True or False: Oden coming back strong is necessary to make the playoffs.

False. We're 10-5 without him. Provided that Joel is healthy, we're fine. Do I want Greg back? Yes. But it better be soon because I actually think it could hamper us if we have to take a step back to work him back into the chemistry of the team. His last three games were pretty good but, coming back from an injury, he could be a step slow. We'll see.

 

Um, since Oden went down we've beat one non-bottom feeder team--San Antonio, quite possibly the best played game of the year. Whether Oden would have made a difference in any other game is debatable, but we need someone else in that can rebound besides Joel if we want to make any noise in the playoffs.

 

False. Joel has been very solid. Not having a solid back up C may hurt us, but we'll still make the playoffs.

 

I say true. The team has been out rebounded in a majority of games since he went out. The only ones they haven't, have been the Clipps and the rare San Antonio blowout.

 

My feelings exactly.

 

False

 

A lot of people don't understand the value of the double-teams Greg draws and how that frees up more space for the rest of our team that is primarily jumpshooters.

I suspect they will quickly learn to value this trait in the playoffs.

 

I agree with the vast majority here: Game-shape Oden is critical to have a prayer of winning the first round. He is not critical to get in.

iWatas

 

Ummm did we win a bunch of games against WC playoff teams on the road when Oden played? No. The truth is that we are fine without him.

And you're forgetting the 4-2 record we had without him at the top of the season and some of those games were against very good teams.

 

Yes, but Joel is consistent. Oden hardly EVER gets his averages in a game. He's either pretty good like 12/10 or horrible like 4/2. Joel is there for us every game. Oden has grabbed less than 5 rebounds in 15 games this season.

 

We haven't had a game-shape Oden all season. How on earth are we gonna have Game-shape Oden in the playoffs after a month or more off for the most recent injury?

 

Here's something for you to ponder Kingspeed:

Pryzbilla has had 5rbs or less in 14 games this season.
Pryzbilla has scored 4pts or less in 29 games this season.

You see how easy that is. There is a reason for "averages." If you think Oden sucks that's fine, but don't deny Joel's numbers are actually worse than Oden's. Joel has been huge for us this year, no doubt, but I don't know why that means you have to automatically dump on Oden. You can enjoy watching both players.

 

While getting Oden back would help, I feel that most of our playoff chances lie with what Phoenix does. Not that I don't think that we can do it on our own, but Phoenix is really hurting right now.

 

Good post.

 

I think more has to do with oden's confidence and comfort with the game vs. his actual shape....hopefully this break re-focuses him and he sees more out there on the floor now.

 

Wasn't Oden's time off last season supposed to refocus him? I thought he was out scouting the league all season and rehabbing his knee and getting ready to be "Worth the Wait." I thought we gave him a whole year off to get better. And I thought he said his repaired knee was stronger than his other one. And then after a shaky start, everyone in here was saying to give him a few months and he'd start dominating. Never happened. I'll keep waiting. And I mean that. The 17/12/6 game against the Knicks gives me hope.

 

yeah, but he got actualy in-game action now. Oden's time off last season was supposed to anger him. I thought he'd come back from the allstar break more focused due to more comfortability with his knee (oops now)...but having in game expereince, now with the wait might help.

he doesn't really need to dominate. what Oden needs to do is to be part of the offense. I'm not sure now what happens when he comes back..if he's still reticient due to his knees....kind of freaky.

that being said, when he's not in foul trouble, our team is much much better. once (if) he gets more comfortable with the game, we'll be good.

For me, without a good oden, we're not going to reach western conference eliteness.

 

No question. We need him to stand up and be an active force for our team to win the 15 championships he talked about.

 

Exactamundo. The current lineup is enough to sneak in. Phoenix is just down too deep. But Oden's absence is just too apparent. Funny that he is criticized so much, yet his importance is firmly established. The best rebounding team in the league due to him and the Thrilla, which is HUGE. They make everything so much easier for their teammates. His absence is definitely felt. To make noise(make a run for the WCF) he'll be needed. He gets us easy hoops man! So critical.