C Greg Oden (All B1G, All-American, Defensive Player of the Year, Butler Assistant Coach)

[Buckskin86]

Oden hopes to make forceful change to his game
By Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports

LAS VEGAS ? Greg Oden(notes) was spent. The injuries, his inconsistent play, the expectations that came with being a supposed franchise-altering center ? all of it had worn on Oden. The fun-loving free spirit who charmed the NBA as the No. 1 pick two summers ago had transformed into a brooding giant.

Even Oden admitted it: The pressure had become too much. So after the Portland Trail Blazers? season ended with a first-round loss to the Houston Rockets, Oden retreated to Columbus, Ohio, to enroll in some summer school classes at Ohio State, clear his mind and work on his game.

His goal: To regain his swagger and prove to the Blazers he can still become a growing force in the NBA.

?They?re going to see a guy that can dominate on the court and change games,? Oden told Yahoo! Sports this week. ??They drafted me for a reason and I want to show them why they drafted me.?

To rebuild his confidence, Oden began visiting a sports psychologist. ?A little shrink,? he joked.

?I?ve always been the type of guy that it doesn?t matter what I do if my team wins,? Oden said. ?We made it to the playoffs for the first time in how many years, and I?m down on myself.?

The psychologist helped Oden ?see himself.? Former Blazers forward Brian Grant provided similar help, flying from Cincinnati to Columbus to work with Oden four times a week, on and off the court. Grant, who is suffering from Parkinson?s disease, grew into a mentor of sorts for the Blazers? 21-year-old center. His words stuck with Oden.

?He said, ?People might be a lot more skilled than me, bigger than me, faster than me, but I?d be damned if I?m going to let someone outwork me when I?m out there,? ? Oden said. ??He?s been through it all. If I need someone to talk to, I know I can call him.?

Oden hopes to make forceful change to his game - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

 

[Buckskin86]

Brian Grant toughening up Greg Oden
Posted by Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian July 23, 2009

Isaac Brekken/The Associated Press
Greg Oden dunks the ball during a USA basketball team practice at Valley High School on Thursday in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS -- Greg Oden said he's been working out with former Blazer Brian Grant this summer. Oden said he just finished a second week of workouts with Grant last week In Columbus, Ohio. Oden added that it has been good to have someone like 6-foot-9, 254-pound Grant pushing and leaning on him daily.

"He's a big body who is pushing me around," Oden said before practicing at the USA Basketball minicamp. "Giving me somebody strong to go against."

Grant played for three seasons with the Blazers at power forward and center. He played in the NBA for 12 seasons, battling much bigger and stronger players such as Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone. Grant retired in 2006 and announced in May that he is battling Parkinson's disease.

Oden said Grant's wisdom and tutelage goes far beyond the court.

"Just work hard. That's what he's telling me," Oden said. "There's going to be a lot of people who are more talented than you and be quicker than you. But nothing beats hard work."

Brian Grant toughening up Greg Oden - Behind The Blazers Beat

 

[naptownbuck]

Nice article, Brian Grant is a great person for Greg to be around. Team USA minicamp is in full go, the big fella looks pretty good out there. Props to Coach Bayno, Medina, the OSU training staff, and of course Greg. A couple videos.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_zkzSLNiYY"]YouTube - Greg Oden Interview from Team USA Mini-Camp 2009[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbP2bRnbpxQ"]YouTube - Greg Oden - USA Olympic Select Basketball Practice[/ame]

Greg obviously looks to be in better shape, is running the floor better. Defensively he looks quicker in hedging screens and recovering.

(Some of the players in this video include Devin Harris, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Brook Lopez, OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, Javell Magee)

(A complete list of the players attending the mini camp. )
USA Basketball

 

[Buckskin86]

Oden's offensive game looks better
Posted by Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian July 24, 2009

Greg Oden grabbed the pass while sealing JaVale McGee on his back, setting himself up on the right side of the lane along the baseline during the USA Basketball's scrimmage Friday. Oden used two shoulder fakes before attempting a jump hook shot. The shot missed, but the fact that Oden's is even attempting to try a couple of low-post moves before shooting is a sign of progress in his offensive game.

"I've been working on that a lot during the summer," Oden said. "It was good to try it against these guys."

Oden tried two jump hooks during Thursday's scrimmage, making one and missing the other. Oden said he has been working on the shots during the summer, and what's different about the shot is Oden's finesse and feathery touch.

Knowing his role and not having to worry so much about scoring could be actually helping Oden relax even more.

"I'm not really concentrating on scoring here," Oden said. "I'm here to rebound and play defense. We've got enough scorers."

