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Buckskin86
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Trail Blazers: Greg Oden still targeting playoffs as rehab continues; news, notes and links
By Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian
March 06, 2010
When asked about if he is being realistic about returning for the playoffs - if the Blazers reach the playoffs - Greg Oden didn't hesitate.
"I would like to hope so. I do think so," Oden said. "That?s just me being anxious to get out there and play again."
Greg Oden is optimistic that he will be ready to play if the Blazers reach the playoffs.Oden said even if he doesn't play again this year, he'll be able to use his recovery as a springboard to the 2010-11 season.
"I know next year is going to be right around the corner (after the playoffs)," Oden said. "If I can definitely get close to playing (this season), that means I can go into this summer with a good head _ that I?m ready."
Oden came out after the Blazers ended practice Friday and shot very, very soft shots - notice I didn't say "jump" shots because he never jumped - bank shots, layups and hook shots. He hasn't been seen doing much shooting "Just trying to stay away from you (media) guys" but he said his rehabilitation is progressing well.
"The knee is getting stronger,' Oden said. "It all starts (in the weight room). Getting my quadriceps strong. That?s the next step for me - trust (my quads). Knowing that I can trust it when I move left to right."
The center, who suffered a season-ending fractured left patella injury Dec. 5, said it was a positive feeling to come out and experience even an abbreviated form of basketball on the court.
"It feels good to be out here on the court and finally touch a basketball," Oden said. "(I'm) definitely excited for that. I wish I could jump and run. But it?s little steps."
Trail Blazers: Greg Oden still targeting playoffs as rehab continues; news, notes and links | OregonLive.com
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Hopefully Greg learned his lesson...probably feels like a fool with his pants on the ground.
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Buckskin86
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Oden on the mend, but cautious
Big mental hurdle awaits him before return to NBA action
By kerry eggers
The Portland Tribune, Mar 18, 2010
Rehab from December surgery for a fractured left kneecap (patella) is going fairly smoothly for Greg Oden.
Not so well, though, that the 7-foot center can expect to return to the Trail Blazers this season.
?The chance of that happening is remote at best,? veteran Portland trainer Jay Jensen says.
Almost two months ago, Oden told the Portland Tribune, ?I?m actually hoping, and saying my prayers, that I can come back before the end of this season.?
Asked this week about whether he still holds that hope, Oden sounds as if he has scaled back his plans. ?I have no idea when I can get back to playing,? Oden says. ?Until I get better, I won?t know for sure.
?I want to get my knee feeling good to the point where if (a return this season) doesn?t happen, I can at least go into the summer knowing I?m ready for next season. I?m just being realistic.?
Coach Nate McMillan is looking at it the same way.
?I?m basically planning that Greg won?t return this season,? he says. ?If he does, great. What we have to do is make sure he is healthy when he does return, whether it?s this year or next year.
?It would be a big risk if we were trying to hurry him back when he has been out for most of the year. The main thing is to get him as strong as possible, whenever that is.?
Oden on the mend, but cautious
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Buckskin86
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhu1-rBJz6E]YouTube - Greg Oden Video: Episode #1 Whoop Whoop Portland[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf2QJbygsrI]YouTube - Greg Oden Video: Episode 2 Silver Guy[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf2QJbygsrI]YouTube - Greg Oden Video: Episode 2 Silver Guy[/ame]
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Buckskin86
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7Iqpgt9gQ]YouTube - Greg Oden Video: Episode Three G.O. Speed Racer[/ame]
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Interview: Pritchard discusses the Blazers
On how essential Oden is to the team's big three and the future success of the organization:
With Greg specifically, I've always said to Greg ? and publicly ? the most important thing I care about with Greg is to control what he can control. And that's his habits and that's his work ethic and that's his approach to the game, and that's all those things sort of encompassed. And we're as thrilled as we could be with him. Because he does everything we've ever asked. We've asked him to work extremely hard with his rehab; extremely hard with his weight; with everything. And he's done it, eyes wide open and ready to do it full speed ahead. But ? and we know this for a fact ? when Greg played, we were a different team. You look at his last 20 games, and he was a really special player. He was starting to play at a level that was a top-seven, top-eight player. And that's not just me saying, 'Hey, he's a top-eight, top-10 player.' If you look at his (Player Efficiency Rating), I think he's a top 10. I think he's eight or seven. And that's because in the beginning he was sort of flat, and then he started to ramp it up. If you took his last 20 games ? I don't know what it was ? but it was pretty good. So, we know that he is capable. That's the one thing we know. Our key is, we need to make sure that he does everything that he can, and everything that we can, that helps his body prepare for the 82 games that are in the season, and then into the playoffs. And that's where we can help him, and that's what we're trying to do. But for us ever to be that special team, we're going to have to him. There's no doubt about it. Does it mean we can't do it with other players? No. It's possible. But our best chances are for Greg to be healthy and playing at the last 20 games of this year. Because, again, when he played, he was really special. He come in and affect the game, just himself, in a few spurts and make us completely different. Specifically on the defensive end. But as he progressed offensively, it changed us also.
