Greg Oden will be a BUST!

[mainevent3405]

You've heard it here first. While everyone else is predicting greatness from the big fella in the future, I think he is going to go completely the opposite way. He doesnt have it. The IT he doesnt have is the fire to be great. I personally dont think basketball is for him. Call me crazy all you want, ever since I've watched him in college I saw it (or didnt see it depending on how you're looking at it). He's big and it seems like he was FORCED to play basketball. If we would have gotten the pick, I was PRAYING for DA to select KD. I read this post on the Oregonian this morning from one of their posters:
ODEN HAS NO FRIENDS ON THE TEAM AND THAT HE DOESN'T TALK TO ANYONE. AND THAT HE TAKES PRIVATE ENTRANCES AND EXITS IN THE ROSE GARDEN AND THE PLAN, AND THAT TEAMMATES ARE TIRED OF HIM BEING SUCH A DOWNER. THATS WHY THEY ARE TRYING TO GET CONLEY TO COME TO THE BLAZERS, SO THAT ODEN CAN HAVE A "FRIEND" ON THE TEAM

Again, you've heard it here first. I'm not even talking about injuries. He does NOT have an O-game to speak of and he's slow on defensive rotations. THANK YOU RED FOR WILLING US OUT OF THAT TOP PICK!!!

[canman1971]

I don't think you are the first person to say this. Some have been saying it since the draft. But, whatever. I think it is a little premature to call a guy a bust when he sat out an entire year. Of course he is going to be slow. Also, who cares if he is a quiet/private person. It is not our problem, so I really could care less.

[campybatman]

In my opinion, Portland must retain both Roy and Aldridge if they see them as the cornerstones to build around. After them, Oden I feel is the wild card. If he proves to be at least 70% or 80% of what Portland believes he can become as a viable starting center in this league. No, not viable... A stud center in this league. Then you must commit to him for the long term as well. I wondered to myself: Can Portland afford max contracts for all three and should the third be Oden and will ownership try to keep around most of their other young players? My main point is: Does Oden belong in the group with Roy and Aldridge as the team's likely untouchable players? Right now, who knows... But, I'm not ready to label him a bust. He missed his first NBA season. So, what? So did Ilgauskas I recall. I think NBA fans and media pundits are ready to accept that he'll prove to be another Sam Bowie or have a short career (or a career which ends prematurely) like Brad Daugherty.

I'm going to just wait and see and see how he looks with more seasons under his belt. To me, he's raw offensively and his defense (foot work and timing) probably needs more refining. He needs a Clifford Ray or Abdul-Jabbar or a former center (preferably one with a NBA career he'll respect) to work with him specifically. I don't know what his support is like in Portland. But, it's a good idea. It couldn't hurt at least with helping with mechanics or what have you.

By the way, if that's true about his lack of friends among his teammates. That's sad that this guy will be remembered for one thing as a player that couldn't exist as a player on his own but was required to have Mike Conley, Jr. to function as a player or Conley's the only player that could bring the best out of him. How odd. But, I don't believe that. It's too bizarre almost to fathom.

[avi623]

okay.

[Celtsfan1980]

No need to anger Portland fans. We should at least give him a year or two before making comments like these.

[Dogen]

I don't think Oden will be quite the savior that was predicted of him, but it's too early to tell if he's a bust. Remember, for all the finish that his body looks to have, he's what-- 20? Very hard for a big man to come in at that age and establish himself against the ' grown-ups', no matter how strong he looks. He's only played 20 game sin the NBA; Oden will improve markably.

OTOH, the reason he won't be the big savior is partially like mainevent said: He doesn't really convince me that he has that fire. Maybe it will change but players don't tend to change in character that much. We should give him the benefit of the doubt though. Maybe he's just a more introverted person. He's been in the spotlight since about 16 years old, he may not have that same type of temperment, ala LeBron, Kobe, that can come into the league so young and be able to dominate. If he turns out to be a defensive force but plays second fiddle to Roy, Portland could still get a couple of rings out of it and there is no way he could be a bust.

My biggest concern about Oden is his physical health. It's been noted that one of his legs is longer than the other and it appears obvious to me that he has to put in more effort getting up and down the floor. Just look at him walking, it's always with a slight limp. That will take it's toll and Oden will need to work constantly to stay in shape and stay mobile. I can't see how he will be very good in the transition game. He does seem to be deceptively quick in getting up for blocks, though, and once he learns his position better he will be an excellent defender/rebounder in the half court game.

[cloverleaf]

Are you saying he's a Patrick O'Bryant with much greater strength and body mass?

[Dogen]

Are you saying he's a Patrick O'Bryant with much greater strength and body mass?

No. POB has some offensive game.

[campybatman]

Maybe if Boston fans badmouth Oden enough. Portland will want to trade him for O'Bryant. I mean O'Bryant hasn't missed a season in his brief career so far and look at his progress.