Oden's offensive game looks better - Behind The Blazers Beat

Oden, Durant in different spots at US minicamp
By BRIAN MAHONEY (AP)

LAS VEGAS ? Kevin Durant was invited to practice with USA Basketball two years ago and nearly made the U.S. team.

Greg Oden called in sick.

That's been the way it's gone since they were chosen with the top two picks in the 2007 draft: Durant on the fast track to superstardom, Oden having trouble getting on track at all.

So the goals are different at this week's minicamp. Durant is moving closer to a likely berth on the U.S. team in next summer's world championships, while Oden is just trying to get his international career off to a long overdue start.

"Let's be realistic about it. Durant has already established himself in two years in the NBA," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Friday. "He averaged 25 points a game last year in the NBA, so he's determined that he's a player to be reckoned with. Oden still has to find himself."

Oden was invited to train with the national team in 2006 following his senior year of high school, but couldn't participate while recovering from wrist surgery.

He was added to the national team roster in 2007, but couldn't come to camp after undergoing a tonsillectomy. Knee surgery a few months later wrecked any chance of playing last summer, so even he was surprised when he was chosen for this week's minicamp roster.

"I thought they were just going to be like, 'You know what, it's a lost cause,'" Oden said. "So they see something in me, so I want to come out here and just work to show them what I got."

The Associated Press: Oden, Durant in different spots at US minicamp

Oden, all the time
Posted by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com July 24, 2009

Or at least the next few days of USA Basketball mini-camp. The links (and video) ...

We can all thank Casey Holdahl (in unison) for providing the barrage of Greg Oden content. His thoughts after a first look at Oden yesterday:

Oden looked very good working out against his peers today in Las Vegas. Completely dominant in the paint defensively. Didn't have many opportunities on offense, but looked more fluid and coordinated when he did get the ball in the post.

All Oden, all the time - Blazers Blog

 

[schwab]

Maybe Greg needs to grow some Brian Grant hair.



















If you knew me, you would know I grow more hair on my (you name it) than I do on my head. I will turn 29 soon, so age is becoming less of a worry. But as Clapton said.. "let it grow, let it grow, let it blossom, let it flow.."

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg Oden ready to bring the joy to his sophomore season
Posted by Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian
July 25, 2009

LAS VEGAS -- Greg Oden shouts "take him," as he sprints down the court trying to help slow a fast break during a scrimmage. Later, Oden yells "pick, pick right," to a teammate.

A few possessions later, Oden attempts his version of Hakeem Olajuwon's "Dream Shake" move -- a series of shoulder fakes -- on the baseline before taking a jump hook shot.

The Trail Blazers' young center is rediscovering the joy of playing basketball, as was evident last week as he participated in USA Basketball's minicamp with 20 other rising NBA stars.

"I want to have fun this year," a smiling Oden said. "I'm going to try and enjoy playing."

Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Blazers center Greg Oden, practicing last week in Las Vegas, is ready to put his rocky rookie season behind him.

Oden, glad to have his rookie season behind him, is looking forward to the 2009-10 season. The injuries and inconsistent play of last season continue to fade. The moodiness that surfaced after listening to criticism throughout the season is giving way this summer to a happy, more relaxed Oden.
"I saw some teeth. He looked a little bit more relaxed and was talking (on the court)," said Blazers coach Nate McMillan, after watching Oden practice. "He looked comfortable. He looked like he was having some fun.

"I think that's the key. That's the reason these guys took up this game. They loved it, enjoyed it and you should have fun playing it. You gotta put in the effort and the work, but you should enjoy it."

One reason for the change in attitude is Oden's decision to toughen up mentally. Oden acknowledged last season wore him down psychologically the same way Shaquille O'Neal can wear him down physically on the court.

No more.

"I'm just going to go out there and play hard," Oden said. "Go out there, play my game and not worry about what everybody says -- not deal with all the ups and downs. Just go out there and have fun."

Oden said he's going to tune out the critics, the ones ready to give up on him and label him a bust after one NBA season.

"I'm just telling myself it doesn't matter what they think, what matters is what I think," Oden said. "I'm the one who has (to) go out there, and I'm the one who has to live with how I play. No one else."

Greg Oden ready to bring the joy to his sophomore season - Behind The Blazers Beat

Jul. 26, 2009
Copyright ? Las Vegas Review-Journal

BATTLING BACK: Mended Oden on rebound

Finally healthy, Blazers big man gets chance to make Team USA

Greg Oden had been away from the USA Basketball program for so long, he was worried the national team had forgotten about him.

