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Published: March 05, 2008 11:09 pm
B-Sides: Greg Oden may be hurt, but he just threw down a huge influence dunk
By Mark Bennett
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE ? This move by Greg Oden doesn?t match a dazzling dunk or blocked shot on the ESPN highlights.
It?s better.
Like it or not, NBA players influence millions of youngsters with their feats, style and antics on the court. Oden hasn?t had that chance yet. Surgery on the basketball phenom?s injured knee forced him to sit out this season, his rookie year with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Yet, without even suiting up, Oden said something last week that every American kid can admire ? he intends to vote.
That alone doesn?t make him unique. Yes, his resume (a No. 1 draft pick), size (7-foot, 260 pounds) and latest haircut (a mohawk) set Oden apart from most 20-year-olds. But his civic-mindedness fits right in with record numbers of young people who?ve already voted in 2008 presidential nominating contests across the nation.
Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - B-Sides: Greg Oden may be hurt, but he just threw down a huge influence dunk
A look at what Oden stands for
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
RYAN WHITE
The Oregonian Staff
Last week, less than two hours after the news of Greg Oden's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president made it on to OregonLive, someone scribbled in the comments, "Disappointed in Oden -- thought he stood for some other things."
As closed-minded as that might be, it was not atypical. Politics is a contact sport, and woe the citizen who goes wading into it without proper protection. But since it was raised, let's show you just what Greg Oden stands for.
OregonLive.com: Everything Oregon
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