We felt like we were on our way. We've got a lot of work to do. We've still got to continually say tomorrow's going to be better for us because we're going to work today. If Greg takes that attitude ? which he has ? I see no reason why we won't.
On whether Oden must produce at a high level for a consistent period over time. And, if he doesn't, how that could affect the long-term prospects of the team, considering he was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft:
I guess I would answer that ... we know we have a very special player. And for us to move forward at that elite level, we have to have him playing over a long period of time at his highest level. And, again, it's amazing ? I would call this season the 'Season of Resilience.' Something would knock us back a little bit, and we'd just move two steps forward. Then we'd get knocked back and take two steps forward. And you know what? I really believe in the long run, this makes us a better organization. I was here in the resurgence, and have been around a lot of people. I know everybody in this building today is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. And that's what we have to be. And you're seeing Brandon and LaMarcus; now Andre (Miller) is stepping up in a leadership role; (Marcus) Camby; Juwan (Howard). We're seeing a lot of guys step up and embrace accountability. And I think that's probably the biggest thing for me.
I've always believed this ... when Nate and Andre had (an argument). ... Nate and I had a long conversation, and Andre. And that could've taken us down, or it could've made us better. It's like in a relationship. We've all had relationships where, you're at this inflection point, and something happens. And you either say, 'OK, we're passing it up; let's move on.' Or 'Let's make it stronger and cement the relationship.' And for me, I thought that day was the best, because we all looked around and said, 'You know what? We either can divide or we can conquer this thing.' And those are the defining moments that are important to an organization. If you think that's the last one, no way. There's no chance that that's the last one. There'll be 50 more ? some a little bit smaller, some a little bit bigger in the evolution of the relationship and the process of leadership. But again, it's about everybody embracing accountability. If we can be accountable for our own actions; help each other as much as we possibly can, we'll get to where we want to get faster.
On making a decision about Oden's contract extension:
We have exclusive rights this summer. And then he'll play next year. And then he'll be restricted. So, any offer that we get, we would be able to match.
We're going to watch his development and help him as much as we can. Look, as the general manager, the best thing that I like is, going into negotiations knowing that a guy has had a great year, and that his future is as bright as it could be. I love that.
We're evolving as a team, but we're also ? two or three years ago, we were trying to add these young pieces; young players who had a lot of upside. And now we're moving into this different era where we're trying to catch guys in their sweet spot; where they're playing their best basketball over the next three or four years. And so it's evolving. And as a manager, you have to change your thinking.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't have the long-term future in my sights. Every day I'm planning. I'm looking at modeling out different things. I'm looking (at) who might be available; who is available; how does that person fit. I mean, we talk about that every day, every single day. And that's that dichotomy of a coach and a general manager. Nate, I'll walk into Nate('s office) and I'll go, 'Hey, what about ... ?' And he'll go, 'I've got practice.' (Laughs) And then he'll come in and say, 'You know, what do you think about today?' And I'll go, 'Nate, I'm thinking about the future.' (Laughs) But the great thing is, we have an amazing amount of respect for each other. I know he's a phenomenal coach. In my opinion, the coach of the year ? but I'm biased ? I think he's done a phenomenal job. But what's great is, I enjoy; it's fun to work. Sometimes you have a natural barrier that a general manager and a coach speak ... one's talking today, and one's talking in the future. But we've never had that. And if there's ever been that, it's been sort of more joking. But it's fun.