Oden missed the last three summers with injuries, denying him the opportunity to participate. But the Portland Trail Blazers' 7-foot center reminded everyone Saturday in the USA Basketball Showcase that he can still play.

Oden was a force on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring seven points in 24 minutes for the White squad, but the Blue team posted a 100-81 win in front of 6,427 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

For Oden, it was a small yet significant first step in what he hopes will ultimately culminate with a spot on the 2012 Olympic roster.

"It was all right," he said. "I played decent. I tried to hold down the paint and concentrate on defense.

"It was good to be out there, getting some up and down and playing against this kind of good competition."

Oden said the three-day Las Vegas minicamp was a good experience, especially given the fact it was the first one he could participate in.

"I thought they were thinking, 'It's a lost cause,' " he said. "I was afraid they had forgotten about me, but I guess they were still looking at me."

BATTLING BACK: Mended Oden on rebound - Sports - ReviewJournal.com

 

[Buckskin86]

The State of Greg Oden
July 27, 2009

Just saw some video of Greg Oden playing against Brook Lopez and Kevin Love in the USA Basketball Showcase.

Look at him out there! Seven feet tall. Strong as an ox, even though he's just barely legal drinking age. Making rebounds that would be difficult for anyone else look easy. If he were still at Ohio State, anyone would consider drafting him at the top of the lottery, even with his injury history.

And this particular performance has been noted as somewhat encouraging.

I loved a lot of what I saw, particularly his conditioning, and commitment to containing smaller quicker ballhandlers.

But for whatever reason, watching this video was the moment that I lost a chunk of hope. In short: He has clearly been working out, working on his game and getting healthy. And as I have written a zillion times, he's an elite NBA rebounder right now, which is more than reason enough to keep him him on the court.

Nevertheless, you watch this and wonder if he'll ever be Greg Oden, as in the franchise-changing player who is a key part of big runs that win important playoff games. The Oden we have right now has some real and troubling obstacles.

?Even though he has been in the NBA mix for more than two years now, he still looks surprised by a lot of what happens on the court.

?He falls down a lot. Enough that it matters in and of itself. (If every player fell as much as he does, "wipeouts" would be a column in the boxscore.) Even more importantly, that many miscalculations and collisions, it's hard on a body, and he's been the king of injuries. The final reason I bring how often he hits the deck: It's a measure of the degree to which he is not anywhere near "in the zone" out there. When players are just rolling, they say everything seems to go really slow for them. To Oden, things seem to be going really fast.
?If you make ten perfect passes to him at game speed, he might make five decent catches.
He may well get there. He's a really nice seeming guy (to the extend I've met him) and I'm pulling for him. But if he does become a superstar, we should honor his hard work, and also remember to look around for some coaches and trainers to thank for their hard work -- because we've seen enough to know he's not a natural.

The State of Greg Oden - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN

USAB Showcase

Top 5 Breakout NBA Stars For Next Season
By Ben York

1. Greg Oden: A strong, healthy, and motivated Oden in a center-deprived Western Conference is just what the Blazers need. not that it?s remotely fair to criticize a player who has only played 61 games in the league with averages of 9 points and 7 rebounds in just 20 minutes a game. Oden will be much further along in his development this season and much more familiar with the NBA physicality and style of play. It?s not a crazy stretch for Oden to potentially average an easy double-double and compete with Andrew Bynum for a starting spot in the All-Star game.

http://dimemag.com/2009/07/top-5-breakout-nba-stars-for-next-season/

Letting Greg Oden Play
By: Wendell Maxey Last Updated: 7/27/09

As the 2009 USA Men's National Team mini-camp concluded three days worth of scrimmages in Las Vegas, Greg Oden likely breathed deeply and said a prayer.
So did the Portland Trail Blazers.

The accomplishment of competing against some of the NBA's finest young talent and having the chance to represent your country one day on the Olympic stage is one thing, but doing so pain and injury free is the real victory for Oden in Vegas.

The knee.

The foot.

The other knee.

Now is the chance for Greg Oden to move forward with no regrets.

"You hope a guy doesn't get injured, but that's a dream of these guys to represent their country. We can't stand in front of that," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, who will return as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for Team USA.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13443

 

[Buckskin86]

Greg on PTI...

PTI: Five Good Minutes - Greg Oden - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[Buckskin86]

Rob Oller commentary: Oden knows this season could be boom or bust
Sunday, August 2, 2009
By Rob Oller

A young basketball camper, having worked up enough nerve, asked Greg Oden what size shoe he wears.

If only all the questions were that harmless, the former Ohio State center would not need a Columbus sports psychologist to help him rediscover the fun of playing basketball.

