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Greg Oden is receiving interest from the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies, among others.

Dont know if the team is seriously considering Oden; however he has been linked to the Pacers for a while considering his Indiana roots. I like the idea of keeping him as far away from the Heat as possible lol. Thoughts?

I'd want to sign him, but it's all about the $$$. What's he going to be looking for? What are others going to offer him?

Honestly, I think he's looking for the best situation to rehab and retrain. He doesn't need cash, and he's apparently saved well. What he wants is simply to succeed. I'm not sure that we're the place. Especially since we have Hibbert and Mahinmi right now, with seemingly no minutes for Oden.

Scoot McGroot wrote:Honestly, I think he's looking for the best situation to rehab and retrain. He doesn't need cash, and he's apparently saved well. What he wants is simply to succeed. I'm not sure that we're the place. Especially since we have Hibbert and Mahinmi right now, with seemingly no minutes for Oden.

You don't think being close to home would be a good place for him to succeed? Essp with working and playing with Roy Hibbert? He wouldn't have the pressure to do too much for a long time. I doubt he wants big minutes anytime soon, just slowly move on with his career.

Grang33r wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:Honestly, I think he's looking for the best situation to rehab and retrain. He doesn't need cash, and he's apparently saved well. What he wants is simply to succeed. I'm not sure that we're the place. Especially since we have Hibbert and Mahinmi right now, with seemingly no minutes for Oden.

You don't think being close to home would be a good place for him to succeed? Essp with working and playing with Roy Hibbert? He wouldn't have the pressure to do too much for a long time. I doubt he wants big minutes anytime soon, just slowly move on with his career.

I don't think he makes his home in Indy for most of the year. Playing with Hibbert wouldn't hurt in theory, but in reality, playing behind Hibbert and Mahinmi means that he won't be playing. And I think a guy that wants to develop wants to play. He'd be hard-pressed to be active most nights in Indy.

Plus, let's be fair. We haven't had a league heralded medical staff in many years. They're ok, but nothing amazing. If he's looking for that, I'd imagine a Phoenix would be very interesting.

I think Oden should go to a better environment in the winter. I'm not a doctor but I believe people heal quicker in warmer climates. Since he is always injured it couldn't hurt.

Like Scoot pointed out PHX should consider it, as well as the Heat & Spurs.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Grang33r wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:Honestly, I think he's looking for the best situation to rehab and retrain. He doesn't need cash, and he's apparently saved well. What he wants is simply to succeed. I'm not sure that we're the place. Especially since we have Hibbert and Mahinmi right now, with seemingly no minutes for Oden.

You don't think being close to home would be a good place for him to succeed? Essp with working and playing with Roy Hibbert? He wouldn't have the pressure to do too much for a long time. I doubt he wants big minutes anytime soon, just slowly move on with his career.

I don't think he makes his home in Indy for most of the year. Playing with Hibbert wouldn't hurt in theory, but in reality, playing behind Hibbert and Mahinmi means that he won't be playing. And I think a guy that wants to develop wants to play. He'd be hard-pressed to be active most nights in Indy.

Plus, let's be fair. We haven't had a league heralded medical staff in many years. They're ok, but nothing amazing. If he's looking for that, I'd imagine a Phoenix would be very interesting.

I like the idea of him playing behind Hibbert however I agree that he isnt needed and he would have to display that he is better than Mahinmi to get some playing time. I just hope that if the Heat signs him that he isnt the shot-blocking and rebounding juggernaut he was during his minimal playing time (before the knee surgeries) as a rookie. I remember Portland was considered a championship contender with Oden as a rookie; along the front line with Aldridge until the injury derailed their hopes.

SmashMouthRod wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Grang33r wrote:
You don't think being close to home would be a good place for him to succeed? Essp with working and playing with Roy Hibbert? He wouldn't have the pressure to do too much for a long time. I doubt he wants big minutes anytime soon, just slowly move on with his career.

I don't think he makes his home in Indy for most of the year. Playing with Hibbert wouldn't hurt in theory, but in reality, playing behind Hibbert and Mahinmi means that he won't be playing. And I think a guy that wants to develop wants to play. He'd be hard-pressed to be active most nights in Indy.

Plus, let's be fair. We haven't had a league heralded medical staff in many years. They're ok, but nothing amazing. If he's looking for that, I'd imagine a Phoenix would be very interesting.

I like the idea of him playing behind Hibbert however I agree that he isnt needed and he would have to display that he is better than Mahinmi to get some playing time. I just hope that if the Heat signs him that he isnt the shot-blocking and rebounding juggernaut he was during his minimal playing time (before the knee surgeries) as a rookie. I remember Portland was considered a championship contender with Oden as a rookie; along the front line with Aldridge until the injury derailed their hopes.

Theoretically, I agree. It'd be cool to see him put it together for the Pacers. It's just unlikely. We don't have a spot for him, nor are we a great spot for him to rehab.