Entire article: "Interview: Pritchard discusses the Blazers ?€” part I" by Blazer Banter | The Columbian
On how essential Oden is to the team's big three and the future success of the organization:
With Greg specifically, I've always said to Greg ? and publicly ? the most important thing I care about with Greg is to control what he can control. And that's his habits and that's his work ethic and that's his approach to the game, and that's all those things sort of encompassed. And we're as thrilled as we could be with him. Because he does everything we've ever asked. We've asked him to work extremely hard with his rehab; extremely hard with his weight; with everything. And he's done it, eyes wide open and ready to do it full speed ahead. But ? and we know this for a fact ? when Greg played, we were a different team. You look at his last 20 games, and he was a really special player. He was starting to play at a level that was a top-seven, top-eight player. And that's not just me saying, 'Hey, he's a top-eight, top-10 player.' If you look at his (Player Efficiency Rating), I think he's a top 10. I think he's eight or seven. And that's because in the beginning he was sort of flat, and then he started to ramp it up. If you took his last 20 games ? I don't know what it was ? but it was pretty good. So, we know that he is capable. That's the one thing we know. Our key is, we need to make sure that he does everything that he can, and everything that we can, that helps his body prepare for the 82 games that are in the season, and then into the playoffs. And that's where we can help him, and that's what we're trying to do. But for us ever to be that special team, we're going to have to him. There's no doubt about it. Does it mean we can't do it with other players? No. It's possible. But our best chances are for Greg to be healthy and playing at the last 20 games of this year. Because, again, when he played, he was really special. He come in and affect the game, just himself, in a few spurts and make us completely different. Specifically on the defensive end. But as he progressed offensively, it changed us also.
We felt like we were on our way. We've got a lot of work to do. We've still got to continually say tomorrow's going to be better for us because we're going to work today. If Greg takes that attitude ? which he has ? I see no reason why we won't.
On whether Oden must produce at a high level for a consistent period over time. And, if he doesn't, how that could affect the long-term prospects of the team, considering he was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft:
I guess I would answer that ... we know we have a very special player. And for us to move forward at that elite level, we have to have him playing over a long period of time at his highest level. And, again, it's amazing ? I would call this season the 'Season of Resilience.' Something would knock us back a little bit, and we'd just move two steps forward. Then we'd get knocked back and take two steps forward. And you know what? I really believe in the long run, this makes us a better organization. I was here in the resurgence, and have been around a lot of people. I know everybody in this building today is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. And that's what we have to be. And you're seeing Brandon and LaMarcus; now Andre (Miller) is stepping up in a leadership role; (Marcus) Camby; Juwan (Howard). We're seeing a lot of guys step up and embrace accountability. And I think that's probably the biggest thing for me.
I've always believed this ... when Nate and Andre had (an argument). ... Nate and I had a long conversation, and Andre. And that could've taken us down, or it could've made us better. It's like in a relationship. We've all had relationships where, you're at this inflection point, and something happens. And you either say, 'OK, we're passing it up; let's move on.' Or 'Let's make it stronger and cement the relationship.' And for me, I thought that day was the best, because we all looked around and said, 'You know what? We either can divide or we can conquer this thing.' And those are the defining moments that are important to an organization. If you think that's the last one, no way. There's no chance that that's the last one. There'll be 50 more ? some a little bit smaller, some a little bit bigger in the evolution of the relationship and the process of leadership. But again, it's about everybody embracing accountability. If we can be accountable for our own actions; help each other as much as we possibly can, we'll get to where we want to get faster.
On making a decision about Oden's contract extension:
We have exclusive rights this summer. And then he'll play next year. And then he'll be restricted. So, any offer that we get, we would be able to match.
We're going to watch his development and help him as much as we can. Look, as the general manager, the best thing that I like is, going into negotiations knowing that a guy has had a great year, and that his future is as bright as it could be. I love that.
We're evolving as a team, but we're also ? two or three years ago, we were trying to add these young pieces; young players who had a lot of upside. And now we're moving into this different era where we're trying to catch guys in their sweet spot; where they're playing their best basketball over the next three or four years. And so it's evolving. And as a manager, you have to change your thinking.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't have the long-term future in my sights. Every day I'm planning. I'm looking at modeling out different things. I'm looking (at) who might be available; who is available; how does that person fit. I mean, we talk about that every day, every single day. And that's that dichotomy of a coach and a general manager. Nate, I'll walk into Nate('s office) and I'll go, 'Hey, what about ... ?' And he'll go, 'I've got practice.' (Laughs) And then he'll come in and say, 'You know, what do you think about today?' And I'll go, 'Nate, I'm thinking about the future.' (Laughs) But the great thing is, we have an amazing amount of respect for each other. I know he's a phenomenal coach. In my opinion, the coach of the year ? but I'm biased ? I think he's done a phenomenal job. But what's great is, I enjoy; it's fun to work. Sometimes you have a natural barrier that a general manager and a coach speak ... one's talking today, and one's talking in the future. But we've never had that. And if there's ever been that, it's been sort of more joking. But it's fun.
Entire article: "Interview: Pritchard discusses the Blazers ?€” part I" by Blazer Banter | The Columbian
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