My honest observation of Oden is that if he were healthy and used to his full potential, he would be one of the top centers in the game.
OMG, None of the things you list above offends me. I'll be the first to say that I don't know what will happen with Greg's health, but neither do you. What does offend me is that EVERY stink'n time someone says something positive about Greg, you feel the need to jump in with a dose of negativity...and want to argue about it. One of the sick things about these forums is that anyone can be obnoxious about their negative view for literally years, then if they are proved wrong, they can just say, "I'm sure glad I was wrong. Go team." Go Blazers
I guess I don't need some blog writer making blanket statements of how I, a fan, will and won't (should or shouldn't) judge Oden. First, we don't lack size, defense and rebounding (as claimed). We have this seven footer-plus who is an able defender, named Joel, who averages better than 8 boards a game and LA averaged 8 boards last season too. Second, the way I describe BUST is by comparing talent. The single theme of the draft that year was, "Is it Oden or is it Durant?" Compare the two, talent wise - then draw some conclusions using the word "bust". Thanks for the link. Good read - just not my kind of honest because the author draws conclusions (like we all do) and makes assumptions about Oden's future contributions. I still fear, we'll see 20 games, tops, out of Oden this year. Man, I hope he proves me wrong.
Oden could be greatest thing we never had! Kind of like the vintage sports car your grandfather restored and lets you admire through the garage door window. Something tells me Gramps will leave the keys lying around one day!
It's interesting that you say we can rely on Joel, but you fear we'll only get 20 games out of Oden. But Joel (a) had a more serious injury (that was made worse by falling in the shower), and (b) in HIS first years was at least as injury-prone as Oden, and looked like a total bust.
Not only did Oden miss a chuck of his FR year at OSU, he played in zero games his rookie year. Joel played in 33, then returned the following year to play in 71. Greg played in 21 games last season... It's possible I see Joel as more of a warrior with the ability and body to return from injury, given he played in 77 and 82 games, respectively, 07-09 seasons. Haven't Oden's injuries been everywhere - wrist, knee, knee cap, ankle, etc. - while Joel's have been more centralized?
What's the use of being negative? Sports (and watching sports) are supposed to be fun. If fans aren't going to have high hopes and be a little homerish, what is the point of sports as entertainment? Do you feel that you being negative will somehow make the team better?
Absolutely. Which tells me that Oden still has a chance to have a relatively long and productive career (however remote the possibility).
Do you feel being overly optimistic makes the team better? I've been supporting and following the Blazers since the 70's. I've found a realistic approach best. I didn't like the draft day decision to take Oden over Durant in the first place. I have my opinion, I share it, and other fans have their opinion - which I can respect, while disagreeing with. I'm not here to change anyones mind - just share and be a fan, like everyone else. I've stated in the past that for the sake of the team, I hope I'm wrong. I have no faith in Oden to live up to expectations or finish a season. The guy is broken.
Nothing we feel as fans will make the team better. That is the point. So why not have fun with something that is supposed to be fun? Best for what? Is your life really so boring that if the Blazers don't meet your expectations your life will feel empty? The downside to being optimistic, hoping for the best and having fun with the sport is very small or non-existent.
Actually I've always sort of figured that being realistic, pessimistic or optimistic usually has nothing do with team/player success or failure. Maybe I'm not believing "hard" enough?
I personally don't know anyone who feels that way. It's pretty clear that Oden has a ways to go on the offensive part of his game. Really?? Again, I don't know anyone who is convinced of this. How could they be, with his injury history?
Greg missed 7 games, and came back early. And then payed 32 games the next year and 17 the year after that.
What???? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. "Poor jumping style"??? "Improper muscle building"?? Are you serious?
over developed leg muscles can cause imbalance in your legs. If your thighs are too strong, and the muscles supporting your knee are underdeveloped, you can cause issues. Haven't you noticed that there are certain ways to jump that cause less stress and strain on the body? When Charles Barkley hurt his back (years ago), he found out that all this time he had been rebounding and pivoting to pass the ball wrong. It put undue stress on his spinal column, and was giving him severe back pain. The body isn't meant to move or bend in certain ways, and the way he was torquing his back was really bad for it. It's the same reason why athletes who use steroids sometimes can have weird muscle injuries. Their muscles are too strong for their body, because they did not evenly distribute the muscle building so parts can compensate for things. If I built up my thighs to be really really strong, but didn't work on my knees and joint strength, it could cause an imbalance and injuries. If I jump wrong (and land wrong) I can cause more damage than if I jump correct. Same theory, I believe, with the "lift with your knees, not with your back".
No one is simply ignoring them. Pointing out that they haven't been recurring injuries or that he's played extremely well even with such little development time are all legit responses....why is bringing them up "wrong?" You simply haven't liked people arguing with you. If people were ignoring you, you wouldn't even have those arguments in which to call people "homers" or kool-aid drinkers.
It doesn't seem like they plan to extend him this off-season or any time soon. There haven't been any rumblings of contract negotiations that I've seen. It's only next off-season that they have to make a decision on him. They can match any offer next season, so they don't risk a lot seeing what happens with him this coming season.
Greg Oden, college-basketball-star; a man barely alive Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic baller. Greg Oden will be that man; better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster. Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta!