But the questions are tough for a 7-footer who is not accustomed to criticism.

Why are you so soft?

Where's your offense?

When are you going to prove you were worth being the No. 1 pick in the draft?

Those questions, based on huge expectations, make Oden's size 19 sneakers feel more like a size 30. Big shoes to fill, indeed.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Rob Oller commentary: Oden knows this season could be boom or bust

GREG JAYNE: Mentoring kids right up Oden's alley
Saturday, August 1 |
BY GREG JAYNE
COLUMBIAN SPORTS EDITOR

Portland Trail Blazer Greg Oden. (ZACHARY KAUFMAN/The Columbian)

Greg Oden looks right at home here. Relaxed. Comfortable. King of all he surveys.

He's a 7-foot giant surrounded by 4-foot munchkins, brought together at Big Al's bowling center in east Vancouver to celebrate the wonders of mentoring.

Oden threw a party Saturday in support of Oregon Mentors, an umbrella organization that brings together kids who need a little help and adults who are willing to provide it.

"It gives a child the kind of guidance and caring that, for whatever reason, they might not be getting at home," said Carolyn Becic, executive director of Oregon Mentors.

So there was Oden, signing autographs and eating egg rolls and bowling without the benefit of being able to fit his fingers into the holes of the ball.

GREG JAYNE: Mentoring kids right up Oden's alley - Columbian.com

 

[osugrad21]

Indy

Oden eager to prove his value to Blazers

By Jeff Rabjohns
Posted: August 27, 2009



Greg Oden doesn't need to be reminded. He knows.
He is aware of how critical this season is to his career. He knows how he's viewed. And he knows he has yet to perform like a No. 1 NBA draft pick.

The 7-foot center from Lawrence North High School is heading into his third year in the NBA, one that could be the most important basketball season in his life.
After sitting out what would have been his rookie year following knee surgery, Oden endured another injury last season. He performed well at times for the Portland Trail Blazers, but did not dominate consistently as a top pick is expected to do.
"This is going to be a big year," he said earlier this week before heading back to Portland to prepare for training camp. "Everybody comes in and has that first year, that get-used-to-the-league year. But you have to break out in your second year. You have to, and that's what I'm looking forward to."
Oden played in 61 games last season. He averaged 22 minutes, 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.
This is the third year of his contract, and under NBA rules, teams have an option for a fourth before a first-round pick becomes a free agent. Normally with star players, an extension will be negotiated before the fourth year if a team wants to keep the player.
Without a breakout year during the rookie contract, a player's future becomes a question.
Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

September 20, 2009
Great Expectations

Greg Oden needs to prove his doubters wrong this season.

Bugged by injuries, Greg Oden hasn?t quite yet been able jump-start his career the way he would have liked to. After having all the accolades as a high schooler, the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft has had to fight off many adversities in his young career. From terrible injuries to constant foul trouble, Oden has battled through it all. There?s some doubt now as to what he?s capable of doing, but here and there he shows glimpses of glorious game. (Like in January when he dropped 24 points and 15 rebounds on the Milwaukee Bucks.) Expectations have been scaled back somewhat since Ben Osborne wrote this piece three years ago; but if Greg?s healthy, it?s only a matter of time before any and all expectations become reality.? Franklyn Calle

Greg Oden; SLAM 99

by Ben Osborne

Typically, due either to overconfidence in my acquired knowledge or plain laziness, I do not pick up dictionaries when I write. But as I formulate this story on Greg Oden, the 7-0, 260-pound consensus high school Player of the Year from Indianapolis, I need to check on a word that might work: refreshing. Is that just for processed foods and soda pop? Or does it have a universal meaning? Out comes the Webster?s. Thankfully, it keeps things simple. Check it: ?re-fresh-ing. adj. 1. that refreshes. 2. pleasingly new or different.? And that?s all I need, No. 2 in particular. There?s no better place to start my story.

The refreshment begins on the court. Through the AAU circuit, summer all-star camps and the three straight state titles and a career-ending 45-game winning streak at Lawrence North HS, Oden has shown a package of size and skills I simply haven?t seen before. Today, on the eve of the annual Roundball Classic in Chicago, it?s on display a mere 15 feet from me. At the behest of our cameraman, Oden is throwing down dunk after dunk. A seven-footer slamming the ball home sounds pretty boring, right? Not when ?G.O.? is the seven-footer in question. I don?t know if Oden could win a dunk contest at his height, but he sure wouldn?t embarrass himself; he?s got two-hand power slams where he brings the ball back between his shoulder blades before exploding it forward, and he?s got leaning one handers?equally impressive with either hand, mind you?of which MJ in his prime would approve. If I didn?t know it before today?s little workout, I do now: Greg Oden has springs.

