Oden: "I’m preparing myself right now to be an [NBA] all-star."

http://tribstar.com/sports/x1936222...n-of-Terre-Haute-for-Travis-Smith-golf-outing

Hell yeah! This is what we need. Confident, specific, realistic, and measurable goal.

It shows how determined he is. Even if he is injury prone, he, at least, isn't giving up.

 

His competition: Yao, Duncan, Jefferson, Bynum, Kaman, Lee, Nene, Okur, Dalembert, M. Gasol.

It's totally feasible if he remains healthy, and we're top 4 in the WC by the time they select players. It also wouldn't hurt if some of the above listed players are on sucky teams and/or injured.

 

In other news, HCP is preparing himself to bag a super-model, Ed O is preparing to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and I'm preparing to win the lotto. Talk is cheap and dreams are free.

 

But he's not just talking. What you call a dream is actually a goal, something he's working hard to achieve.

Will he achieve that goal? Only time will tell, but I'm please he's setting goals to improve and working hard to achieve those goals.

BNM

 

I'll be happy if he plays in 72 games and is around to play in the playoffs.

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=JtWVA

Oden had the fourth highest PER among second year centers on the three point shot era, trailing only Shaq, David Robinson, and Hakeem. His PER was 23.1, which was above Yao, Mourning, Dwight Howard, and Ewing.*

He was 1st in TS%, 3rd in eFG%, 2nd in ORB%, 3rd in DRB%, 2nd in TRB%, 4th in BLK%, 5th in ORTg, 11th in DRTg, and 3rd in WS/48.

If he can stay on the court -- injuries and fouls -- and makes progress from his play last heat, I see no reason why he can't be an all-star this year.

 

"last year"

 

I thought he was supposed to be working out in Portland this summer?

 

Contract year ...

 

He has been working out here.

 

Greg has only two limitations: foul trouble and injuries. I think with NBA conditioning, the quickness will return that will keep him from making silly fouls. I think the injuries have been a fluke.

If those two things are solved, we add a top five center (conservatively) to our lineup. And if they have to defend us inside, someone will always have an open shot.

 

Me too! 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks would be icing on the cake!

 

I thought cake metaphors were done when KP got canned?

 

The great thing about Oden's game is the boxscore doesn't relate his impact on the game. You can look at Durant's or Carmelo's box score and how it looks tells you the kind of game they had. GO could put of 8 points, 11 boards and dominate.

 

We changed it from a cake to a torte. Delicious!

 

As long as we don't switch it to flan ... I hate flan.

 

It is so cute and clever to constantly try to be the devil's advocate.

 

Oden is currently nationally underestimated. by Christmas, GO will drop everybody's jaw. He will be an All Star next year.

 

Good move. Nothing quite like torte reform.

 

Well, this cake was a little stickiy in the middle when tested and was shoved back in for a little more cooking. Will be done to perfection this season. says me!!!