Do you guys think there is any chance that the league is sending tapes to the refs telling them to look for ticky tack away from the ball fouls on Oden? Given what Donaghy said about league instructions, especially regarding defensive players, this seems like a real possibility. Oden is averaging 5.3 fouls a game and not even breaking the 30 minute barrier in time on the floor. I've seen a few frustration fouls, a few legit fouls, a couple of fouls not called and a host of away from the ball tickytack fouls that seem designed to take the air out of the balloon. It seems like every time Oden starts to get in a groove he's suddenly rung up for a few cheap fouls. I'm willing to allow that our perimeter defense is about as watertight as the Titanic, but I also feel like Oden is being targeted (again!). So what is the source? Oden himself? The refs? Poor perimeter defense? All of the above? Please vote in the poll.
Seriously? Only three votes and one is mine? Even if you aren't going to comment, please at least vote. This is one of the biggest issues of last season and it appears this season. I'd like to draw upon the "wisdom of the crowd" here and see what's really going on.
No Im sorry...Im not cynical enough to think there are blatant instructions sent to the refs to screw you beloved C over....especially NOW since the NBA refs are being so scrutinized. Greg Oden's foul trouble isnt even as bad as Chris Mihm's was when he was on the Lakers a few years ago. Along with porous perimeter D hurting them some players just dont know how do play D without eventually fouling...so far Oden is one of those players
The majority of the fouls called on Oden have been away from the ball. Either moving screens or bizarre calls off the ball. Many were absolute phantom calls on the replay. I meant they tell the refs to see any contact Oden does as fouls. Much like Donaghy claims was the case with Raja Bell. If you watched the games you would have seen Martell absolute mug Carmelo on a few plays and not get called. Oden would bump Birdman in the paint and the whistle gets blown. Oden is certainly not alone in this kind of treatment. If it makes you feel better I felt like the Lakers were jobbed in game 2 against Boston.
So now Oden is a superstar stopper like Raja Bell? Birdman is the superstar the refs are protecting?!? ...please On a side note, insulting posters within your sig by name is sorta lame...if they are so lame then other people will figure it out on their own. Now posting a quote of thiers you think is ridiculous is fair game!
Good point about the sig. As to your Bball points, Oden is becoming a defensive force in this league and has a noticeable impact on games. He affects countless shots and is 2nd in the league in blocks, where I expect him to stay if he doesn't become #1. I wasn't saying Andersen was the superstar reason, it's Melo and Billups. Andersen was just a handy body to draw the foul. It was Oden's defensive impact and highlight reel reducing blocks the refs wanted out of the game. Denver was far more hesitant to go in the paint when Oden was in there to meet them. I believe Przybilla is treated the same way and I doubt they are alone in that regard.
Okay well then tell me yes or no.... Are the refs/league having a conversation directly about Oden and the way fouls specifically should be called when it comes to him? BTW, Im not insulting you in my sig...I thought that quote was hilarious and gives a snapshot of the POR boards
I don't think it's a conspiracy to make Oden foul out of the game. If anything, the instructions would be to keep him on the floor since he's a very marketable big man. I think his problem is that he's developed a reputation as a guy that commits a lot of ticky tack fouls, so the refs are just more aware of him playing sloppy. It will get better as the season goes on.
I don't think it's in the NBA's benefit to have an explicit anti-Oden agenda. They love stars, they'd love to have him succeed. By the same token, I think the NBA would like to have the Blazers do well. I'm sure they'd rather an LA v Cleveland finals, but for all the old image issues of the NBA, they'd love to have the Blazer's "good guys" succeed to a certain extent. So I don't think in our case it would be at the executive level. I do think the individual refs and their personal grudges, etc. play a role, but they're just as likely to be for us at this point as against us... I voted all of the above because it's more complicated than a single issue. I just wish he wouldn't get any fouls on the offensive end...I would be very happy if he got 6 fouls a night mugging people driving to the hoop...
The scary thoughts I have go like this. Sith Lord Stern: "So how are the plans proceeding Darth Thorn?" Darth Thorn: "They are ahead of schedule my Lord." Sith Lord Stern: "Excellent, this rag-tag band of do gooders in the North Western portion of the Empire must be crushed before we have a full fledged rebellion!" Darth Thorn: "Don't worry my Lord we have been giving Oden ticky tack fouls against floppers and non-floppers alike." Sith Lord Stern: "Soon he will be broken and ready to sign with New York and LeBron. Then his descent into the Dark Side will be complete!" ...a few years later. Darth Oden: "I AM your FATHER LukeBron!" LeBron: "That's not possible! That's a lie!" Darth Oden: "You know it is true Lukebron! Search your feelings and google images the similarity in our faces is unmistakable. Search and you will know it is the truth! Join ME and together we will create a Dynasty the likes of which this League has never known!" LeBron: "NOOOOOOOOOOO...I will NEVER join you...and quit calling me LukeBron! It's LAAAA BRAAAWN. Pronounce the "e" like an "a". Man, there isn't even a "k" in it!"
Idunno. Dwight Howard came into this league primarily as a defender/shotblocker/rebounder, and he quickly became one of the more marketable figures in the NBA. Everybody knew about Greg Oden when he entered the league and expected similarly great things. The NBA would've benefited a lot if he blossomed into a star. If there were a refereeing conspiracy, I'd think it would work in his favour.
My only thought on that is that while Orlando is small itself, when Miami is gone they become the De Facto Florida team. This is what I call "the San Antonio is still Texas" effect. I keep reading people saying that Oden should get a bias from the refs, but I fail to see it in the games.
#1 and 3. I don't think the refs are to blame. He needs to control himself on the perimeter defensively, especially, and he needs to continue to work on going straight up on the interior. He'll get it figured out. Our point guards are slow defensively, so that puts additional pressure on him to help out... but that also lets him block more shots and do what he does (second- , after rebounding) best. Ed O.