[Dogen]

Maybe if Boston fans badmouth Oden enough. Portland will want to trade him for O'Bryant. I mean O'Bryant hasn't missed a season in his brief career so far and look at his progress.

POB can't be traded until Dec 15th. If we throw Scal into the deal the numbers work in the trade checker. I'd say pull the trigger on this one even though we lose an offensive threat in the post and a 3pt specialist/ fan favorite for an unproven, oft-injured rookie.

[rumdiary]

I thought about starting a thread like this because it would be absolutely hilarious to watch the spectacle of someone stupid enough to make this kind of unforseeable prediction.

[ParticleMan]

ridiculous thread.

where is all this stuff about him not having any friends coming from? he certainly had friends on the OSU team. and he certainly seems like an affable guy in interviews.

[Kids Are Alright]

Can't even imagine judging a 20 year old....he's no stud yet, but maybe there's (offensively speaking) Patrick Ewing in this guy. He's certainly not a Dwight Howard sort of player. One injury and maybe a couple more college years from being the player that he was judged to be.

Here's a better question, how many of us would trade him straight up for the former project, Kendrick Perkins? He wasn't able to stay on the floor at 20 either and his offensive game was worse.

[Zin5]

Greg Oden's per 36 stats so far this year:
Points: 12.9 (.506 FG%)
Rebounds: 12.7
Blocks: 2.7

Dwight Howard's per 36 stats at the same age:
Points: 17.2 (.603 FG%)
Rebounds: 12.0
Blocks: 1.9

The difference is Howard was coming off two years of healthy play in the NBA and was basically the first option on his team that basically fed him the ball inside for him to dunk, while Oden's in his first year, having not played competitive basketball in a year and hasn't been completely healthy in two, and has been the third or fourth option on a team trying to contenders in a tough western conference. Greg also has another big in LMA to compete for post play and rebounds, while also having another competent starting center in Pryzbilla to compete for minutes and touches. Dwight was the only competent big on that team The FG% difference is worrisome, but I expect Greg to get more comfortable with the NBA and playing basketball as the year and his career goes on. The guy's already shown more post moves than Dwight at this point and Dwight's numbers are inflated by the sheer number of dunks he's taken.

The Oden bust talk is highly overrated, overreactionary, and getting kind of annoying. Seriously, I'm a Celtics fan, but it seems like everyone else's fans besides Portland's is just bitter that they missed out. Give the kid time, bigs take more time to mature and he's been thrown into trying to compete seriously in the playoffs for Portland.

[mainevent3405]

I thought about starting a thread like this because it would be absolutely hilarious to watch the spectacle of someone stupid enough to make this kind of unforseeable prediction.

Name calling is not necessary. I am entitled to my opinion fella. Who gives a d*** what YOU think about it! By the way, maybe it is an over-reaction and I agree with a lot of your valid points, but the fact remains, I'm happy the way the ball bounced that draft lottery.

[GuyClinch]

No offense but your not the first to think this - that was just probably your first time watching Oden. IMHO - he can be decent. I thought bust at first too but as long as his health is okay he is so big and strong that he can do decent in the league.

It kinda reminds me of Perkins when he first arrived. Obviously Oden will be much better (barring injury) then that but notice how Perkins managed to learn to move and finish better. and like Perkins he has a good work ethic so he can work on his lack of mobility and coordination..

His health is so bad though - that I do think back to guys like Sampson (not that he plays the same way) who busted out of the league. I am kinda glad we dont have to worry about blowing our cap on him and watching him go Chris Webber/Gilbert/Sampson on us..

Pete

[taufblazers33]

he has yet to play one whole month of an nba season and is coming back from a year off from surgery and he is labeled a bust?? In other words, u judge how well a player's career is going to be after one month of nba play?? that means Michael Jordan sucks if ur judging it that way and David Robinson isn't a HOF.
Admit, ur just bitter we have a better future AND we have Oden.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[campybatman]

As far as young talent to develop into the next star for the team. Boson has Rondo while Perkins is a viable starting center when he isn't in foul trouble or antagonizing the referees (technical fouls). Granted, he isn't likely to join Oden, Bynum and Horford in joining D. Howard in that first tier of young centers. But, he deserves to be mentioned among other good centers who start who are his peers like Biedrins, Bogut and Chandler.

As far as the long term future of Boston. Well, it'll depend on what happens in the immediate future as Boston's three All-Stars will at some point realize, hopefully, much later in their careers, that they no longer can perform at an All-Star level due to age and an individual desire to move on from the sport.

[cfan79]

LOCK, Making a thread like this is childish. I thought Oden looked alright the short time he was out there. I thought it was Aldridge who really dropped the ball in this one.

[cfan79]

Admit, ur just bitter we have a better future AND we have Oden.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

LOL, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I'd rather have 1 or 2 titles then go onto to be absolutely dreadful for 10 years rather then have a solid team which may not ever win a title.

Besides with solid young starters in Rondo and Perk I don't see the C's being bad anytime soon.