, but I wasn't disappointed because I kind of expected him to have a down year athletically; all you had to do was look at Amare' or even Zach their first year back -- and they had the benefit of already having played in the NBA.
Wasn't Oden showing this to be more of a problem in summer league . . . I can't recall another player picking up fouls the way he did in summer league (pre-surgery). But yes, post surgery, you can't expect him to be quicker or as quick as he was pre-surgery. That is why I was hoping he would stay around this summer . . . I figured he might finally be athletically back and now is the time for him to work on his timing and foot work. Again, as long as he works on it and comes back improved . .. it's all good.
1. It's his vacation, he can spend it how he pleases. 2. Past history suggests many players benefit professionally from both an extended absence from Nate's controlling/stifling presence and a reuniting with friends, coaches and old training routines. It has worked well for Joel, Travis and Sergio.
What if he works on his game with Blazer coaches/trainers in Ohio for most of the summer, shows up in shape, yet doesn't improve by leaps and bounds... will you still be livid? I'd be disappointed, but at least I could enjoy a chuckle at the expense of the The city of Portland doesn't have some magical quality that makes skills improvement easier then other places. Most players do not train during the off season in the city they represent and I see little reason that Greg should be held to some different standard. STOMP
I have a little bit of heartache with it. While I have no problem with a quick visit home, he needs to realize he now works for a living and that work requires him to be at his best for a team. A team that depends on him. He had a sub par year and he needs to dramatically improve. If that can be best accomplished in Ohio, so be it. If not, then get your fanny back here and get to work.
I'm not at all upset. Education comes first and Oden already sacrificed his education so he can play for us. Also, he misses home. If I grew up all my life In Portland and then got a job somewhere on the east coast, I'd want to spend my summer vacation with my friends and family back here. Oden also needs alot of rest because I don't think his knee is still fully healed from the micro-fracture. He also banged up his other knee this year and had bone chips, so the most important thing for him is REST. Oden needs to not think about basketball for like 3 months and just be happy. There was too much pressure put on him this season and it was not fair. I beleive once Oden realizes that basketball isn't everything in life, he will be more relaxed next year and in turn play much better.
