OK, when I saw the picture on my work computer it wasn't clear. It does look like him, and if it isn't, the guy in the picture is in great shape, dare I say, Greg Oden shape, so yeah, you are probably right. You are also right about the effect all this negative bullshit will have on his desire to stay in Portland. I don't get why some people are so intent on driving him out of town.
Its not so much the partying. I like to party, and I hope he does too. Just have a sinking feeling that we're going to get hosed come contract time..meaning he won't sign or will go elsewhere. Would be catastrophic, IMO.
If Oden leaves for another team I won't wish him any ill will, I hope he gets healthy regardless of were he plays next year and the year after. I think we will retain him and i'll keep thinking that tell i'm proven wrong. My expectations have dropped for Oden but I still expect him to come back and be a force. Unfortunately because of his situation all of his faults and immaturity have been blown out of proportion. If Oden leaves for another team and becomes a star it will be hard to watch the rest of the NBA but I won't stop watching the Blazers even if we reach Timberwolves status.
I think its more Oden is always injured and we have to find something to bitch about because we're all disappointed about his injuries and what could have been. Then we see him out having a good time and it hurts because we should be sharing in that good time he's having when he's playing.
This photo was originally posted on the general NBA forum at realgm. I find the argument that Oden is under soooo much pressure in Portland because of the fans hilarious. The guy would have been ripped up and down by now if he played in New York or LA. Instead, in Portland, he still is mostly praised and protected by the fans, and if/when he leaves, the template has been set by the most ardent Oden supporters to actually blame Blazer fans for his departure.
Well GO is probably getting ripped because of the years of frustration from Blazer fans. If this say Wallace, no one would be saying much.
Just remember this is Portland. The fans that couldn't stand Zach doing his thing. Frankly I don't give a rats ass what Oden does, as long as he is working on trying to get back into playing shape. A night out doesn't seem too bad, IMO. Now if there was a picture of him doing a Scareface on a mountain of coke, then there would be a problem.
Raping hookers (allegedly) and buying his way out of it (allegedly) was a bit too much for many Blazer fans, as was Zach whooping it up at a Portland strip club while on "bereavement leave" while his team was playing a game. Nothing Oden has done comes close to the idiocy and immaturity that Randolph exhibited while in Portland.
Of course you are right. I just think the expression of that frustration is misplaced. When Greg got here he was an amiable, fun-loving youngster, and it was endearing. Now he can't even go out in public. It's OK. I'll get over it.
I hope we all can get over it. I am still hoping that Oden comes out and becomes that center we've all hoped for; and as a Blazer, not for some other team. Then he can eat babies and no one will care.