Yes, guys like Kevin Garnett and Oden?s oncourt idol, Dwight Howard, are athletic power forwards, and David Robinson was a specimen at center, but in a lot of ways those guys are modern, face-the-basket big men. Oden is not. On offense, his aforementioned 260-pound frame (which he sees getting even bigger when he heads off to Ohio State) combines athletic dunks with old-school big man moves Pete Newell would be proud of. ?He?s really grown on offense,? says longtime Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer. ?He?s got a drop step, an up and under and a jump hook. Plus, this year he worked on a jump shot, which is now good from about 15 feet in. He?d show up at 6 a.m. big-man workouts to work on that stuff, and he?d always practice his free throws, too. You know he shot almost 80 percent from the free throw line? But still, his main strength has always been on defense.?

Greg Oden, McDonalds' All American Game. No doubt, Coach. I just started this on offense because it?s the part of Oden?s game that is underrated, if such a thing is possible when discussing a player called ?the most intimidating big man I?ve ever seen,? by OG recruiting expert Bob Gibbons. (Also, because Oden has been displaying it right in front of me for the last 45 minutes.) But when he finishes his mini-workout/photo session, Greg steers the conversation right back to defense. ?I?m a defensive guy?I like to get rebounds and block shots,? the 18-year-old says in his friendly baritone. ?I just look at it like, to win, you don?t want the other team to score.?

As Keefer says, Oden helps immeasurably in that regard. ?He can really move and defend around the basket,? Keefer says. ?Teams shot 32 percent against us because all they could really do was shoot three pointers. He let us be much more aggressive on the perimeter because we knew he had the basket covered.?

Often, Oden?s basket coverage would lead to transition opportunities, in which Greg?s friend and fellow future Buckeye, Mike Conley Jr., would lead a break that Greg would hustle to finish?just seconds after he?d blocked the shot to start it. ?When you run and you get the ball, you always have fun,? Greg says. ?I loved my guards, because they give me the ball. I?m not the type to always shoot the ball, but I like to touch it every time down. I like to get assists as much as making a post move to score. I?m just that type of player.?

SLAM ONLINE | ? Great Expectations

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

Is it me, or does Greg look really, really slimmed down?

 

[Wingate1217]

Is it me, or does Greg look really, really slimmed down?

I think (don't know for sure) that the picture (post above your post) is from his High School days if I read the article correctly (3 years ago)........

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

I think (don't know for sure) that the picture (post above your post) is from his High School days if I read the article correctly (3 years ago)........

yep, I feel stupid.

 

[Buckskin86]

Five Predictions for 2010
By: Luke Byrnes Last Updated: 9/24/09

In the world of sport, the only constant is unpredictability. With the NBA season right around the corner predictions and prognostications have been rampant here at HOOPSWORLD and throughout the media. Despite insider information and "expert" opinions, it is impossible to look into the future and see the outcome of an upcoming season. Alas, we still try.

Last year, injuries to star players like Kevin Garnett, Manu Ginobili and Gilbert Arenas cut short the seasons of the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards, respectively, and without the benefit of a crystal ball predicting such scenarios is nearly impossible. With all that in mind, today I will gaze into quite possibly the murkiest crystal ball in the history of sports writing and make five predictions about the upcoming NBA season. Wish me luck?

1. Greg Oden will finally become a difference-maker for the Portland Trail Blazers: Following an outstanding freshman season at Ohio State Greg Oden and Texas star Kevin Durant were viewed as can't miss prospects, sure to go first and second overall, in the 2007 NBA Draft. A winner of just about every individual award at the high school level (some of them as a junior and a senior), Oden was viewed as the type of player that would rejuvenate a dying breed of classic, back to the basket centers and become a dominating force in the paint for years to come. Unfortunately, on September 14, 2007, Oden had microfracture surgery on his right knee and the big man, viewed by many as a once in a generation talent, missed all of the 2007-08 NBA season. Classified as a rookie last season because of the injury, Oden and the team were optimistic about his return to floor but injuries again limited seven-footer to just 61 games. In just 21.5 minutes per game, however, Oden averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a rookie while shooting .564 from the field. Although Oden's offensive game is still a bit raw and mechanical, his presence on the defensive end of the floor was evident last season and with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller to carry the team on the offensive end this season, Oden will be able to focus on changing games with his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities this season. With a year in the NBA under his belt, expect Oden to become a force for the Blazers this season.

HOOPSWORLD