I am a solid believer that the Pacers have the most capable physical trainers in the NBA. And personally, I would give Oden a shot. He'll come cheap for sure, as he will look to regain his reputation. Since I would agree there is not enough minutes for Oden, maybe it would be better to send him to the D-League first, and monitor his recovery.

Moooose wrote:I am a solid believer that the Pacers have the most capable physical trainers in the NBA. And personally, I would give Oden a shot. He'll come cheap for sure, as he will look to regain his reputation. Since I would agree there is not enough minutes for Oden, maybe it would be better to send him to the D-League first, and monitor his recovery.

So now Oden is agreeing to play in Ft. Wayne?

Boneman2 wrote:I think Oden should go to a better environment in the winter. I'm not a doctor but I believe people heal quicker in warmer climates. Since he is always injured it couldn't hurt.

Like Scoot pointed out PHX should consider it, as well as the Heat & Spurs.

Yup. Desert climates especially are good for joints, and the less cold weather the better. Barometric changes in pressure can really mess with your knee - I've got a knee that throbs sometimes in certain weather.

Oden should come home to play in Indy though. If he gets good enough, he'll earn minutes.

don't know about Pacer trainers, but Shelbourne knee group (Methodist Hospital) that works with Colts is first rate.

I think Oden could steal minutes away from Mahinmi, if he stays healthy. I think a return for him is very possible... but we saw what happened with Brandon Roy and his last shot to return to the NBA in Minny... he got injured again.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Moooose wrote:I am a solid believer that the Pacers have the most capable physical trainers in the NBA. And personally, I would give Oden a shot. He'll come cheap for sure, as he will look to regain his reputation. Since I would agree there is not enough minutes for Oden, maybe it would be better to send him to the D-League first, and monitor his recovery.

So now Oden is agreeing to play in Ft. Wayne?

Would the Pacers agree to sign him without the agreement and condition of sending him to the NBDL to recover?Oden is clearly NOT in a position to make a demand.

Didn't our head trainers get an award or something for being the best?

I'd take a flyer on Oden, but I'm lukewarm about the idea.

Moooose wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Moooose wrote:I am a solid believer that the Pacers have the most capable physical trainers in the NBA. And personally, I would give Oden a shot. He'll come cheap for sure, as he will look to regain his reputation. Since I would agree there is not enough minutes for Oden, maybe it would be better to send him to the D-League first, and monitor his recovery.

So now Oden is agreeing to play in Ft. Wayne?

Would the Pacers agree to sign him without the agreement and condition of sending him to the NBDL to recover?Oden is clearly NOT in a position to make a demand.

But the. How is it better for Oden to be here, when he'd be rehabbing and training from a staff in Ft. Wayne, not the Pacers doctors in Indy? Is that going to be best for his knee?

Also, at his age and experience, Ft. Wayne is completely HIS choice. We can't outright him down there like we could a rookie.

No way Oden signs with us to play in Ft. Wayne. Be realistic.

He will have plenty of other offers from teams like the Cavs and the Heat to play immediately.

Jake0890 wrote:No way Oden signs with us to play in Ft. Wayne. Be realistic.

He will have plenty of other offers from teams like the Cavs and the Heat to play immediately.

And to play within 50 miles of the doctors and trainers he needs to monitor his rehab. Ft. Wayne isn't that.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Jake0890 wrote:No way Oden signs with us to play in Ft. Wayne. Be realistic.

He will have plenty of other offers from teams like the Cavs and the Heat to play immediately.

And to play within 50 miles of the doctors and trainers he needs to monitor his rehab. Ft. Wayne isn't that.

Well, i am not saying that the Pacers will sign him just to send him to the D-League for the rest of the year. But is it the reason why the NBA has a developmental league? Outside of practice, we need to see him play against real competition too, and he will not get that as a 3rd or 4th stringer off the bench.

If you don't see him going into the D-League for some time then it is your opinion.

Moooose wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Jake0890 wrote:No way Oden signs with us to play in Ft. Wayne. Be realistic.

He will have plenty of other offers from teams like the Cavs and the Heat to play immediately.

And to play within 50 miles of the doctors and trainers he needs to monitor his rehab. Ft. Wayne isn't that.

Well, i am not saying that the Pacers will sign him just to send him to the D-League for the rest of the year. But is it the reason why the NBA has a developmental league? Outside of practice, we need to see him play against real competition too, and he will not get that as a 3rd or 4th stringer off the bench.

If you don't see him going into the D-League for some time then it is your opinion.

The d league isn't meant for guys who are rehabbing. You're having guys to from ft Wayne to Sioux Falls, and other BFE cities in between. There's not great hospitals or doctors in these cities and towns, and you're traveling more on busses than planes. Think of a double a baseball minor league team.

Also, as a guy who's played more than 2 years in the NBA, he has to agree to ANY assignment to the NBADL. That's part of the reason Mason kept getting sent down rather than Pendy at any point. The D Leage e oats solely for undrafted or 2nd round guys fresh out of college. It's not for rehab assignments.